Summary of Key Points
Robots are moving from laboratories and exhibition halls to real industrial settings such as factories, but the reliability and lifespan of their core components—especially their dexterous hands—have become major obstacles. For instance, a dexterous hand may fail after just 50 attempts at gripping a 5-kilogram object, far from meeting the industry's requirement of enduring tens of thousands of cycles without failure. Additionally, the supply chain is not yet mature, resulting in components that do not meet standards and high costs. As a result, companies are forced to adopt compromise solutions (such as three-finger dexterous hands) or have engineers on-site to monitor production processes. The maturation of the supply chain is crucial for the widespread adoption and cost reduction of robots.
1. Dexterous Hands: Fragile Components in Industrial Settings
For robots to be effective in factories, their hands need to be durable and robust. However, current dexterous hands fall short of these requirements. For example, the high-end dexterous hands used by Wang Hao’s company fail after just 50 attempts at gripping a 5-kilogram object, whereas industrial applications demand they can withstand tens of thousands of cycles without failure (as rapid production rhythms mean that a single failure can cause significant delays). Experts from Jizhijia note that robots in warehouses handle up to 8,000-10,000 gripping actions per day, but the lifespan of current high-end dexterous hands is only 300,000-500,000 cycles, which means they need to be replaced within a month—especially for those with limited mobility (such as two-finger models). Although some claim that failures after 50 cycles are isolated incidents, the industry generally acknowledges that lifespan is a significant issue.
2. The Trade-off Between Flexibility and Durability
Dexterous hands designed to perform complex tasks (e.g., gripping objects of various shapes) require more complex structures, which make them more prone to failure. On the other hand, simpler designs offer greater durability but limit the robot’s ability to perform precise tasks. The attractive five-finger dexterous hands displayed at exhibitions are expensive and not practical for factories, as two-finger grippers, while durable, can only handle simple shapes and cannot handle the vast variety of goods (SKUs) found in warehouses. It is currently difficult to achieve both flexibility and durability in one design.
3. Companies’ Compromise Solutions: Three-Finger Dexterous Hands
To balance flexibility and durability, many companies are adopting three-finger dexterous hands as a middle ground. These hands can grip more types of objects than two-finger models and have more space for durable components (such as better motors and stronger cables), effectively addressing the lifespan issue. This is similar to choosing a smartphone with moderate specifications that offers both good performance and a decent battery life.
4. The Supply Chain as a Barrier: Unmet Component Standards
The supply chains for core robot components (e.g., dexterous hands and motors) are not yet fully developed, making it challenging for companies to obtain parts that meet all requirements. For example, when Zhiyuan Robotics introduced its products into factories, it found that the initial components did not meet performance, production capacity, or quality standards. As a result, the company had to assign quality engineers to work directly with suppliers for three months to ensure improvements. Robots often struggle in such environments due to high loads and fast-paced operations, leading to numerous issues that required substantial modifications before they could be used effectively. Customers want robots that are “plug-and-play” (ready to use immediately), not “semi-finished products” that frequently need repairs.
5. The Importance of a Mature Supply Chain
Robots currently cost hundreds of thousands of yuan, making them unaffordable for most individuals and small factories due to the immature supply chain. Only when the supply chain matures will component costs decrease, allowing robot prices to become more accessible and enabling their widespread adoption in factories and homes. This is similar to how smartphones became more popular after the supply chain matured, leading to price reductions from several thousand to just a few hundred yuan per unit. The maturation of the supply chain is essential for the mass market adoption of robots.
In summary, while robots represent a promising technology, overcoming challenges related to component reliability, durability, and supply chain development is critical for their widespread acceptance in industrial and consumer settings.