OLogic and Vicor help Dusty Robotics optimize the power supply of construction robots

"We started six or seven years ago," said Ted Larson, CEO of OLogic. "When Bob Conn (senior engineer) came from Xilinx, we were developing the Knightscope security robot. For many years, he has been using Vicor's power supply in the data center. The Vicor power supply is clean and efficient."

"Our project is the first one where we started to use this power source everywhere, and the effect is very good", he told Robotics 24/7, "The Vicor product line began to develop in the direction of higher efficiency and lower price per unit power consumption. Its good heat dissipation characteristics and reliability make it easy to design. We finally used the Vicor product again in other mobile robot projects."

"Power density is where we can play our best role," said Steve Germino, director of public relations and media relations at Vicor in Andover, Massachusetts. "We can provide a lot of power in small packages, which is very suitable for mobile robots, drones and cars."

He said, "Vicor has recently added A 90000 square foot Chip fab , so we can support the growth and more robot applications. In addition, we also cooperate with Diligent Robotics to provide support and assistance to the patient care team, and with Kodiak Robotics to achieve changes in automated long-distance truck transportation. Both companies need Reliable converter with high power density 。”

Figure 1: OLogic cooperates with Vicor and other partners to help Dusty Robotics' FieldPrinter and other robots go public.

Tessa Lau, founder and CEO of Dusty Robotics, a hotel service robot supplier, said, "We have known Ted for a long time, starting with Savioke. Dusty robots use power to perform mobile, computing and drawing functions."

She recalled: "When the company was founded, none of us had any office space. Ted provided us with his conference room. In 2018, we built the first Dusty prototype in OLogic's office. "

"When designing our robot, we thought it was a construction power tool, so it must be reliable and solid," Lau said. "We believe Ted will make the right choice for us."

"When Savioke developed Relay, we hoped that the battery would have a long service life and provide enough power for this large robot to complete a whole shift," she recalled. "At first, we had the same idea about Dusty, but later found that the battery had many challenges and was not easy to replace."

"We then used the battery of electric tools with a 4-hour endurance," Lau said. "Then you can take the robot to the plane, and it will be more convenient to transport and carry the robot by plane. We need to use this to attract customers in America, such as Los Angeles International Airport."

Lau said: "Now, Dusty Robotics has proven its technology in the market, and this startup can further reduce power demand and optimize battery life. In addition, robots can also extend the career of experienced workers by undertaking tedious physical work. "

How about HP SitePrint robot similar to FieldPrinter? "This really validates the market," Lau said. "We have been doing this work for four and a half years and commercializing it for two and a half years. We hope to automate more and more manual processes."

"The competition is very good, indicating that there is demand," she commented. "The investment of a well-known large company to solve the problem indicates that the problem needs to be solved, and imitation is the most sincere compliment."

Dusty, located in Mountain View, California, also works with AutoDesk University to ensure that its field printer can print a layout accurate to one sixteenth of an inch from the Building Information Model (BIM).

"Data is the only truth and the common language of robots," Lau pointed out. "BIM is the instruction manual for all robots to do work on the ground, dry wall processing and digging ditches. The construction industry has taken the lead in other industries, but it is still traditionally reluctant to adopt new technologies."

How will the supply chain problems caused by geopolitical conflicts and other situations affect robot developers?

"It's very destructive," Lau replied. "The inability to obtain parts has limited our ability to manufacture robots for two years. Fortunately, our team is excellent and can obtain the parts we need through creative solutions. We are stocking some parts with serial numbers."

She pointed out that although the robot industry usually starts from a small scale, with 60 units produced instead of 1 million units, manufacturers really need 100% parts to continue production. Some companies have to redesign their systems or provide multiple configurations in exchange for labor.

"From the perspective of Vicor, we also arranged the electroplating process together," said Germino. "We now have more control over our own destiny. Our partnership with OLogic helps them to obtain parts first."

Larson said that OLogic advised customers to do two things: "First, carefully consider the components used when designing new products; second, ensure that the supply chain is clear. If there is a problem, there should be 12 months of inventory in the design process.

"This is different from just in time manufacturing," he added. "Now you need to build good relationships with suppliers and distributors. Let everyone in the ecosystem know what each other is doing."

Larson said that, Modular solutions provided by OLogic and Vicor help improve adaptability and reliability.

Figure 2: Vicor and OLogic worked together to design Modular power supply network (PDN) 。

Lau of Dusty Robotics said that the wish list of functions is endless. "In short, 'How can we do more with less power? Can we get more sensors?'" She said, "Everything on the construction site is based on the battery, so we will turn it off when not in use."

"I hope that all robot developers know what Ted knows," said Vicor's Germino. "In order to achieve power density and high efficiency, we have made a lot of attempts on mobile robots, focusing on heat dissipation. Our founder is a physicist, who has been challenging us how to obtain more power through small packages."

"I am always amazed by the new software and applications," said Larson of OLogic

"Another example is Melonee Wise of Fetch Robotics (now part of Zebra Technologies)," he said. "She and others have come up with a new method to use mobile robots in warehouse logistics. Now, we find that many large companies are doing this, such as Locus Robotics."