ROBOTS are ideal factory workers, able to work long hours without complaint or decline in performance. It is no wonder that they are seen as key in the Industry 4.0 transformation as processes are increasingly digitised and streamlined.

However, robots like the automated guided vehicles (AGVs) used in many advanced manufacturing factories still have their drawbacks, such as the need to spend several minutes or hours recharging when their batteries are depleted.

Companies acquiring AGV fleets for their smart factories have to cater for this downtime by buying and maintaining additional AGVs. This may not be a big deal for a company requiring 10 robots, but quickly becomes an issue for larger firms.