Building industrial robots is tough. Picture this: you’re assembling a robot with precision only to find yourself stuck because you can’t find the right talent. Sure, mechanical engineers are relatively easy to gather, but experts in reinforcement learning and AI integration? That’s a whole different ball game. These specialists command high salaries, which can really stretch your budget. And with new competitors popping up, the pressure’s on.
This is why many companies are turning to outsourcing with specialized engineering firms. Outsourcing is more than just a way to cut costs; it boosts efficiency and flexibility. Spencer Krause, founder of SKA Robotics, points out that some companies worry about losing perceived value by outsourcing. But when it comes to robotics, the benefits of outsourcing are hard to ignore.
Common Pitfalls of In-House Robotics Teams
One of the biggest challenges is resource constraints. Robotics projects need a lot of resources, and companies often underestimate the cash, time, and personnel required. What starts as a simple project can quickly become complex with delays and rising costs. Outsourcing firms, however, come prepared with the right tools and expertise, cutting down on delays and keeping your budget on track. For example, Siemens Energy teamed up with an engineering firm to quickly develop a maintenance robot, saving a lot of downtime and money.
Labor shortages are another hurdle. The demand for robotics experts is sky-high, and even big companies struggle to hire enough skilled engineers. Training in-house talent is risky and takes time. Outsourcing offers you a ready-made team of seasoned professionals, eliminating the need for lengthy onboarding. SKA Robotics, for instance, successfully tested autonomous navigation systems on smaller models before rolling them out on full-sized machinery.
In large corporations, approval processes can really slow things down. The extensive paperwork and bureaucratic hurdles can stall development. On the flip side, outsourcing firms can make quick decisions and adjustments, keeping projects on track. Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corporation, for example, benefited from the agile decision-making of external engineers, sidestepping bureaucratic delays.
Technical difficulties can also be a major headache. Robotics requires the seamless integration of hardware, software, and controls. A small glitch can lead to big setbacks. Experienced contract engineers have seen it all before and can tackle issues swiftly, often borrowing solutions from other industries. One manufacturer partnered with a firm to resolve hardware integration issues, ensuring their project was completed on time.
Not every company has in-house robotics expertise. Outsourcing firms bring a bundle of skills, saving you the hassle of hiring multiple specialists. A developer of surgical robots, for example, relied on external engineers for advanced features, saving months of trial and error.
Lastly, overcommitting to non-recurring needs can be financially draining. Hiring full-time staff for a one-time project can bloat your payroll. By outsourcing, you pay for performance within a set timeframe, avoiding unnecessary long-term costs. An organization needing a self-driving catamaran for research periods, for instance, contracted out the project and ended the contract once it was deployed.
In conclusion, outsourcing in robotics engineering can be a smart move, helping you bypass common pitfalls faced by in-house teams. It offers flexibility, expertise, and cost-effectiveness, allowing you to focus on your core competencies while meeting project demands efficiently.
