Boston Dynamics engineer working on the Spot robot

Decoding the cost of robots: between advanced research, cutting-edge equipment and manufacturing challenges?

In a world where automation is becoming increasingly important, robots are now indispensable allies for many industries. Yet many people wonder why these machines, whose tasks often seem simple at first sight, are so expensive. In reality, behind every robot is:

  • A huge investment in research and development
  • The work of specialist engineers
  • State-of-the-art equipment capable of carrying out complex actions

Understanding the price of robotics means first and foremost grasping the technological challenges and innovations required to design these machines. In this article, we explore the reasons behind the price of robots and their long-term value.

1. The cost of research and development

Creating sophisticated robots requires years of research and innovation. Teams of engineers, programmers and artificial intelligence researchers work on cutting-edge technologies that are constantly evolving. The R&D process involves trial, error and continuous improvement to design machines capable of understanding and interacting with their environment.

Examples:

  • Costs associated with engineers and researchers: For the development of advanced robots, engineers specialising in robotics and artificial intelligence can charge up to 15,000 euros per month, depending on their experience. For example, the creation of the Atlas robot by Boston Dynamics involved a team of hundreds of engineers and researchers, with R&D expenditure running into tens of millions of euros.
Boston Dynamics engineer working on the humanoid robot Atlas
  • Development time: The Baxter robot, designed by Rethink Robotics, took around 7 years to develop, with ongoing investment during this period. This long development cycle reflects the technical challenges and adjustments needed to perfect the technology.

2. Ultra-sophisticated equipment

What seems “simple” to us – for example, picking up an object or navigating around a room – is extremely complex for a machine. The components used in robots must be precise, robust and able to adapt to changing environments.

Example of equipment:

  • Advanced sensors: Robots use sensors such as lidars to create three-dimensional maps of their environment.Lidars used in autonomous robots can be very expensive, depending on their accuracy and range. Ouster lidars, for example, are among the most advanced on the market, costing up to 20,000 euros.
Ouster White Paper

  • Actuators: Sophisticated actuators, such as those used in high-precision robotic arms for surgical operations, can cost up to 50,000 euros each. They have to be extremely reliable to ensure precise and safe movements.

3. Small-scale production

Unlike everyday consumer products, robots are often produced in small batches. This means that the unit cost is higher. Mass production, as with smartphones, reduces costs. However, in the case of robots, demand remains niche, so economies of scale are limited.

4. The impact of precision and safety

Robots have to be extremely precise and safe to interact with humans. One small fault may have serious consequences. This requires redundancy systems, complex control algorithms and high-quality materials, all of which increase production costs.

5. The added value of the robot in the long term

Finally, a good argument to justify the price of robots is their long-term added value. Although a robot may represent a substantial initial investment, it may generate significant savings over time by:

  • Reducing human error: Robots are designed to perform repetitive tasks without tiring, reducing errors and increasing efficiency.
  • Improving working conditions: They make it possible to automate difficult or dangerous tasks, thereby improving employees' working conditions.

In a nutshell...

The high cost of robots is not simply a question of price, but reflects massive investment in cutting-edge technology, specialist engineering and complex manufacturing challenges. Each robot is the result of years of research and innovation, incorporating sophisticated components designed to deliver top-level performance in diverse and demanding environments.

 

Understanding these aspects makes it easier to better appreciate the cost of robots and to look beyond their initial price tag, recognising the innovation, expertise and lasting value they offer to industry and society as a whole.