Xponential 2019 Preview: Aerial Drones to Take Center Stage

The unmanned aerial system ecosystem will gather next week in Chicago (April 29 through May 2) at the Xponential 2019 event, sponsored by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). Held at the McCormick Place convention center, Xponential 2019 will feature more than 8,500 technologists, regulators, and end users across the commercial and defense sector within the unmanned and autonomous systems space.

Previous Xponential shows revealed a growing presence and diversity of fixed wing and multirotor drone applications across the industry. Since 2013, the inclusion of drones in company booths has risen from a presence in about one-third of show booths, to more than 80% in recent years. These represent new applications beyond traditional aerial surveillance, photogrammetry and mapping, and now include meteorology, communication relays, crop spraying, gathering of urban mass transit big data, and more. By Xponential 2017, the commercial side of the drone business had overtaken the former military dominance of the event.

If you’re attending the show, here are some steps to take that can optimize your time at the show.
Step #1: Have a show calendar
The show calendar is your detailed guide to this multifaceted event. It details the many different presentations, seminars, networking opportunities, receptions, summits and much more. Print it out (about four pages), and you will have a handy schedule that you can mark up with notes and carry with you – to make sure you know when and where you want to be. Drill down into the online version of the calendar to identify event presentations of the greatest relevance to your interests. There are more than 200 seminars, workshops, clinics, case studies and other educational sessions. All are described in great detail as you bring them up online.
Step #2: Pick some keynotes to attend
Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing

This year’s keynote schedule provides an insider look at the technology and trends shaping the future of unmanned systems. Travis Mason, a vice president at Airbus who oversees certification of Airbus UAS and related regulatory compliance, will host 13 industry leaders speaking in the multiday keynote program.

These industry leaders comprise an unmatched brain trust of expertise, and their talks will offer invaluable perspective and guidance pertinent to this rapidly expanding industry. The lineup of “the industry’s most visionary doers and strategists” include Brian Wynne, AUVSI President and CEO; Michael Chasen, PrecisionHawk CEO; Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing CEO; David Albritton, President, General Motors Defence LLC; and Carl Burleson, Acting Deputy Administrator, FAA, to name just a few.
Step #3: Hit the show floor
More than 700 organizations are expected to exhibit on the show floor, up from just over 600 exhibitors at last year’s event. The list of sponsors – at just over 80 at press time – reads like a “Who’s Who” in the robotics and artificial intelligence space, representing the backbone of the industry.

There are a few companies that we recommend you visit during the conference, whether you are an exhibitor or simply walking the show. The powerhouse companies who are legends in robotics, aviation and AI systems are “must-sees”. These include Boeing, booth 1407; and Lockheed Martin, booth 2025.

Planck Aerosystems will show off its the Shearwater drone system, which is capable of landing on moving vehicles and is primarily used to assist in security, search and rescue, convoy support and special operations by providing live aerial surveillance to the user. Source: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jake McClung)

Another company with an intriguing product is Planck Aerosystems, at booth 1739. Planck Aerosystems’ multirotor drowns are able to perform safe, autonomous missions, from moving vehicles, in national airspace both day and night. Planck Aerosystems drones can take off from off-road, moving vehicles, perform a mission, and return and land on the same vehicle while it is still moving. This system has been deployed by the U.S. Marines.

In addition to those vendors, many other companies with their own unique offerings will be displaying products, including:

Mobilicom (Booth 4108), which will show its SkyHopper end-to-end system for smart drones and robotics, which helps take regular drones and turn them into “smart drones, with communication data links, cybersecurity and encryption, among other features.
UAVOS (Booth 2440), plans to display more than 40 products and solutions in the UAS field, including its ApusDuo solar-electric stratospheric unmanned aircraft, which combines the advantage of a satellite with the flexibility and persistence of a UAV. The company will also show the HiDRON, an unmanned stratospheric glider that can launch, lift and return in-situ earth observation instruments.

