Robot Lifecycle Basics
Stages to plan for
| Stage | Consideration |
|---|---|
| Selection | Fit for the task and the environment |
| Commissioning | Acceptance criteria and records |
| Operation | Training, procedures and data |
| Maintenance | Preventive schedule and spares |
| Mid-life | Retrofit and software updates |
| End of life | Replacement or decommissioning |
Why it matters
- Lifecycle cost is dominated by service and downtime, not purchase price.
- Documentation quality determines how fast problems are solved years later.
- Support availability should be checked before, not after, purchase.
Lifecycle assumptions depend on duty cycle and environment. Base plans on your own operating data.