—— Zhou Xiaopeng, founder of Rui Massive Open Network Course

The development level of domestic robots mainly refers to the technical level.

It is unrealistic to simply judge how many years there are differences. In fact, the development level of robots should be analyzed from the following aspects.

I. Control system

1. Control chip and basic software.

From the control system chips and basic software used, there is not much difference between robots all over the world and even control products. Even the system chips and basic software used by domestic control system manufacturers are better than those of foreign brands. The reason is very simple, because foreign products are developed earlier, and the technology used by domestic brands will be relatively new.

2. Robot operating system.

After several years of technology accumulation, foreign robots often form their own bottom robot operating system (hardware-based robot control software system). Many foreign second-tier brands are not necessarily the same, and many of them are based on general real-time operating systems, such as VxWorks, linux+rtruntime and so on. There is no technical breakthrough in this field in China, and the third-party real-time kernel operating system is basically used, and cutting linux is the most common. This shows that the accumulation of domestic robot R&D manufacturers is not sufficient, but it cannot be said that the technology adopted is backward.

3. Robot algorithm and underlying driver software

In this respect, the basic theories used all over the world are exactly the same. However, with the development of artificial intelligence technology, many foreign manufacturers have applied artificial intelligence technology to robot products, but we have not yet reached this step. From the point of view of pure technology, the dating of robots can be divided into three stages (please refer to the article of Academician Jiang Xinsong in the first issue of the first volume of Robotics): the first generation is called teaching and reproducing robot; The second generation is a robot combined with sensing technology; The third generation is cognitive robot.

Domestic robot technology basically covers the first generation of industrial robots; When domestic industrial robots have been able to make them have sensor sensing ability through vision, force perception and other technologies, they can be called the second generation industrial robots. Domestic industrial robots are basically in this dating period; Foreign robots, such as Fanuc, have been able to use deep learning algorithms to automatically learn their own behaviors and constantly adjust their own behaviors. This is the application of cognitive technology in robots. Regarding this technology, domestic robots have never been able to touch it.

4. In the development of robot process software.

Robot is actually a software product, and software development related to technology is the key to determine whether the robot is easy to use.

What is process-related software? For example, people have heads, brains and limbs. What is the difference between people? But we have different ideas. Some people learn welding technology and know welding technology, so they become welding technicians. Some people don't understand these things, but they can move bricks and be porters. This is people's technical adaptability. For robots, the adaptability of these processes is expressed by software. That is, process software, welding software for industrial robots and so on.

The development of process-related software is the biggest disadvantage of domestic robots. There is a simple reason. After half a century's accumulation, foreign major robot brands have not caught up in process understanding and function optimization. Therefore, we can see that even foreign second-tier brands, such as OTC, Coma and Toure, mainly win the market in a certain process field. So when talking about the breakthrough of China robot brand, I have always stressed that we must make a breakthrough in a certain technical field and occupy a certain industry to find a way out.

Two. Transmission system

The biggest problem of domestic robot in driving system is that it can't form an integrated design and implementation with control system. Drivers are sold to robot manufacturers, and controllers of robot manufacturers are often bought. From the point of view of integrated design of drive and control, many control channels and mathematical models are difficult to realize.

This is not the problem of control equipment and driving equipment itself, but the problem of control method, which is also related to software. In the final analysis, it is still a software problem.

Three. The so-called reducer problem

I don't think there is any problem in this regard. Even the largest robot in the world uses Nabotsk's reducer.

If Nabotsk's reducer is used all over the world and they don't feel that they don't master 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, but a problem of robot output of domestic robot manufacturers. Due to the small output of robots, domestic robot manufacturers often do not have the conditions to customize 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 general motors, the parameters such as inertia, current and torque output response ability cannot be optimized, so we can see that domestic robots use larger motors than foreign ones in order to meet the maximum load and speed parameters.

Another disadvantage of this is that the load-to-weight ratio of the robot will be further increased.

Verb (abbreviation for verb) mechanical body

There are two main aspects to be analyzed in mechanical ontology.

1. material. The brands of materials currently used are basically the same. For example, American standard A356 or corresponding national brand, such as ZL 10 1 or ZL10/A, is generally used for aluminum casting. Joint arm, a big robot, generally adopts nodular cast iron. Except funac, robots of other big brands have basically achieved localization;

2. Design and manufacturing process. Mechanical design is the visible part, which can be basically solved through imitation research. But there are still some questions about how to know, for example, the most common mechanical problems: oil leakage, oil seal design, transmission clearance, mechanical stiffness and so on.

6. Robot production technology and quality control

This is a relative shortcoming of domestic robot enterprises. Because the batch is still small, it is difficult to realize assembly line and standardized production mode, and the reliability of the process mainly depends on the technical level of skilled workers. Now there are fewer craftsmen in our big country, and the first-line production is all young people. In the case of imperfect standardized production technology and technology, the quality consistency will be worse.

Of course, it is not surprising that any industry will go through this stage. It can also be overcome gradually.

This article was written by Mr. Zhou Shuopeng, the founder of Rui Massive Open Online Course, in Zhihu's reply. Subsequently, the official WeChat account (aiimooc), an online course opened by Rui Massive, was officially released. Please indicate the source of professional discussion and forwarding. For more information, please refer to the official website of Rui Massive Open Online Course: www.