Why Robots Meant for the Real World Need to Be Built Different

Most failures in outdoor robotics come not from software, but from exposure: water, grime, vibration, and wear. As ULC Technologies points out, these challenges are fundamental to outdoor use, not occasional setbacks, but core design requirements.

To succeed, real-world robots need a different design approach, one that prioritizes long-term durability and field maintainability from the outset.

Built for the Conditions They’ll Actually Face

Robots operating outdoors must endure constant challenges: rain, puddles, dust buildup, UV exposure, temperature swings, vibration, and interaction with people.

These aren’t rare situations; they happen all the time. Outdoor robots need to be designed with these conditions in mind from the start, not adjusted for them later.

Design Isn’t Just About Performance It’s About Longevity

Durability is about more than component toughness. It’s about how a system holds up after hundreds of hours, not just how it performs on day one. That requires careful material selection, structural design that absorbs shock, and protection for sensors and electronics.

But durability alone isn’t enough. Maintenance needs to be straightforward, fast, and possible in the field. A robot that breaks less often but takes hours to repair isn’t built to scale. That’s why serviceability must be part of the design, not a secondary concern.

Environmental Testing Can’t Be Skipped

A truly durable robot isn’t proven through sunny-day demos; it's validated through rigorous lab and field testing. That includes everything from ingress protection and vibration testing to thermal cycling and failure mapping.

This kind of work requires real engineering investment and it's often overlooked in robotics platforms that are trying to move quickly. But for robots that will live outside, it’s the only way forward.

A Platform Designed to Withstand

At Intermode, we built the Modal to meet these challenges head-on. It’s a modular, outdoor robotics platform engineered for daily use in uncontrolled environments. Every unit is designed for weather resistance, ease of servicing, and operational uptime not theoretical performance.

We don’t just deliver the robot and walk away. Because Modal is leased, we’re directly responsible for keeping it running. That means preventative maintenance, rapid repairs, and continuous improvement are built into the offering not added later.

Built to Be Reliable, Backed to Stay That Way

Outdoor robots aren’t just machines, they're infrastructure. And infrastructure needs to last. That’s why robots like Modal must be built and backed for the real world. That only happens when resilience is built into every layer of the system: mechanical, electrical, and operational.

Modal isn’t a concept or demo unit. It’s a tested, deployable machine built for the real world.

Because robots can’t adapt to the environment if the hardware isn’t ready for it.

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Sources:

The Unique Challenges of Building Outdoor Robots | ULC Technologies Blog

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