1. Control system
1. Control chip and basic software
In terms of the control system chips and basic software used, robots around the world and even expanded to control products are not much different. Even the system chips and basic software used by Chinese control system developers are better than those used by foreign brands. Chip or basic software. The reason is very simple, because foreign product development is relatively early, and the technology used by domestic brands in the late start will be relatively new.
2. Robot operating system
After several years of technological accumulation, foreign robots often form their own underlying robot operating system (hardware-based robot control software system). Many second-tier brands abroad are not necessarily, many are also based on common real-time operating systems, such as VxWorks, linux+rtruntime, etc. China has not been able to complete technological breakthroughs in this regard, and basically all use third-party real-time kernel operating systems, and cutting Linux is the most common. This shows that the accumulation of domestic robot R&D manufacturers is not very sufficient, but it cannot be said that the technology used is backward.
3. Robot algorithm and underlying driver software
In this regard, the basic theories used all over the world are exactly the same. However, with the development of artificial intelligence technology, many foreign manufacturers have already applied artificial intelligence technology to robot products, but we have not yet reached this point. From a purely technical point of view, the dating of robots is divided into three stages (see Academician Jiang Xinsong's article in the first issue of the first volume of "Robots"): the first generation is called a teaching reproduction robot; the second generation is a combination of perception Technical robots; the third generation is cognitive robots.
Domestic robot technology basically covers the first generation of industrial robots; when domestic industrial robots can already be equipped with sensor perception capabilities through vision and force perception technologies, they can be called second generation industrial robots. Domestic industrial robots are basically in this era; foreign robots such as Fanuc have been able to use deep learning algorithms to automatically learn the behavior of the robot itself and continuously adjust its behavior. This is the application of cognitive technology to robots. Regarding this technology, domestic robots have not yet been able to reach.
4. In terms of robotic process software development
The robot is actually a software product, and the software development related to the process is the key to determining whether the robot is easy to use.
What is process-related software? For example, people have a head, brain and limbs. What is the difference between people? It’s because we have different minds. Some people have learned welding technology and know the welding process, and then they become welding technicians; some people don’t understand these, but they can move bricks and become porters. This is how people adapt to technology. Sex. For robots, the adaptability of these processes is expressed through software. That is process software, for industrial robots, welding software, etc.
The development of process-related software is the biggest disadvantage of domestic robots. The reason is very simple. After half a century of accumulation of major foreign robot brands, the understanding of process and the optimization of functions are not what we can catch up with. Therefore, we see that even foreign second-tier brands, such as OTC, Comau, Dürr, etc., mainly win the market in a certain process field. Therefore, when talking about the breakthrough of Chinese robot brands, I have always emphasized that it is necessary to make a breakthrough in a certain technological field and occupy a certain industry to find a way out.
2. Drive system
In terms of drive system, the biggest problem with domestic robots is that they cannot form an integrated design and implementation with the control system. They sell the drives to the robot manufacturers, and the robot manufacturers often buy the controllers from the perspective of integrated drive and control design. , Many control channels and mathematical models are difficult to implement.
This is not the problem of the control device and the drive device itself, but the problem of the control method. These problems are also software. It still boils down to a software problem.
3. The so-called reducer problem
I think there is no problem in this regard, even the world's largest robots use Nabtesco reducers.
If the world uses Nabtesco reducers and does not feel that they have not mastered the core technology of robots, then there is no need for domestic robots to entangle this problem.
Four. Motor problem
This is not a problem of domestic robots. For domestic robot manufacturers, it is a problem of robot output. Due to the small output of robots, domestic robot manufacturers often do not have the conditions for customizing motors according to the power requirements of robots like mainstream manufacturers, because the cost of customizing motors is too high when the batch is small.
When using a general-purpose motor, the motor's inertia, current, torque output response ability and other parameters are often not optimized. Therefore, we see that domestic robots use more motors than foreign motors in order to meet the maximum load and speed parameters. Bigger.
Another disadvantage of this is that the load-to-weight ratio of the robot will further increase.
5. Mechanical body
The main part of the machine body must be analyzed in two aspects.
1. Materials. The grades of materials used today are basically similar. For example, cast aluminum generally adopts American standard A356, or the corresponding national standard grades, such as ZL101 or ZL101A; large robot joint arms generally use ductile iron. In addition to funac, robots of other major brands have basically achieved localization;
2. Design and machining process. Mechanical design is the visible part, which can basically be solved by imitating research. But there are some know how issues to be clarified. For example, the most common problems in machinery: oil leakage, oil seal design, transmission clearance, mechanical stiffness, etc.
6. Robotic production process and quality control
This is a relatively shortcoming of domestic robot companies. Due to the small batch size, it is difficult to achieve assembly lines and standardized production modes. Process reliability mainly depends on the technical level of skilled workers. Now there are fewer artisans in our big countries, and the first-line production is young people. In the case of standardized production processes and techniques, the quality consistency will be worse.
Of course, it is not surprising that any industry will go through this stage. It can be overcome gradually.