You can peruse the list of all registered Xponential 2019 exhibitors here.
Step #4: Check out a collocated event
In addition to the keynotes and main conference sessions outlined in the show calendar, the AUVSI has partnered with other organizations to create additional opportunities to give more in-depth looks into specialized topics and systems. Some collcated events include:

Droneport Seminar ($349 fee, pre-registration required): How Droneports are creating an epicenter for regional UAS activities, providing companies with the airspace to fly drones safely.
UAS Weather Forum (free for all Xponential attendees, pre-registration required): Sharing experiences on weather impacts, discussing weather needs for UAS operations, and cultivating strategies on how to make progress with needed weather support.
Safety Management System for UAS Workshop ($330 fee, pre-registration required): Assisting new and existing UAS operators in designing and implementing a turn-key FAA SMS scaled to their individual operation.
Autonomous Flight for Tomorrow – Technology & Market Drivers for Urban VTOL (free for Xponential attendees, pre-registration required): The Vertical Flight Society presents an interactive panel with leaders from Aurora, Bell, Sikorsky, and NASA, as well as others. The event will cover how autonomy, electric propulsion, and other technologies are enabling an electric VTOL revolution for urban air mobility, for passenger and cargo applications.
Enabling Real-World BVLOS: Transforming UAS Potential Into Realized Commercial Operations (free for attendees, pre-registration required): This four-hour event features Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) practitioners and enablers, joined by partners or end-user clients, to reveal what they’ve done, and what they will be doing in the near-term future, to perform BVLOS commercial operations on a daily basis.

More on commercial drones:

Market for Commercial Drones to Nearly Triple by 2024, Research Says
How Indoor Drones are Finding Flaws in Tiny Spaces
Drones Assist With Police Standoff, Crime Scene Mapping
Global Spending on Robots, Drones to Top $115B in 2019, Says IDC

The full list of collocated events is available here.
Step #5: Meet other UAS colleagues
Like most trade show events, there are opportunities for attendees to meet others and find some new business opportunities, or just relax and have some liquid refreshments.

The main networking event is called The MAX, which will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, featuring food, drinks, entertainment, games and more than 8,500 attendees located in one place – the XPO Hall.

In addition, the event will feature an Exhibitor Reception (exhibitors only), and Influencer Reception (invitation only), a Chairman’s Reception (VIPs and invitees), as well as Take 5 Session Networking Breaks aimed at VIP and full conference pass holders.

Xponential 2019 will be the most comprehensive and largest conference and trade show for unmanned and autonomous systems yet held. Leaders in artificial intelligence, users, technologists, policy makers, educators and representatives from dozens of industries will be there. Robotics Business Review editors and writers will be at the show, we hope to see you there!
Xponential 2019 Preview: Aerial Drones to Take Center Stage

Locus Robotics Lands $26M in New Funding for Warehouse Robots

WILMINGTON, MASS. – Locus Robotics today announced it has raised $26 million in Series C funding to continue scaling production of its warehouse fulfillment robotics system. The round includes investments from Zebra Ventures, the strategic investment arm of Zebra Technologies, and Scale Venture Partners, which led the company’s $25 million Series B round in 2017.

Locus said it would use the proceeds to scale production of its robots, as well as expanding its sales and marketing efforts in North America and around the world.

“Zebra Technologies has a longstanding mission of driving productivity in logistics and the supply chain,” said Tony Palcheck, managing director at Zebra Ventures. “We invest in technologies that will help our customers increase operational efficiency and meet their requirements for on-time delivery. Locus has quickly established itself as a leader in warehouse automation, and the company is a natural fit with our enterprise intelligence vision in the warehouse market.”

The latest funding brings Locus’ total funding to more than $66 million since the company’s launch in 2014. The company said it follows a record 2018 performance, in which it rolled out new deployments in the retail/e-tail, third-party logistics (3PL), distribution, and industrial specialty space across North America.

Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics

“The continued, rapid growth of the warehouse industry and a tight labor market have placed tremendous pressure on warehouse operators to find a scalable, cost-effective way to meet increasing productivity and efficiency demands,” said Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics. “We have seen a massive uptick in demand for the flexible automation incorporated into Locus’ multi-bot solution, which is uniquely suited to address these challenges.”

More on warehouse robotics:

At ProMat 2019, Companies Pitch Efficiency for Warehouses
ProMat and Automate Day 2 News, Notes, and Forklifts
IAM Robotics Redesigns, Expands Swift System for Mobile Fulfillment
Robots Will Be Working in 50,000 Warehouses by 2025, Report Says
Market Forecast: Worldwide Commercial Service Robotics, 2019-2022
Download: Mobile Robots Move Beyond Pilot Projects

The company’s customers, which include DHL, GEODIS, Port Logistics Group, Verst Logistics, Radial, and others, have seen double or triple productivity gains in their fulfillment operations, while saving 30% or more in operating expenses, the company added.

