With rapid advancements in robotics technology, persistent labor shortages and an aging population, there is a growing demand for humanoid robots and exoskeletons that offer enhanced efficiency and performance. Humanoids and exoskeletons have large potential value in diverse applications, including healthcare, manufacturing, construction and customer-service sectors. Highly efficient, precise and powerful electric motors are needed to help replicate human-like movements accurately and enhance natural human capabilities
Prioritizing performance, robotics startups often defer cost and scalability considerations. Controlling the cost aspect of SWaP-C (size, weight, power and cost) poses several challenges. To meet evolving requirements and ensure commercial viability, selecting the right motion solution becomes crucial.
In this session, speakers address three critical questions to help engineers select the optimal motor design and size for their robots:
- What are the challenges associated with developing humanoids and exoskeletons for mobile applications?
- How does choosing the right motion solutions address these challenges, especially when scaling to commercial production while maintaining cost viability?
- How can you specify the proper permanent-magnet motor to improve efficiency and operating time?
About the Presenter(s)
Tom S. Wood, a 40+ year veteran in high-performance motion, has integrated motion control solutions as a machine designer, manufacturer’s representative, High-Tech distributor, and as a Kollmorgen Motion Control Product Specialist. He has extensive experience designing next-generation motion systems for the aerospace and defense industry as well as for robotics applications that improve everything from workplace safety to patient mobility. Tom enjoys helping engineers understand how to enhance their projects through frameless technology that delivers high performance in a compact form.
Kyle Hanley is the West Coast area sales manager for Kollmorgen, specializing in the robotics, medical, and aerospace and defense industries. With a background in applications engineering, he helps customers select, integrate and optimize the right motion technologies to meet their exact requirements in applications ranging from surgical to agricultural robotics and from packaging machinery to defense systems. Kyle holds a degree in mechatronics engineering from California State University, Chico.