Workshop robot in development: Johnny 5 is alive?

1 April 2019  

Technicians could soon be able to concentrate on the more complex diagnostic-related jobs the workshop, if a prototype drone technician proves to be as effective as its developers claim.

Robotics experts in California, working with a consortium of garage owners based across America have announced that they have developed a working prototype of an automated repair drone, intended to undertake routine maintenance and repair tasks in  garages. The drone, which has been named Automotive Bionic Repair Logistics – Fully Limbed,  or ABRL – FL for short. The drone will be able to operate independently once the vehicle and task have been identified.  It is designed to perform tasks such as wheel and tyre changes bulb changes, wiper changes, as well as valeting.

Miles Dyson, Lead Developer at Omni-Tyrell Cybernetics said: “We see ABRL-FL as a useful tool for garages going forward. As vehicles become more complex, human technicians need to spend more time diagnosing ever more complex faults. To enable them to do so, robotics can alleviate the more routine tasks, creating that extra time needed to perform the more labour-intensive, thinking tasks.”

Roy L. Fuchs is co-owner at Fuchs Brothers Autos in Phoenix, Arizona and also head of the consortium. He said: “We pay technicians do perform complex tasks in our businesses, and we think we will get more bangs for our buck, if you will pardon my French, if they can concentrate on the more important tasks.”

Field trials of ABRL-FL are set to take begin next April. Once on the market, Omni-Tyrell Cybernetics expect to develop more advanced models that can take on more complex tasks.