“Locus’ offering delivers powerful results, scales to meet growth and seasonal demands, and is flexible enough for us to deploy it rapidly throughout our network,” said Eric Douglas, executive vice president of technology and engineering at GEODIS Americas.

In addition to the financial investment, Zebra Technologies said it will work with Locus to integrate technologies to bring more innovative solutions to the market. For example, Locus recently added an accessory power port to their autonomous mobile robot, the LocusBot, which features a Zebra printer integrated onto its robotic platform, and showcased a Zebra wireless handheld scanner integrated with Locus’ new put-away functionality.

At ProMat 2019 earlier this month, Locus announced omnichannel support, multi-order and multi-tote picking, as well as bulk item picking as part of its spring hardware and software updates.
Locus Robotics Lands M in New Funding for Warehouse Robots

Robotic Measurement System Preps Tokyo Stadium for Rugby World Cup

TOKYO, Japan — Lighting provider Signify recently installed its connected lighting system Interact Sports at the Toyota Stadium in Aichi, Japan. While stadiums regularly see updates to their lighting systems, this installation is unique in the fact that it used a robotic measurement system while installing the connected lighting system.
It’s the first outdoor stadium in Japan to install connected LED pitch lighting in combination with high-performance Philips ArenaVision LEDs.

Image: Signify
Saving install time
The robotic measurement system is part of Signify’s innovative commissioning method. It helps to reduce installation time and significantly improves accuracy compared to traditional measurement methods. Aiming of floodlights, horizontal illuminance, color temperature, and rendering are just a few of the components put to the test.
Already in operation in numerous stadiums around the world, Signify’s LED lighting system brings an immersive bowl lighting experience by seamlessly integrating color changing floodlights alongside entertainment lighting moving color spots, the company said. The new lighting meets broadcast standards for flicker-free Ultra-HD 4K television and super slow-motion action replays, people at home can clearly see every detail and emotion on the pitch.
Toyota Stadium upgraded its pitch floodlights with 554 energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures across its 45,000-seat stadium. It uses Interact Sports Lighting management software to control and manage Philips ArenaVision LED Field of Play (pitch) lighting. It combines seven different light distribution characteristics which make it possible to design lighting best suited for each player’s action.

More on robots in construction, Asian robotics:

At Windover Construction, Drones Go Beyond ‘Eye in the Sky’
5 Ways Robotics Will Disrupt the Construction Industry in 2019
PrecisionHawk Expands Drone Tech Portfolio with Construction-Focused Acquisition
Market for Commercial Drones to Nearly Triple by 2024, Research Says
Drone Usage Grows to Get the Industrial Dirty Jobs Done (FREE report)
Southeast Asia Catches Up in Global Robotics Race
CES: 10 Robotics Trends Seen in Eureka Park 2019
Robotic Measurement System Preps Tokyo Stadium for Rugby World Cup

Robot Investments Weekly: Healthcare AI and Robotics Systems Shine

With all of the ProMat and Automate coverage over the past few weeks, we’ve been pretty busy around here, so we’ve slipped a bit on covering the transactions in the robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence space. Fortunately, we’re caught up enough to give you an overview of some of the more interesting transactions recently.

This week we’re highlighting 13 recent transactions covering the robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence space. If you’ve missed some transactions over the past few months, you can track them through the RBR Transactions Database. This regularly updated database lets you sort deals by company, industry, technology, or transaction type.
Robotics, AI in healthcare space
A cluster of investments have been made in robotics and AI companies using technology to better diagnose diseases and perform surgery in recent weeks.

HistoSonics, which develops a non-invasive robotics platform and novel beam therapy, closed a $54 million Series C financing round earlier this month. The company’s Robotically Assisted Sonic Therapy (RAST) combines robotics and imaging with proprietary sensing technology “to deliver personalized treatments with unparalleled precision and control,” the company said. The system uses histotripsy and focused sound energy “to generate pressures strong enough to liquefy and completely destroy targeted tissues at sub-cellular levels,” it continued.

 

Enlitic’s AI platform can help radiologists discover abnormalities for radiologists. Source: Enlitic

Enlitic, which develops AI to streamline medical imaging workflows for radiologists, closed $15 million in Series B funding earlier this month. The company’s platform uses deep learning and other AI forms to develop algorithms that identify and analyze suspicious findings in medical images. “Working closely with hospitals and radiology providers around the world, the company has developed a comprehensive platform enabling the development, validation, and seamless integration of clinical AI at scale,” the company said. It added that early applications of the technology were able to speed up radiologists’ interpretation by more than 20%, while also improving true positive rates and reducing false positive rates by more than 10%.

