Advanced Robotics Applications In Engineering

Micro drones are no longer niche tools — they are becoming a core pillar of surveillance, security, and tactical intelligence across defense, public safety, and critical infrastructure. Have you seen this one? What’s remarkable is not just the capability — it’s the speed of evolution. 📈 The Numbers Behind the Momentum • The global micro-drone market is growing at 16–19% CAGR, with forecasts projecting: • From ~$10B in 2024 to over $24B by 2029 • Small UAV market expected to exceed $11B by 2030 • Defense and surveillance account for one of the largest and fastest-growing segments due to: • Border security expansion • Urban surveillance demand • ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) modernization 🧠 What Changed the Game? Modern micro drones now combine: • AI-powered navigation & object recognition • Real-time video transmission • Autonomous flight and obstacle avoidance • Swarm coordination capabilities • Ultra-miniaturized thermal + optical sensors Some nano-drones weigh under 20 grams, fly for 20–25 minutes, and transmit encrypted HD video over 1.5–2 km, all while operating with extremely low acoustic signatures. This level of capability was military-exclusive just a few years ago. Today, it’s rapidly becoming standard Micro surveillance drones are now actively used for: • Tactical reconnaissance in conflict zones • Law enforcement situational awareness • Crowd monitoring & perimeter security • Disaster response in collapsed or dangerous environments • Critical infrastructure inspection (energy, transport, telecom) At the tactical level, they allow frontline units to “see first” before entering hostile or uncertain environments — reducing risk and improving decision speed. 🤖 The Rise of Swarm Intelligence One of the most disruptive developments is coordinated micro-drone swarms: • Multiple drones operating as a single intelligent system • Real-time terrain mapping • Autonomous target identification • Dynamic mission adaptation This shifts surveillance from isolated viewpoints to distributed intelligence networks in the air. ⚠️ The Strategic Challenge With power comes responsibility. Micro drone surveillance forces critical conversations around: • Privacy and civil liberties • Airspace governance • Ethical deployment • Counter-drone defense systems • Digital sovereignty At the same time, governments and enterprises are investing heavily in anti-drone and RF-neutralization technologies, signaling that the drone vs counter-drone race has already begun. #Drones #SurveillanceTechnology #DefenseTech #AI #AutonomousSystems #SecurityInnovation #FutureOfSurveillance

⚡Most Used PLCs in Industry – A Complete Overview ⚡ Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are the backbone of industrial automation, controlling machinery, production lines, and complex processes with precision and reliability. Different vendors offer unique strengths, making them widely adopted across industries worldwide. 1. Siemens 🔹PLC Models: S7-1200, S7-1500, S7-300/400, LOGO! 🔹Programming Software: TIA Portal 🔹Key Features: Highly reliable, modular & scalable with strong HMI/drive integration, excellent diagnostics & troubleshooting. 🔹Protocols: PROFINET, PROFIBUS, Modbus TCP/IP, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, AS-i, IO-Link. 2. Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation) 🔹PLC Models: MicroLogix, CompactLogix, ControlLogix 🔹Programming Software: Studio 5000 / RSLogix 🔹Key Features: Very popular in North America, great for ladder logic, seamless integration with Rockwell products. 🔹Protocols: EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, ControlNet, Modbus TCP/IP, DF1, DH+, OPC UA. 3. Mitsubishi 🔹PLC Models: FX5U, Q Series, iQ-R Series 🔹Programming Software: GX Works / GX Developer 🔹Key Features: High-speed processing, strong in motion control, compact & cost-effective for small to medium automation. 🔹Protocols: CC-Link, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, PROFIBUS, OPC UA. 4. Omron 🔹PLC Models: CP1E, CJ2, NX1P, NJ Series 🔹Programming Software: Sysmac Studio / CX-Programmer 🔹Key Features: Easy integration with sensors, safety devices & vision systems, suitable for robotics & multi-axis motion. 🔹Protocols: EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, OPC UA, PROFIBUS. 5. Schneider Electric 🔹PLC Models: Modicon M221, M241, M251, M340, M580 🔹Programming Software: EcoStruxure Machine Expert 🔹Key Features: Rugged for harsh environments, integrated energy management, scalable. 🔹Protocols: Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU, CANopen, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, PROFIBUS, EtherCAT. 6. ABB 🔹PLC Models: AC500, PM500, PM580 🔹Programming Software: Automation Builder 🔹Key Features: Modular & scalable, strong in utilities, robotics & marine applications. 🔹Protocols: Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, CANopen. 7. Delta 🔹PLC Models: DVP Series, AH Series 🔹Programming Software: WPLSoft / ISPSoft 🔹Key Features: Cost-effective, compact, and energy-efficient for basic automation. 🔹Protocols: Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU, EtherNet/IP, CANopen, RS-232/485. 8. Beckhoff 🔹PLC Models: CX Series (Embedded PCs), TwinCAT PLCs 🔹Programming Software: TwinCAT 3 🔹Key Features: PC-based control with very high performance, strong in motion control, CNC, and IoT applications. 🔹Protocols: EtherCAT (primary), Modbus TCP/IP, OPC UA, EtherNet/IP, PROFIBUS. #PLC #IndustrialAutomation #Siemens #AllenBradley #Mitsubishi #Omron #SchneiderElectric #ABB #Delta #Beckhoff #Automation #Manufacturing #Industry40 #SmartFactory #ControlSystems #Engineering

