Imagine you need a robot with a really small cross-section, to move in a tight workshop. We have all sorts of engineering solutions that can allow a mass to balance itself on a single spherical wheel. So here, a slender egg shape robot, balancing itself on a single wheel, can negotiate obstacles much better. Or you can use something installed on triangular or square pedstall with wheels at each corner. Such things can be used to move packages on uneven pavements, or in hazardous environment.
Water and Sewage pipes are increasingly found in dilapidated state. Bridges now require routine inspection. Human beings may not be in the most ideal situation to service these constructions. We can build a robot, that can enter sewage pipes automatically and on a pre-determined schedule, and take pictures or record clips Engineers can later examine them for signs of leakge or breakage.
Another challenging environment is when you have a large surface to examine, but it is located mere inches or fraction of an inch right above or below another surface. A flat bed robot can easily be guided to go inside and send videos to help us understand the situation.
People and organizations often don't forsee that they might someday need a particular technology. Often
lacking creativity, they think they have to deal with the problems in whatever torturous way the status quo dictates.
But once they are shown and educated about tools, and hardware that can make accomplishing their goals,
faster, cheaper, less painful or even possible at all, they would appreciate the creativity we are offering.
This has been the back story behind most modern inventions.
People don't know they need something, until they see it.