The company’s first product interprets chest x-rays, triaging normal from abnormal scans, and detecting and characterizing more than 40 distinct abnormalities, the company said. Enlitic said it is working with partners around the world for approvals to deploy the product in several countries.

Another company helping radiologists is Aidoc, which raised $27 million to expand its own AI solutions. The Israel-based company said it will use the funding to grow its technology and go-to-market team to support demand for its products. The company also announced it analyzed its 1 millionth CT scan in real-time, “the largest number of images analyzed by an AI tool and a landmark in the radiology AI ecosystem.” The company’s solutions are able to flag acute anomalies in real-time for radiologists.

On the pathology side, Deep Lens announced closing a $14 million Series A financing round for its AI-driven digital pathology platform. The company said it plans to use the funding to expand its product development, scale its services, sales, and marketing organizations. The company’s Virtual Imaging for Pathology Education and Research (VIPER) technology combines AI with advanced pathology workflows “while also facilitating peer-to-peer collaboration and patient identification for clinical trials. The company said its goal is to provide users with fast and accurate information for better patient care and advanced clinical research.

Another company in the pathology space, Boston-based PathAI announced raising $60 million in Series B funding. The company said it plans to use the new funds to “enhance offerings to existing partners, drive continuous improvement of its flagship pathology research platform, meet market demands, and fuel research and development into new tools and medical devices.” The company develops AI-powered research tools and services for pathology, helping to improve the accuracy and diagnosis and the efficacy of treatment for diseases like cancer, “leveraging modern approaches in machine and deep learning.”

Finally, startup Theator announced raising $3 million in seed round funding to develop its AI-based surgical platform. The platform helps “surgeons enhance capabilities and reduce medical errors by leveraging machine learning and computer-vision to identify, optimize and scale dissemination of best practices,” the company said. While other companies focus on static images such as x-rays and CT scans for diagnostics, Theator said it is working to leverage video footage. The company’s Minutes platform provides intelligently edited versions of surgical procedures that cover steps and outcome-critical components. “Hours-long procedures can be reviewed in minutes, helping surgeons prepare and review procedures,” the company said. In addition, AI-powered algorithms and analytics can inform surgeons on their performance, with videos stored for upcoming procedures or to debrief during post-operative processes.
Amazon buys Canvas, OnRobot buys Blue Workforce
A couple of interesting acquisitions of note:

Amazon announced it would acquire Canvas Technology, which develops autonomous carts that can move items around warehouses, for an undisclosed amount.
OnRobot, which develops end-of-arm tools and grippers for cobots, announced it would acquire the assets of Blue Workforce, which developed the robot called RAGNAR. Denmark-based Blue Workforce had recently filed for bankruptcy, and OnRobot said it would also hire 12 robot developers from the company.
While not an acquisition, FLIR Systems did announce it made a strategic investment in DroneBase, a drone operations company that provides businesses access to one of the largest unmanned aerial surveillance (UAS) pilot networks. The investment would make FLIR the exclusive provider of thermal product solutions and thermal image training provider for DroneBase’s pilot network. Terms of the investment were undisclosed.

Automotive-related investments for AI, teleoperation
While not completely related to the self-driving car space, there were a couple of interesting announcements that could make us better drivers.

Affectiva, which develops an Emotion AI and human perception platform, announced closing $26 million in funding. The company’s technology helps autonomous vehicles and other vehicles to understand drivers’ and passengers’ states and moods, providing alerts when drivers are distracted, etc.
Phantom Auto, which develops remote teleoperation of autonomous vehicles, said it raised about $19 million in Series A financing. The company’s systems allow for a remote teleoperator, who sits in a cockpit with a steering wheel watching images from cameras in the car, to take over control when the car faces “tricky situations.”


Wrapping up the rest
I’m getting anxious about a giant bunny coming to the house to deliver some candy to my kids this weekend, so I’m going to wrap up the rest of the recent transactions. Click the links to learn more:

Slingshot Aerospace raised $5 million for its AI-based orbital analytics platform.
KeyMe earned $50 million to expand its key duplication robotics platform, which can automatically make keys at a kiosk.

