By creating artificial intelligence and other machines, humans have proven the strength of their minds. In the manufacturing industry, has the technology become so dominating that it has become the dominant factor? Are currently experiencing robots taking over manufacturing lines or are we still to see it?
This is a question often discussed in today’s society. Creating artificial intelligence and automated machinery for the manufacturing process is human evolution through the power of the human mind. But will this be our biggest downfall for employment? The main question we need to be asking ourselves is, ‘have advancements in technology reached a threshold that jeopardizes employment in all industries. Will factories have an army of robots controlled by 1 person, now or in the future?
Luckily the answer to these controversial questions is not as black and white as one might believe. There is a huge argument that human skill beats robots in many sectors however in some manufacturing processes robots might dominate work. In short, some industries are under more threat than others.
Media and assumptions suggest that manufacturing and other industrial processes are slowly becoming dominated by automated robotics – in turn making human workers obsolete. Although this might be the case further down the line, most industries are now producing products that require finite details highly skilled tasks, that currently, robotics cannot match with a human.
The question has now become based around the lifespan of these human skilled tasks and whether or not robotics will evolve to a point where they will completely take over the majority of human copied jobs. Does the future of manufacturing seem uncertain to you? – In this article, we will paint a clearer picture and identify whether robotics will take over the industrial world.
The Robot Effect
It’s important to understand that robotic industrial machinery has been applied within manufacturing plants for decades. There are some processes that are extremely unskilled, dangerous, or time-consuming that have required the development of machinery to assist or automate certain processes.
The initial robots introduced into factories were applied in the 1960s, especially in the American automotive industry. The tasks they completed were very simple ranging from picking and placing and handling heavy objects. They were also generally human-operated.
When considering more automated guided vehicles they were first acknowledged in the 1950s, however only took off in the 1980s. Unlike vehicles, we see today that sense their surroundings and avoid collisions. These initial vehicles drove around using a guided rope. Over the past 40 years, we have seen huge jumps in technology that we see today in industrial automation.
In this day and age, it will be strange to walk into an industrial facility and not see robots being used for essential tasks. Usually, you’ll find the tasks to be repetitive, monotonous, and physically demanding labor. This is so that human power can be targeted to more important & complex areas of manufacturing where problem solving, knowledge & training is important. So, when we ask, ’will industrial machinery jobs be taken over by robots’ a factor that needs to be considered is that more unskilled jobs – such as warehouse or assembly line jobs – will be replaced by robots and put these jobs at risk.
Although it seems like all doom and gloom it’s not always the case that robots have a negative effect on the employment of industrial industries – they have in fact improved worker safety by decreasing injury rates. Many tasks that are classed or considered are now being assigned to industrial robotics which in turn is dramatically decreasing workplace accidents.
The Human Element
Although robots will continue to be helpful, the question of whether robots will replace all human labor in manufacturing can’t be answered. Humans cannot be replaced in certain manufacturing positions.
The complexity of some tasks cannot be handled by robots, since humans are the only ones who can do it. Robots accomplish repetitive tasks successfully when they are programmed to do them. Humans still have the responsibility of tasks that need customization, creativity, and personalization.
The fact that machinery left unsupervised can fail and cost companies thousands of dollars should never be forgotten. It is possible for machines to be unreliable, inefficient, and inefficient without human supervisors and overseers.
Despite the fact that robots are capable of performing complex tasks, if the profits made by those tasks are not enough to cover the costs of the robots, they will be ignored and replaced by humans. It is undeniable however that we rely heavily on technology. Nevertheless, not all parts of industrial processes are in the hands of robots. In fact, many manufacturing processes are still done manually. As a result, jobs in skilled areas requiring creativity, compassion, and social intelligence are likely to increase and remain occupied by humans for some time.
A simple answer to a complex question
So will robots take over industrial machinery jobs, or will the core fundamentals of all industries and processes continue to need a human element?
Digitalization is becoming a common trend in most industries, including manufacturing. Technology will become more widely available in the future, so even today’s highly expensive robots may become more affordable.
In the future, we will see artificial intelligence offer incredible opportunities. At the moment, machines must be programmed to perform movements, however, robots might soon be able to teach and service other devices. Although this could happen in the future, most machines are currently serviced and programmed by humans. Modern manufacturing facilities will need to find workers to take on the programming of modern machinery as technological advancements progress.
In contrast to older technology, all industrial robots now require some form of mechanical, electrical, or software maintenance. Jobs that require little or no skill may become scarce in the future, but better-paying posts that require more skill may rise in demand. This will lead to relatively greater job losses in low-skilled regions, compared to high-skilled ones, even within the same country. By increasing robotics, more jobs could be created than lost, thus increasing productivity and economic growth.
Robotization: Is it the right course of action? Several factors will determine the answer to this question. Depending on where you live, how much education you have, your skillset, the industry you work in, you may be able to secure a particular type of job or have trouble keeping hold of your job.
Written by Afonso Martins-Pereira
Author for Apton Plant, Agricultural Equipment & Construction Machinery Suppliers in the UK.