You're faced with a client pushing for risky innovations. How do you maintain system reliability in robotics?

Maintaining system reliability in robotics while accommodating risky innovations requires a balanced approach. Firstly, conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential failure points. Implement redundant systems and fail-safes to mitigate potential risks. Additionally, invest in rigorous testing and simulation to validate the new innovations. Continuous monitoring and data analysis can also help detect and address any emerging issues. Finally, establish clear protocols for addressing and learning from failures to continually improve system reliability.

Evaluating risk is essential to maintaining system reliability. When a client pushes for risky innovations, my first step is a thorough risk assessment. I analyze potential impacts on the system, considering both short-term and long-term effects. Understanding the risks involved allows me to make informed decisions and prioritize actions that balance innovation with reliability.

Siendo profesionales debemos de arriesgarnos a innovar y mas si un cliente nos acompa?a de la mano durante el proceso, ya que podemos abrir nuevas puertas incluso a nuevos mercados, que en la robótica queda mucho por dar pero hay que saber donde y como aplicarlo. Siempre la seguridad debe ser lo primero, para evitar incidentes en las personas y proteger las instalaciones y al medio ambiente. Innovar es arriesgado y hay que tener un gran equipo que de la cara, pero ser los pioneros en este mercado pone en cabeza a la empresa para conseguir mas proyectos y clientes nuevos de alto potencial.

This risk assessment is not just a one time thing. When the innovation is progressing you gain a lot more information and you should update it.

Risk assessment is always difficult when developing innovative projects. This is because we tend to loosen our risk tolerance when we've decided to push the envelope from a project's inception. This can lead to over promising on results and under estimating the consequences of failure. One thing is sure, you must clearly define mission and safety critical risk factors and not budge on those. Failure to properly assess safety critical risk factors can lead to reputation loss and even criminal liability. Be proactive and clearly communicate risk factors to all stakeholders in a project. The more explicit you are with outlining risk factors at the outset of a project the easier it will be to respect these risks factors as the project advances.

Implementing incremental testing ensures innovations do not compromise the system. I prefer breaking down new features into smaller, manageable components that can be tested individually. This approach allows for thorough validation at each step, identifying issues early before they escalate. Incremental testing provides confidence that the system remains reliable as innovations are integrated.

Incremental testing is key to building reliable robotics projects. However, it can also be a pain point for clients and project managers that would like to accelerate development. Proper testing is always time consuming and you may face pressure to validate features before testing is complete. For some non-critical features this may be acceptable. For everything else developing approaches for testing multiple features in parallel is likely the best strategy. As some features will depend on the completion of other features. My recommendation is to create a PERT chart / diagram. A PERT chart can be a great tool for organizing complex projects and parallelizing development tasks.

Having fallback systems is crucial for maintaining reliability amidst risky innovations. I always ensure that there are backup systems or fail-safes in place. These fallback mechanisms can take over if the innovations fail, ensuring that the overall system continues to operate smoothly. This redundancy is a key factor in mitigating the risks associated with introducing new features.

Maintaining open communication with clients and the team is vital. I emphasize the importance of discussing potential risks and the steps we are taking to mitigate them. Transparent communication builds trust and ensures everyone is on the same page. It also allows for collaborative problem-solving, where input from different perspectives can lead to better solutions.

Emphasizing continuous learning helps keep the system reliable while embracing innovation. I encourage the team to stay updated with the latest advancements in robotics and related fields. This continuous learning enables us to apply best practices and leverage new technologies effectively. Staying informed helps us anticipate potential challenges and address them proactively.

Providing comprehensive training for users ensures they can handle innovations confidently. I believe that well-trained users are less likely to make mistakes that could compromise the system. Training sessions that cover both the new features and any fallback procedures equip users to manage the system effectively, even when facing unexpected issues.