Persistent tracking and monitoring of animatronics using IoT capabilities

Advances in robotic technology have prompted a proliferation of applications beyond traditional service environments. For example, museums are using more social robotic displays to engage their patrons. The result is that these social robots are being operated beyond the direct control and technical support of those trained in robotic technology. It is therefore beneficial to incorporate real time health monitoring of the robotic system to recognize the need for technical support. Through incorporation of technology often referred as the Internet of Things, technical support can monitor operations remotely to ascertain needed interventions. This paper describe the development and deployment of a 5 degree of freedom animatronic vulture in a distant museum exhibition. In addition to monitoring during exhibition, technology was utilized to monitor the fragile sculpture during shipment. The information was transmitted to the authors in the real time, yielding valuable conclusions about the remote well-being and operation of the sculpture.