A study published in Springer Nature has urged professionals in the robotics industry and academia to prioritize the long-term usability of robotic systems. The goal is to repurpose robots wherever possible, reducing reliance on recycling or long-term storage.
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Robots should be designed with the flexibility to be reprogrammed and repurposed for new tasks after their primary life span ends, according to researchers from the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England.
With only 17 % of electronic waste (e-waste) properly recycled worldwide, researchers emphasize the importance of understanding the limitations of current recycling processes. They argue that moving toward a circular economy—where resources are reused efficiently—can help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.
As part of the research, robotics experts were tasked with developing processes to transition robots from one use to another.
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. This research took experts from across the robotics field and ask 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.
Helen McGloin, Ph.D. Student, School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology, University of Bristol
Currently, robots and robotic systems are not officially classified as e-waste. However, the authors of the study have previously argued that robots already meet existing definitions of e-waste and are likely to fall under this category in the future. If this classification occurs, the robotics industry will face increased scrutiny regarding how it designs and manages the end-of-life stages for robotic products.
Like other electronic devices, robots will have several options for disposal or reuse once they reach the end of their primary lifespan. At present, many businesses, research centers, and universities "hibernate" their robotic e-waste—essentially storing unused systems for an extended period without repurposing or recycling them.
Helen added, “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. 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.”
She further added, “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.”
This study is part of a broader research initiative led by the Ethical & Sustainable Futures team at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory—a joint facility shared by the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England.
The paper outlines a step-by-step process for repurposing robots, comparing it with established workflows commonly used in the design and development of robotic systems. To conduct this analysis, the researchers employed a Delphi methodology—a forecasting tool frequently used in medical and social sciences. The authors demonstrate that this approach can be effectively adapted to explore future challenges and scenarios in engineering research.
Building on this work, the researchers plan to further examine industry perspectives on e-waste, the right to repair, and robot repurposing. They also aim to identify key barriers to adopting circular economy principles within the robotics sector.
Journal Reference:
McGloin, H., et. al. (2024) Consulting an Oracle; Repurposing Robots for the Circular Economy. Springer Nature. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-72059-8_10