ExRobotics B.V.
Robot System
Operating Guide
Document No.:
20190122IP1
Version No.: 12
Owner:
Ian Peerless
Date:
2021-07-20
Page 26 of 30
This document is considered an uncontrolled copy when printed. Always ensure that you print and use a current version.
Copyright 2021 ExRobotics B.V.
8.4.
Why doesn’t my controller work
?
This is usually because your control station thinks it’s connected to more than one controller.
(devices like USB mice or keyboards with extra multimedia buttons can be interpreted as
“controllers”
). You can check the situation by going to
any additional devices that are identified as controllers. The website also enables you to test your
main controller.
8.5.
How much data will the robot transfer over its wireless connection?
When the robot is “asleep” it transfers around 1GB of data per month.
During a mission most of the
data is consumed by the video streams. This typically amounts to 1 GB per hour.
Untick the “keep awake” box when the robot isn’t being used. This will shut down the cameras and
gas detectors that use most of the 4G bandwidth. Re-ticking the box will wake the robot.
8.6.
How long will the robot’s batteries last?
In operation this depends on usage and the age of the batteries. However, the life of a full battery
pack will usually lie between:
▪
90 minutes (ExR-1) or 150 minutes (ExR-2)
if a robot’s driven continuously.
▪
7 hours if it’s static with its sensors on (but no lights).
Usually, a robot should be stored on its docking station when not in use so it will be charged via its
induction charger. However sometimes this isn’t p
ossible (e.g. during transport). In this case a full
ExR-1 battery pack will last:
▪
2 years if the robot is switched off using its black on/off switch.
▪
2 days
if it’s static and asleep
(i.e
. the “keep awake” option on the control station is not
checked).
Never leave the quick charger connected to the robot but not to a power supply. This will reduce a
full battery’s life to 6 weeks even if the robot is switched off.
Although this should be avoided, ExR-2 robots will automatically shut-down if the battery voltage is
too low. This protects the batteries which should be undamaged unless the robot is
n’t
connected to
a charger within 2 weeks.
Sometimes the 3 batteries in a robot’s battery pack become “unbalanced” and battery life declines
significantly. They may be re-generated as described in Section 7.5.
8.7.
Why am I surprised by the battery level reported by the cloud software?
ExR-1 robots estimate their battery charge percentage using the measured voltage. This is
inaccurate and non-linear so you may experience unexpected changes in capacity.
ExR-2 robots have a more sophisticated chip that calculates battery charge percentage based on
power used. In most situations this will be accurate. However, if the robot is switched on after the
quick charger has been plugged into the robot the battery percentage will always be reported as
0%.
