Describe a complete operating mission
A robot's average power demand depends on what it does, not just the motor rating. Describe the route or task, payload range, acceleration pattern, stationary work and idle time. Include computers, sensors, communications and other auxiliary loads. If several operating modes matter, document each separately. A measured mission trace helps a battery supplier distinguish between a robot that travels continuously and one that spends most of its time waiting. This is the foundation for a useful energy and current requirement.
Separate energy from peak demand
Use the mission's energy consumption to discuss runtime, then evaluate current peaks on their own. Starting, turning, lifting or climbing can create demands that differ from steady motion. State peak magnitude, duration and repetition, and include the controller's behavior. A pack with adequate nominal energy may still be unsuitable for the load transitions. Ask for the finished battery assembly's allowable continuous and peak output under the intended conditions rather than applying a cell-level rating to the entire robot installation.
Include charging in the availability plan
Decide whether the robot charges between shifts, docks during short opportunities or uses a service-replacement approach. Record the available charging time, charger characteristics and required readiness after charging. Faster charging is a system question involving the selected cells, pack, contacts, temperature and charger. It should not be inferred from a connector type or a marketing phrase. Ask the responsible design teams to confirm the permitted charging behavior and validate it through the actual docking or connection arrangement.
Specify information the controller needs
The host may need battery status to schedule tasks and decide when to return for charging. Identify required data, update rates, communication behavior and responses to missing information. State-of-charge estimates should be validated against the mission rather than treated as exact remaining minutes. Define the required shutdown and recovery behavior with the robot engineering team. A documented interface helps software development proceed with a clear contract and avoids discovering late that the proposed battery reports fewer values than the controller expects.
Validate with representative missions
Test samples in the actual robot with agreed payloads, routes, temperatures and software. Record the battery model, cell configuration, firmware, connector and drawing revisions. Include repeated missions and the planned charging approach in the evaluation. Jetray lists robot battery solutions on its public site, including several related pack models; that listing is a starting point for discussion rather than proof of suitability for every robot or AGV. The final selection should follow the specific mission requirements and controlled validation results. Share the measured mission trace with both the battery supplier and controller team to resolve disagreements about the required load.
Sources & further reading
Prepared for the robotics & agv battery projects collection. General engineering guidance does not replace a model-specific datasheet or application validation. Source review: 4 November 2026.