Repurpose robots, don't waste them

The study, which was published in Springer Nature, seeks to challenge those working in the robotics industry and in academia to consider the long-term use of a robot and where possible, to repurpose robots to avoid common methods like recycling or long-term storage of robotics systems.

The paper presents a process for repurposing robots, analysed against other commonly used processes. It uses a Delphi Study methodology, a method used in medical and social sciences, which the authors have demonstrated can be implemented for future thinking within engineering.

Understanding the limitations of recycling an electronic product at the end of its life and considering other options possible to move the products towards a circular economy will be invaluable, the researchers argue.

“Regardless of being in industry, academia, or the general public, we are all aware of the growing piles of e-waste produced around the globe,” said Helen McGloin, from Bristol’s School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology. “This research took experts from across the robotics field and asked them to create a new process to repurpose robots. Similarities were seen between this process and established processes for developing new systems and the remanufacturing of used systems.

“However, unique steps within the repurposing process highlighted the value of challenging the expectations of considering robots e-waste at the end of their useful life.”

Robots and robotic systems are not currently classified as e-waste but the researchers have argued they meet the definition and consequently, are likely to be included in the scope of e-waste in the future. This will put further scrutiny and pressure on the robotics industry to consider how it designs robotic systems and plans for end-of-life.

One common tactic today is to ‘hibernate’ robotic e-waste, where it is stored for a period without being used.

“Levels of electronic waste are growing annually around the globe, and the introduction of new robotic products in homes, schools and workplaces will only add to this problem in the near future,” said McGloin. “While recycling or storing robots may seem like an easy option to tackle electronic waste, it is so often miss-managed that alternatives must be sought.

“Alternative solutions, such as repurposing, face a variety of challenges before they can become readily implemented. This includes economic and environmental viability, and attitudes of both consumers and businesses towards second hand systems.

“The aim of our research is to assess these challenges and provide creative solutions which can be implemented by the robotics industry as it moves towards circular operating principles.”

The plan is to investigate further industry attitudes towards e-waste, right to repair, repurposing, and barriers to a circular economy specifically within the robotics industry.