28 Whether in your living room, at the hospital, or in your car: robots are used everywhere today – some of them large, and some quite small. There is no doubt that robotics have the potential to change the world in which we live today. Because of this, knowledge and teaching surrounding this technology is more important than ever. Students at the University of Sheffield in England are learning how to design and build these sophisticated machines with their complex algorithms. Their studies also cover the function of lithium-ion batteries, which serve as essential, advanced energy storage solutions for robots. Robots of all kinds, whether they are designed to walk, roll, or drive, require energy to perform their tasks and achieve sufficient autonomy. In industrial environments, for example, robots are exposed to a wide variety of different loads. This spectrum ranges from hot, moist or dusty production sites to challenging outdoor applications like bomb disposal. Robots designed for entertainment or learning purposes, or for everyday use, have an easier time as they are typically used in clean and heated buildings. Because of this, the energy storage systems they use need to withstand not only various external influences, but also impacts such as shocks, impacts, vibration, pressure, falls or deformation so that they do not pose a hazard for users or the environment. Lithium-ion batteries, therefore, are a good choice for robotics applications. They deliver better performance and faster recharging capability for robots not only due to their small size, which makes them easier to protect against external influences, but also due to their long operating times. Tinkering and experimentation Students at the University of Sheffield investigated and learned about exactly these kinds of correlations in their Robotics coursework. The University of Sheffield is a renowned educational institution known for taking a leading role in academic research and teaching. In addition to a broad range of degree programmes and research activities, the university focuses on innovative technologies and their applications in different areas. The university's Robotics programme allows students to deepen their technical understanding and gain practical experience in developing and controlling robots. In doing so, they learn not only the fundamentals of robotics, but also how to integrate lithium-ion batteries as an efficient energy source for robots. Aspects such as safety and proper battery management also play a key role, as lithium-ion batteries pose particular requirements for handling and storage. “Lithium-ion batteries are a part of our everyday studies, so we are aware of the dangers these batteries pose. The fact that asecos’ safety storage cabinet is fire resistant, allowing us to not only store batteries safely but to charge them as well, made our decision to purchase this asecos product a very easy one” explains James Screaton, Technical Department Manager. University of Sheffield | England MISSION POSSIBLE: LEARNING ROBOTICS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzIzNDY=