Companies are looking to enhance the capacity of human workers instead of replacing.
According to MIT’s recent report on recent industrial robotics trends and challenges, collaborative robots have been entering manufacturing environments more over the past decade. However, there is still a pressing need to examine how best to increase access of autonomous robots within more companies while standardizing the technological infrastructure that comes with using them.
Most businesses are generally optimistic about the kind of assistance these robots can offer in day-to-day operations. Research shows that, instead of replacing their workers, these companies see the use of new technologies as an opportunity to enhance human creativity and innovation.
Numerous companies have expressed that workers with “deep knowledge of manufacturing processes” remain a vital part of the industry. Some companies have instead turned to creating “Robot Experience Centers” that allow engineers to work alongside line workers who have new ideas on how to repurpose robots for various kinds of tasks. In fact, one company has also emphasized the use of cloud technology to enable both researchers and consumers to share robotic solutions on certain tasks.
Similarly, this also led to the discussion of the role of robots on the factory floor. Several companies have asserted that it is now more about “programming the task and not the robot.” This means allowing workers to reprogram robots according to changing production needs without the need for sophisticated programming skills.
However, there has still been major apprehension by some workers themselves in accepting these new technologies. The research indicates that this could potentially be addressed by involving workers in the technological design and integration process to achieve smoother adoption of technology.
In addition, the “ease of programming” coupled with advancements in robotics could see more small and medium enterprises (SMEs) integrating these technologies in the future, allowing them to be more competitive in the market.
The biggest issue companies had with autonomous robots concerned safety and standardization. Manufacturers have emphasized that the “longevity and robustness” of certain technologies tend to be unclear despite how “desirable” they may be. There were also concerns about whether the safety systems of robots could ensure that they can safely work next to human workers.
Traditionally, robots worked in contained environments—usually in cages—separate from human assembly lines. As companies are pushing for more a more collaborative approach, there is a need to reevaluate and improve safety standards to allow this to happen. Companies have also expressed that while using lightweight robots could be a potential solution, this could subsequently limit payload capacity, which isn’t the most optimal scenario.
To learn more, see the complete report here.
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