1.  Robot Insurance:  Please insure your robot for theft and damage.  Expensive robotics are a potential theft item, as well as susceptible to damage from collisions and abuse.  Check with your insurance agent for coverage types, such as liability and damage.  If the insurance agent is unsure of depreciation  or your latest add-on, you will need a declared insurance value.

2. System Data Backup:  Backup your robot regularly to removable media, just like your servers or personal data.  A factory default reload of your data may get your system running, watching your robot discover its world again is problematic if it has work to do.

3. Flooring / Surfaces:  Verify that the flooring is suitable for your robots travel path.  Wheel tread compositions may need to be altered if your robot lives in an office or in a warehouse.  A soft wheel for a vinyl floor may not hold up well on rough concrete.

4.  Batteries:  Let us know if you find a powerful, inexpensive, light weight battery that has unlimited cycle life. 

 Until then, we will use what is available in 2010.  Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries are a good bargain.  Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) batteries and Super-Capacitors are very expensive for most applications, but prices are dropping.  The best option is to plan out the estimated battery life in the robots daily life, and replace as needed.  Operating in the energy scavenge mode will prolong the battery life also.

5.  Cooling and Dust:   Unless your robot lives in a clean room, it will breath some dust.  Unlike most air breathing animals, our robots cannot clear its air passages by coughing.  A little dust is ok, but too much, over time will cause problems, namely cooling.  The electronics are mostly air cooled, and a coating of dust insulates the heat transfer surfaces, causing overheating, shortened life and other performance problems.  Periodic cleaning "operations" are needed to keep your robot healthy.

6.  Moisture and Humidity:  Water is a universal solvent, and electronics are susceptible.  The main issue is corrosion, resulting in short circuits, weak or intermittent connections and system failure.  Most systems have covers that may limit liquid incursion, but few are swimming pool safe, let alone a good rain shower.  Controlling the operating environment is the best policy for longevity.  The same holds true for humidity, most buildings have a controlled environment, and humidity is usually not an issue provided it is not at the extreme ends of the RH range.  However,  having your robot move from an outdoor winter task to an indoor heated swimming pool room will result in moisture condensing on cold parts, which will cause long term problems, if not immediate failures.  Also in this case, remember that optics could be fogged over, and your robot may be temporarily blinded.   In the case of extreme low RH conditions, static charges can build up, especially due to the wheel movement.  It is recommended that a method is used to dissipate the charge.

7.  Robot Transportation and Shipping:  The transportation and Shipping of mobile robotics are subject to risks such as damages.  Mobile robots are made to move, however when moved outside their designed environment, care and planning is required.  Some small robots can be simply picked up and carried away.  Larger robots require assistance by such means as trailers and fork lifts.  Shipping robots must be undertaken carefully.  Typically robots are disassembled to reduce the size, weight and damage exposure.  Such heavy components as batteries and drive trains can be separated and shipped separately.  Fragile components should also be protected as well as water proofing and electrostatic protection in critical sections.  Movable components should be locked down or secured.  Using a check list for transporting or shipping your robot will help it to arrive in excellent condition.  Consider insurance to protect your investment, as well as reporting damage for repairs is critical.

8.  Battery Transportation and Shipping:  The transportation and Shipping of batteries and battery packs is regulated.  New shipping rules on high energy batteries are designed for safety concerns.  Please check into the rules and regulations at such sites as:
Federal Aviation Admin.
Dept. of Transportation
49 CFR Chapter 49 Code Federal Reg

You should check with your local shipper for additional rules and procedures.