In today’s rapid development of science and technology, robotics has been widely used in various fields. Industrial robots and service robots, as two important branches of the robotics industry, each assume a key role in manufacturing and daily life services. As the core power source of robots, the performance of batteries directly affects the efficiency and application range of robots. Since industrial robots and service robots have significant differences in application scenarios and work requirements, their battery needs are also different. This difference has prompted robot battery manufacturers to develop a targeted layout strategy to meet the needs of different areas.
1. Battery demand for industrial robots
1.1 High Energy Density Requirements
Industrial robots are often required to work continuously for long periods of time in factory environments, performing high-intensity tasks such as material handling, welding and assembly. To reduce charging frequency and increase productivity, these robots urgently need high energy density batteries that can store more power in a limited size and weight. For example, in automotive manufacturing plants, large handling robots need to continuously move parts weighing hundreds of kilograms. High energy density lithium battery for robots allow robots to run for hours on a single charge, dramatically improving the smoothness of the production line.
1.2 High power output capability
Industrial robots in the start, acceleration and emergency stops and other moments, the battery needs to provide a strong current, which requires the battery has a high power output capacity. Take the high-speed stamping robot as an example, the instantaneous acceleration of its work is very great. If the battery is unable to output enough power in time, the robot’s precision and speed will be affected, which in turn affects product quality and production progress. Therefore, battery technology that can instantaneously release high power, such as lithium iron phosphate batteries, is used in many industrial scenarios.
1.3 Long cycle life and stability
Industrial production has strict requirements for the long-term stable operation of equipment, and industrial robot batteries are no exception. Long cycle life means that the battery is still able to maintain high performance after multiple charging and discharging, thus reducing the frequency of replacement and lowering maintenance costs. In addition, battery stability is critical. In complex industrial environments, such as high temperatures, high humidity and electromagnetic interference, batteries must be able to deliver a stable output of power to ensure that the robot remains in proper working order at all times.
2. Battery requirements for service robots
2.1 Safety is paramount
Service robots often work in environments where they are in close contact with humans, especially in places where safety requirements are extremely high, such as household cleaning robots and medical care robots, such as home cleaning robots and medical care robots. Therefore, the safety performance of the battery becomes the primary consideration. Batteries must have overcharge, overdischarge, and overheating protection to prevent hazards such as fire or explosion and to safeguard the user’s personal and property safety. Some service robots use solid-state battery technology, the electrolyte is solid, compared with the traditional liquid lithium batteries, significantly reducing the leakage and short circuit and other safety risks.
2.2 Adapt to diversified shapes and sizes
Service robots have different forms, from small and portable educational companion robots to large commercial service robots, with great differences in size and shape. This requires that the battery can be flexibly adapted to the space layout of different robots. Customizable soft pack batteries are popular in the field of service robots because they can be bent and folded according to the shape of the robot’s internal space, making full use of the limited space while ensuring that the service robot battery’s performance is not affected.
2.3 Balancing endurance and fast charging
The working scenarios of service robots are usually intermittent, but the working time is variable each time. In order to meet the immediate needs of users, the battery needs to have a good range, but also needs to support rapid charging. For example, a delivery robot that travels through a city to make deliveries and is able to charge quickly during short breaks will significantly improve delivery efficiency and reduce waiting time. Battery technologies that support fast charging, such as lithium batteries with fast charging protocols, are becoming an important direction in the development of service robot batteries.
3. Battery manufacturers layout strategy
3.1 Technology R & D direction differentiation
For the different battery needs of industrial robots and service robots, the R&D strategies of battery manufacturers are obviously differentiated. For industrial robots, the focus is on research and development of high energy density, high power output and long cycle life battery technology, optimization of existing battery materials, such as exploring the application of new positive and negative electrode materials and hydrogen fuel cells. For service robots, the R&D focuses on improving battery safety, optimizing form factor flexibility and fast charging technology to meet their special needs by improving battery structure and developing new safe electrolytes.
3.2 Market segmentation and customer customization
Robot battery supplier segment the market according to the characteristics of industrial and service robots to provide customized solutions. For industrial robot manufacturers, they provide one-stop services from battery selection to after-sales maintenance to ensure that battery packs are perfectly matched with equipment. In the service robot market, we work closely with design teams and participate in battery program planning from the early stages of product design to improve overall performance and user experience.
3.3 Strategic cooperation and industrial synergy
In order to adapt to the development of the robotics industry, battery manufacturers actively seek strategic cooperation with upstream and downstream enterprises. In the industrial field, cooperation with automation equipment manufacturers and automobile manufacturers to accelerate the application and promotion of new battery technology. In service robots, they integrate resources with Internet technology and smart home enterprises to accurately grasp market demand, optimize product design and production, achieve industrial synergy and enhance competitiveness.
Industrial robots and service robots exhibit very different battery requirements due to significant differences in application scenarios and work characteristics. The core requirements of industrial robots for batteries include high energy density, high power output and long cycle life; while service robots emphasize safety performance, form-fit and a balance between endurance and fast charging. Battery manufacturers have developed targeted layout strategies based on these differentiated needs, covering technology research and development, market segmentation and industrial cooperation. With the continuous development of the robotics industry, the innovation of battery technology and the optimization of manufacturers’ layout will continue to promote industrial robots and service robots to a new stage of higher performance and wider application, thus bringing more changes and convenience to the development of various industries and people’s lives.