Abstract
This paper reports a new process which can be used to repurpose a robot at the end of its primary life. Repurposing a robot enables it to continue delivering value beyond the point at which it might have been otherwise recycled or scrapped. The repurposing process was created using the future thinking forecasting methodology known as a Delphi Study. This paper shows there are some similarities between a process for repurposing, to processes for developing new systems and remanufacturing systems. However this new process contains unique elements, highlighting the value and potential of challenging accepted norms for the management of robot systems when they reach the end of their useful life and could otherwise be considered e-waste.
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Acknowledgements
The work of HM was supported by the EPSRC through FARSCOPE CDT, grant no. EP/S021795/1. Thank you to Shabaj Ahmed, Daniel Gosden, and Ella Maule for piloting the questionnaires used in this study.
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McGloin, H., Studley, M., Mawle, R., Winfield, A. (2025). Consulting an Oracle; Repurposing Robots for the Circular Economy. In: Huda, M.N., Wang, M., Kalganova, T. (eds) Towards Autonomous Robotic Systems. TAROS 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 15051. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-72059-8_10
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