Short answer

When developing complex robotic systems, prioritize the integration of existing, proven commercial components and open-source software to achieve rapid development and cost-effectiveness.

Field: Commercial Production
Source: OhioLink ETD Center (Ohio Library and Information Network) (2013)
Method: System Development and Demonstration
Evidence: Strong effect

Integrating commercially available hardware and open-source software significantly accelerates the creation of functional robotic systems for industrial applications. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2013 study published in OhioLink ETD Center (Ohio Library and Information Network). Using System development and demonstration, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When developing complex robotic systems, prioritize the integration of existing, proven commercial components and open-source software to achieve rapid development and cost-effectiveness.

Study

Commercial ProductionHigh ImpactStrong effect

Leveraging Off-the-Shelf Components Dramatically Reduces Mobile Manipulator Development Time and Cost

Integrating commercially available hardware and open-source software significantly accelerates the creation of functional robotic systems for industrial applications.

OhioLink ETD Center (Ohio Library and Information Network) · 2013

Key Findings

01A functional mobile manipulator can be assembled quickly using readily available commercial parts.
02Open-source software facilitates integration and reduces development overhead.
03The resulting platform is suitable for research in autonomous industrial tasks.

Application

Design takeaway

When developing complex robotic systems, prioritize the integration of existing, proven commercial components and open-source software to achieve rapid development and cost-effectiveness.

How to apply

When designing a new robotic system, conduct a thorough audit of available commercial components and open-source software that meet functional requirements before considering custom development.

Project actions

01Research existing robotic platforms and components that can be adapted for your project's needs.
02Explore open-source software libraries for control, navigation, and computer vision to save development time.

Method & Evidence

AimCan a robust mobile manipulator research platform be rapidly developed at low cost by utilizing commercially available hardware and open-source software?

MethodSystem Development and Demonstration

ProcedureThe project involved selecting and integrating mass-produced robotic components, sensors, and processing units into a cohesive mobile manipulator system. The system's capabilities were then demonstrated through basic navigation and manipulation tasks in a controlled environment.

ContextRobotics, Industrial Automation, Research Platforms

Variables

IVUse of commercially available hardware and open-source software

DVDevelopment time and cost of the mobile manipulator

CVComplexity of the target tasks (navigation and manipulation), laboratory environment

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Demonstrates a practical, cost-effective approach to building complex robotic systems.
+Highlights the synergy between hardware selection and software integration.

Limitations

The availability and compatibility of COTS components can be a constraint, and integration may still require significant engineering effort.

Reliability & validity

The validity of the findings is supported by the successful demonstration of the system's capabilities. Reliability would depend on the robustness of the chosen COTS components and the integration process.

Think critically

To what extent does relying on COTS components limit innovation in novel robotic functionalities compared to a fully custom-designed system?

Design Principles

"Accelerated development of complex systems is achievable through strategic integration of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and open-source solutions."

This approach allows design teams to bypass lengthy custom component development, enabling faster iteration and deployment of complex robotic solutions. It democratizes access to advanced robotics, making sophisticated research platforms more attainable.

What This Means for Your Design

You can build cool robots faster and cheaper by using parts that are already made for other things and free software.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when justifying the choice of using commercial components or open-source software in your design project to reduce development time and cost.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The development of the ABBY mobile manipulator by Venator (2013) highlights the efficacy of leveraging commercially available mass-produced hardware and open-source software to rapidly create robust research platforms at a reduced cost. This approach significantly accelerates the realization of complex robotic systems by minimizing custom component development and focusing on integration and intelligent functionality, a strategy applicable to various design projects aiming for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Source

OhioLink ETD Center (Ohio Library and Information Network)

A Low-cost Mobile Manipulator for Industrial and Research Applications

journal · 2013

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about leveraging off-the-shelf components dramatically reduces mobile manipulator development time and cost?: When developing complex robotic systems, prioritize the integration of existing, proven commercial components and open-source software to achieve rapid development and cost-effectiveness. Evidence: OhioLink ETD Center (Ohio Library and Information Network) (2013).
Why does "Leveraging Off-the-Shelf Components Dramatically Reduces Mobile Manipulator Development Time and Cost" matter for design?: This approach allows design teams to bypass lengthy custom component development, enabling faster iteration and deployment of complex robotic solutions. It democratizes access to advanced robotics, making sophisticated research platforms more attainable.
How can designers apply this research?: When developing complex robotic systems, prioritize the integration of existing, proven commercial components and open-source software to achieve rapid development and cost-effectiveness.
What were the main findings?: A functional mobile manipulator can be assembled quickly using readily available commercial parts.. Open-source software facilitates integration and reduces development overhead.. The resulting platform is suitable for research in autonomous industrial tasks.
What research method was used?: System Development and Demonstration.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2013 journal from OhioLink ETD Center (Ohio Library and Information Network).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing a new robotic system, conduct a thorough audit of available commercial components and open-source software that meet functional requirements before considering custom development.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on a laboratory setting, and real-world industrial deployment may present additional challenges not addressed. The specific performance benchmarks of the custom-integrated system compared to fully custom-built systems were not extensively detailed.