Octopus-Inspired Robots: Nature's Design Solves Industry's Toughest Challenges Fascinating developments in soft robotics are revolutionizing how machines interact with complex environments. Tentacle-inspired robots - with their flexible, adaptable appendages - are solving challenges traditional rigid robots cannot. These biomimetic systems excel at: Handling delicate objects without damage Navigating tight or irregular spaces Working safely alongside humans Just visited a manufacturing facility implementing octopus-inspired grippers that can handle everything from microchips to produce. The precision is remarkable! Engineers are finding inspiration in nature's designs that evolved over millions of years. These flexible systems represent not just technological advancement, but a fundamental shift in how we think about machine-environment interaction. What applications do you see for tentacle-based robotics in your industry? The possibilities seem endless. #FutureOfRobotics #BiomimeticDesign #TechInnovation #SoftRobotics

Imagine smarter robots for your business. New research from Google puts advanced Gemini AI directly into robots, which can now understand complex instructions, perform intricate physical tasks with dexterity (like assembly) and adapt to new objects or situations in real time. The paper introduces "Gemini Robotics," a family of AI models based on Google's Gemini 2.0, designed specifically for robotics. They present Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models capable of direct robot control, performing complex, dexterous manipulation tasks smoothly and reactively. The models demonstrate generalization to unseen objects and environments and can follow open-vocabulary instructions. It also introduces "Gemini Robotics-ER" for enhanced embodied reasoning (spatial/temporal understanding, detection, prediction), bridging the gap between large multimodal models and physical robot interaction. Here's why this matters: At scale, this will unlock more flexible, intelligent automation for the future of manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and more, potentially boosting efficiency and enabling tasks previously too complex for robots as we've imagined in the past. Very, very promising! (Link in the comments.)

Physical AI is the next step forward for manufacturing performance. At WNE, I met "Hoxo", the humanoid robot developed by Capgemini and Orano, shows what the future could look like. Deployed at the Orano Melox École des Métiers in the Gard region of France, Hoxo is the first intelligent humanoid robot in the nuclear sector, able to replicate human movements and work safely alongside teams. With real-time perception, autonomous navigation, execution of technical gestures, and sophisticated interaction, stepping forward will be the least of its capabilities. This project, led by our AI Robotics & Experiences Lab with the expertise of Orano's on-site teams, embodies the convergence of robotics, artificial intelligence, computer vision, and digital twins to offer a scalable robotic platform to enhance industrial performance and potentially support operators through robotic assistance. Watch the full video below to discover why this is a major step forward for a strategic industry that has long been a pioneer in innovation. Pascal Brier

Discover the backstage of our Sim-to-Real Transfer for AI #robotics. At Capgemini's #AI Robotics & Experiences Lab, we train our robots entirely in virtual environments – allowing them to master complex tasks before ever interacting with the real world. Why it matters: - #Cost efficiency – no wear-and-tear, no downtime - Accelerated development cycles – rapid iterations from testing to deployment - #Scalability – generalises across diverse real-world conditions - #Safety – especially in high-risk domains like nuclear operations or autonomous vehicles - Human-AI collaboration – robots trained in simulation to assist with tasks that require physical interaction This is how we bridge the gap between digital models and physical reality. Bringing intelligent robotics closer to everyday enterprise.

🤖Robot of the week - M4 Multi-Modal Mobility Morphobotl 🤖 ➡️ What? Why? How? And what can we learn? ➡️ What - This robot can roll, crawl, jump, walk, and even fly, making it capable of navigating various terrains with ease. The robot's flexibility allows it to intelligently adapt its locomotion based on the terrain. It can roll on four wheels for efficiency, stand on two wheels to see over obstacles, or reconfigure into rotors to fly over ravines. Applications include search and rescue, defense & others.  ➡️ Why - Traditionally multi-modal systems have not been scalable. The greater the flexibility, the more components required. More parts = more weight, more cost, more complexity. These factors have limited multi-modal systems' viability outside the lab ➡️ How - The M4 takes cues from nature: the team was inspired by chukar birds' ability to repurpose their wings from flight to quadrupedal walking and wing-assisted incline running. M4 copies this approach - enabling mass to be shared across modes and different components to work together. E.g aerodynamic lift can be used to manipulate contact friction and traction forces in wheeled mobility and allow steep slope locomotion, ➡️ What can we learn? The simplest solution wins. There are lots of cool robots in the lab but very few of these survive in the real world due to complexity...The easiest way to cut complexity - cut parts.  This paper highlights 2 lessons -  1) Multifunctional design is a great way to simplify and reduce parts 2) Don't reinvent the wheel (or robot) ... just copy nature To learn more check out the research paper - https://lnkd.in/erZSYAUP