Happy Easter, everyone!
Robot Investments Weekly: Healthcare AI and Robotics Systems Shine

4 Reasons Why ‘Made in China’ Isn’t Cost-Effective

It’s no secret why many companies choose to outsource some or all of their manufacturing processes to China. The availability of cheap labor and lack of stringent regulations in the country mean U.S. companies can save significantly on fixed costs by outsourcing – at least in the short-term. In practice, however, offshore manufacturing tends to cost far more in the long run. Here are some of the main reasons why.
1) The current trade war with China
The U.S. is currently imposing approximately $250 billion in tariffs on Chinese imports. For the first time in a long time, many manufacturers are finding domestically manufactured products are now more cost-effective than their outsourced counterparts. It’s unclear how this trade war will play out, but at least in the short term, offshore manufacturing is no longer necessarily less expensive from a fixed-cost perspective.
2) Quality assurance overseas is easier said than done
Many companies have discovered the hard way that contractual quality clauses are extremely difficult to enforce from overseas. In 2013, after a faulty airbag inflator led to a number of deaths and injuries in cars equipped with Takata airbags, the company recalled 3.6 million cars. Takata was a successful Japanese-based automotive parts company, but the faulty inflators that caused the airbag malfunctions were manufactured in Mexico. Ultimately, upwards of 42 million cars with Takata airbags were eventually recalled by order of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — and the company went bankrupt in 2017.
3) Hidden costs add up

More on reshoring:

Webcast: Reshoring and the Supporting Key Technologies
Manufacturing Reshoring From Robotics Hasn’t Happened — Yet, Says Study
Reshoring, Robotics Rising Together, Reports OECD
Could Reshoring Restore American Jobs? A Quick Look at the Numbers
How a WWII-era Plan may Provide a Robotics, AI Blueprint for Manufacturing in the Heartland
4 Considerations for Western Companies That Want to Leave China

Not surprisingly, overseas shipping and transport (including air freight) can cost a great deal of time and money. With lag times of two to three months — to say nothing of unanticipated delays — the total landed costs can add up quickly. Many manufacturers recommend engaging legal guidance both in the U.S. and the place of manufacture. This, too, can be costly, though probably less expensive than moving forward without legal consult and needing it later. There can also be hidden costs associated with production quantity; in many cases, outsourcing is only cost-effective with high-quantity production yields.
4) Automation is changing the manufacturing landscape in the U.S.
The next frontier of cost efficiency is happening right here in the U.S. Incorporating automation into manufacturing is helping companies save costs and increase efficiency across a wide range of industries. The flip side, of course, is that many people are concerned robots will end up replacing human workers, threatening to negate one of the many benefits of reshoring: providing reliable jobs to domestic workers.

This concern is not an unreasonable one. Various studies, including a 2017 report from the McKinsey Global Institute and a study from the University of Oxford suggested anywhere from 20% to 50% of jobs are threatened by automation. The reality is more nuanced, and thankfully, much more encouraging.

As many companies are discovering, automation actually provides an opportunity for different kinds of employment (and in many cases, more employment in general). Ray Products, where I work, is an excellent example. When we introduced a fully robotic six-axis trimmer to our thermoforming workflow, we ultimately ended up increasing our workforce by 20%. This isn’t just anecdotal — a recent Brookings Institution report found that in Germany, where manufacturers are using three times more robots than their U.S. counterparts, they’re also employing more people.

While it’s impossible to predict the future, my money’s on a combination of robots and reshoring.

About the author: Jason Middleton is vice president of sales at Ray Products, an Ontario, Calif.-based plastics manufacturer.
4 Reasons Why ‘Made in China’ Isn’t Cost-Effective

How to Build a Robotics Career Without a Ph.D.

If you’re worried about the future job security of your current career, it could be time to switch into a more in-demand career, such as one offered by the robotics or artificial intelligence fields.

Fortunately, you don’t need a doctorate to make that kind of a job transition. By showing creativity, dedication and a willingness to learn in-demand skills, you could set yourself up for success despite not having an advanced degree. Here are six strategies that can help you get to a new career in robotics or AI.
1) Examine your educational options
Transitioning into a technology career will almost inevitably require you to increase your formal education, even without going as far as getting a Ph.D. With that in mind, start by looking for robotics programs in your community. Alternatively, you can check for online courses — especially if your obligations make it difficult to commit to attending in-person classes.

Also, prioritize the programs that will put you in an excellent position to capitalize on the existing skills shortage. According to an EY report, 80% of respondents said an AI talent shortage prevented enterprise-level adoption of that technology. If you have AI knowledge that applies to robotics, you could find yourself in exceptional demand, provided your educational program makes you well equipped.
2) Understand your role in a changing workforce
It’s likely that fear of losing your job to robots is what compelled you to upskill and embrace the robotics trend by moving into the industry itself instead of shying away from it.