Unlocking Focus: A Simple Framework To Prioritise The Initiatives That Matter I facilitated a workshop with the leadership team of one of my technology clients yesterday, where we focused on a critical challenge: how do we prioritise outcomes over hours to maximise effectiveness? The solution? A simple but powerful tool I've relied on for years, which I learned during my time at General Electric (GE) - the Ease/Impact Matrix. Here's why it works so brilliantly: We often gravitate toward quick wins without considering their actual value. This matrix forces the team to evaluate everything through two critical lenses: ✅ High Impact + High Ease = Quick Wins (do immediately, gain momentum) ✅ High Impact + Low Ease = Long-term Bets (worth the investment) ❌ Low Impact + Low Ease = Avoid at All Costs ❓ Low Impact + High Ease = Question Why (just because we can, should we?) By reorienting around impact, we focused on what will truly benefit their business both immediately and in the long run. Sometimes the simplest tools create the most profound shifts. What frameworks have you found most valuable for prioritisation? #OutcomesOverHours

This week's defining shift for me is that creating 3D data is getting much simpler. New tools are turning everyday inputs like smartphone video, single photos, and text prompts into usable 3D environments and assets. This lowers the barrier to building the scenes, objects, and spaces that robotics, simulation, and immersive content rely on. It also shifts 3D creation from a specialized skill to something all teams can generate quickly and at the scale modern spatial systems require. This week’s news surfaced signals like these: 🤖 Parallax Worlds raised $4.9 million to turn standard video into digital twins for robotics testing. The platform turns basic walkthrough videos into interactive 3D spaces that teams can use to run their robot software and see how it performs before sending anything into the field. 🪑 Meta introduced SAM 3D to reconstruct objects and people from single images, producing full-textured meshes even when subjects are partly hidden or shot from difficult angles. The models were trained using real-world data and a staged process to improve accuracy. 🌏 Meta unveiled WorldGen, a research tool that generates full 3D worlds from text prompts. It produces complete, navigable spaces that can be used in Unity or Unreal and shows how AI can create environments without manual modeling. Why this matters: Faster 3D pipelines expand who can build, test, and refine spatial ideas. They turn 3D creation from a bottleneck into a regular part of development, which opens the door to more experimentation and better decisions earlier in the process. #robotics #digitaltwins #simulation #VR #AR #virtualreality #spatialcomputing #physicalAI #AI #3D

Yesterday, we explored Synthetic Interoception and how robots might gain self-awareness. Today, we shift focus to physical intelligence: how robots can achieve the touch and finesse of human hands. Rigid machines are precise but lack delicacy. Humans, on the other hand, easily manipulate fragile objects, thanks to our bodies' softness and sensitivity. Soft-body Tactile Dexterity Systems integrate soft, flexible materials with advanced tactile sensing, granting robots the ability to: ⭐ Adapt to Object Shapes: Conform to and securely grasp items of diverse forms. ⭐ Handle Fragile Items: Apply appropriate force to prevent damage. ⭐ Perform Complex Manipulations: Execute tasks requiring nuanced movements and adjustments. Robots can achieve a new level of dexterity by emulating the compliance and sensory feedback of human skin and muscles. 🤖 Caregiver: A soft-handed robot supports elderly individuals and handles personal items with gentle precision. 🤖 Harvester: A robot picks ripe tomatoes without bruising them in a greenhouse, using tactile sensing to gauge ripeness. 🤖 Surgical Assistant: In the OR, a robot holds tissues delicately with soft instruments, improving access and reducing trauma. These are some recent relevant research papers on the topic: 📚 Soft Robotic Hand with Tactile Palm-Finger Coordination (Nature Communications, 2025): https://lnkd.in/g_XRnGGa 📚 Bi-Touch: Bimanual Tactile Manipulation (arXiv, 2023): https://lnkd.in/gbJSpSDu 📚 GelSight EndoFlex Hand (arXiv, 2023): https://lnkd.in/g-JTUd2b These are some examples of translating research into real-world applications: 🚀 Figure AI: Their Helix system enables humanoid robots to perform complex tasks using natural language commands and real-time visual processing. https://lnkd.in/gj6_N3MN 🚀 Shadow Robot Company: Developers of the Shadow Dexterous Hand, a robotic hand that mimics the human hand's size and movement, featuring advanced tactile sensing for precise manipulation. https://lnkd.in/gbpmdMG4 🚀 Toyota Research Institute's Punyo: Introduced 'Punyo,' a soft robot with air-filled 'bubbles' providing compliance and tactile sensing, combining traditional robotic precision with soft robotics' adaptability. https://lnkd.in/gyedaK65 The journey toward widespread adoption is progressing: 1–3 years: Implementation in controlled environments like manufacturing and assembly lines, where repetitive tasks are structured. 4–6 years: Expansion into dynamic healthcare and domestic assistance settings requiring advanced adaptability and safety measures. Robots are poised to perform tasks with unprecedented dexterity and sensitivity by integrating soft materials and tactile sensing, bringing us closer to seamless human-robot collaboration. Next up: Cognitive World Modeling for Autonomous Agents.