Study patterns within the workforce and how robots relate to them. Once you are aware of the impact of robotics on the future workforce, you can better determine how you fit within it, and how robots could be a career booster for you instead of a hindrance.

For example, if you previously worked as a civil engineer, many of the skills you already possess will lend themselves nicely to your goal of landing a robotics engineering role. In your profession as a civil engineer, you may have designed things like roads and bridges, which translates well into designing robots.

Plus, your former engineering work equipped you to realize the various phases of the design process, and you’re probably comfortable working with others to get jobs done. In short, think about the skills you already have and how they could help you excel as the workplace evolves.
3) Browse job listings find essential skills for robot-related roles
Once you have an idea of sources for robotics degrees, and how you can fit into the future workforce, start looking through job listings. While it may seem premature to do this, you can learn valuable information that can guide a career move. First, look for companies that most often have technology job openings that appeal to you.

Then, dig deeper and see what skills they require. Figure out how you could sharpen those skills and create an action plan for encouraging meaningful personal growth. Remember, making your skills applicable to the future is a substantial part of enjoying long-term job security.

Check out the newly launched website that seeks to address the robotics skills shortage by connecting qualified candidates with robotics companies. It’s called Robots.Jobs and has both featured jobs and companies, giving you an idea of the know-how that you need to progress in the field. (Editor’s note: Robotics Business Review is a partner with Robots.Jobs)

Making connections at local robotics gatherings can help generate job opportunities.
4) Become a confident networker
Research indicates that up to 85% of people find their jobs through networking. If you don’t know anyone currently working in robotics, it’s time to change that. Search for local gatherings of individuals working in robotics and other tech fields. Be prepared to talk about your career goals and what you can offer to employers.

At this stage in your career switch, it may not feel like you can bring much to the table concerning relevant robotics expertise. But think about the other things you have to offer from your former role. For example, maybe you were a marketing professional and worked on projects that required you to assess and meet client needs. In that case, you’re probably great at seeing the big picture and knowing how to achieve successful outcomes.
5) Improve critical thinking skills by staying abreast of robotics news
Robotics is a fast-moving sector, and you cannot assume things in the industry will stay relatively constant up to and beyond the time when you’re ready to enter the employment market and start hunting for a robotics job. It’s smart to build a collection of robotics resources such as websites and blogs. Aim to read them daily, or at least several times a week.

More on workforce, skills:

Why Humans Will Remain at Center of an Automated Workforce
Moving Your Workforce Forward: AI and Automation Action Plan
Report: How to Prepare Your Future Workforce for Robotics Disruption
Robotics, Workforce Development Go Hand in Hand, Say A3 Leaders at RoboBusiness
The Time Is Now for Conversations Around Workforce Retraining
How to Start (or Change to) a Robotics Career (free download)

As you digest the information, think about it critically by asking yourself how the things you read about could have short- or long-term effects on the robotics industry. Similarly, as you read about exceptionally innovative robotics achievements, ponder the pros and cons of such progress. Challenging yourself to analyze the news like this keeps your knowledge current, plus encourages you to think beyond the words on the page.
6) Look for a tech internship
It’s one thing to earn a degree from a robotics program, but you will also need hands-on experience that will be valuable if you enrolled in an online degree program that didn’t offer any or very many lab experiences for learners. An internship can help you discover what it’s really like to work in a robotics or other tech company.

When you’re getting your resume ready before applying for an internship, make sure to list any relevant projects completed, even the ones where you built robots with DIY kits. The companies looking for interns want well-rounded applicants, and that often means people who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get to work by carefully following instructions, and realizing that they may not get everything right the first time.

Speaking of DIY kits, they can be excellent for helping you apply skills learned in formal coursework. Even if your robotics degree program doesn’t recommend using them, you should because you’ll gain a richer understanding of how robots function.

Of course, the internships at the biggest, most well-known companies will be very competitive. But keep in mind that you could learn just as much — or more — by working for a small startup.
Stay determined during your quest
Besides staying aware of these six tips, don’t forget that you need a diligent mindset as you strive to build a robotics career without a Ph.D. Although many of the applicants may have more education than you, the other traits you offer could make you become the candidate of choice.
How to Build a Robotics Career Without a Ph.D.