El Hadji Lam
Engl 21700
Professor Zlotnick
12/03/24
Robotics in Manufacturing: Challenges and Benefits
Have you ever found yourself puzzled by those “CAPTCHA” prompts from Google asking, “Are you a robot?” They seem harmless, but their underlying purpose dives deep into the world of automation and artificial intelligence. While it may appear to be a quirky security measure, it reflects a growing dependence on technology, a trending reality in our daily lives. First of all, what is a robot? What is its purpose? A robot is a machine that can sense its environment, make decisions, and perform actions. Robots can be programmed by a computer and can be controlled externally or have built-in controls. They can be designed to look like humans or animals. There are many types of robots like robot manufacturing, autonomous robots and so on. However, we will be talking about robotics in manufacturing. Robotics in particular manufacturing are automated programmable machines that carry out industrial tasks like pick and place, welding, gluing, inspection, and more using a series of actions on an object or workflow.
This analysis illustrates the transformative impact of robotic manufacturing on modern industry, analyzing its benefits in terms of efficiency and precision while critically assessing challenges, including job displacement, technological vulnerability, and the potential diminishment of human creativity. The aim is to showcase the need for a balanced approach to robotic integration that maximizes advantages while addressing inherent risks. In an age where technology is increasingly integral to our lives, understanding robots and their implications becomes essential.
Robotic manufacturing has undeniably revolutionized the production landscape. By optimizing operations, reducing labor costs, and enhancing product quality, it has become a critical component in modern manufacturing strategies.
For instance, take low cost as an example. According to the article Robots in manufacturing written by the company Robots Done Right LLC, it explores the benefits of robots in manufacturing in an amazing way that companies would be willing to try to use robots for their industries. You must be wondering how it lowers the cost. The article outlined that robots effectively reduce costs in several areas. Robots can perform tasks previously handled by human workers, eliminating the need for wages, benefits, and associated costs like compensation.Using robots reduces waste because their precise movements and consistent performance minimize errors and material spoilage, contributing to lower material costs. By the way, material waste refers to the excess or unusable materials leftover during a manufacturing process. It can be scraps, defective products, or materials lost due to inaccuracies in production. Additionally, how Robots are designed allows them to function in varying conditions without needing lighting or affected by the weather conditions. They are very flexible and reliable. “Lower Costs – Automating with industrial robots is one of the best ways to lower manufacturing costs. Factory robots can lower costs associated with labor, materials, and utilities. Robotic automation decreases human involvement in manufacturing, reducing salary, benefit, and worker injury claim costs. Material waste is reduced through the accuracy of robots, lowering the amount of materials used.”(n.d)
Another benefit mentioned by the company Leonhardt is that they improved the workplace safety “Robots can handle tasks such as heavy lifting”(n.d.). Robots excel in performing tasks that are dangerous for humans, such as heavy lifting and handling dangerous materials. This capability significantly reduces the risk of workplace accidents, which can lead to injuries or long-term health issues for employees. Furthermore, robots can operate in extreme conditions, such as high-temperature environments, where human workers would be at risk. By ensuring that robots operate safely alongside human workers, manufacturers can create a safer working environment that minimizes the risk of injury.
A lot of big companies now are using robots. Take amazon as an example, according to their website the integration of robots allows them for quicker retrieval and sorting of items. Robots like Kiva, which can transport products across vast warehouse spaces, work alongside human employees to streamline operations. This strategy not only speeds up the order fulfillment process but also helps to reduce the physical strain on workers, as robots handle the heavy lifting.
Based on my knowledge in the ressource, the adaptation of robotics in the industry allows companies to grow. One of the primary ways robots contribute is through increased productivity. In manufacturing, for instance, robots can work continuously without fatigue, significantly boosting output and allowing human workers to focus on more complex and creative tasks. It’s kind of ironic that the use of robots might put some people out of a job but it’s a great benefit for the company owner to save money and keep producing new things without thinking about the employee’s salary. Of course humans are necessary for growth because you will need their intelligence for the creation of new things. Since humans are crucial for the industry, robots will help them by gathering all that information and performing the task. Robots have the ability to gather and process vast amounts of information. As technology continues to evolve, the integration of robotics will only deepen, enabling companies to achieve sustainable growth and remain competitive in the marketplace.
While robotics in manufacturing offers efficiency, cost savings, improved safety, and competitiveness, it also brings challenges such as high upfront costs, workforce impacts, and potential over-reliance on technology. Balancing these pros and cons is crucial for manufacturers to make informed decisions about incorporating robotics into their operations.
“The initial cost of a robotic system can be steep and may be one of the biggest holdups for businesses deciding on whether or not to automate.(n.d.)” According to the article written by the company Robotic Done Right One of the primary concerns is upfront investment required. Acquiring, installing, and integrating robotic systems can entail high costs, potentially straining the budgets of even well established companies. This is particularly challenging for smaller businesses with limited financial resources, placing them at a competitive disadvantage compared to larger companies that can more easily absorb these costs. The upfront costs can be substantial, often making it challenging for businesses to decide whether to automate. Relying on technology to do everything isn’t a good idea you might think and be ready on the day that might not work. Don’t make mistakes, technology is a system and it can always be broken so you better have another strategy. While you wait to be fixed you still keep working rather than waiting for your tool.
Another example would be job displacement, a big mistake that most companies make. According to this quote written by Robert U. Ayres and Steven M. Miller “ They cannot substitute for skilled machinists or other workers doing non routine jobs. or specialized, dedicated hard automation used in mass production. The current generation of robots, lacking sensory data processing and interpretation capabilities, can potentially replace up to 1.3 million manufacturing jobs.(1983)” It outlined the important points about the limitations and potential impacts of robots in the workforce. Robots can automate repetitive tasks, but they cannot fully replace skilled workers that require adaptability, creativity, and judgment. It’s not about how accurate they can be, there are things that only humans can do. Sometimes it can risk using robotics, they are programmed by people, so it can malfunction sometimes and there is also a time limit that they can function. Based on my research I think you don’t want to rely on a programming machine that might stop work on time rather than people who are exactly skilled and can perform the task as it should be.
“Stefano La Rovere, director of global robotics, mechatronics, and sustainable packaging at Amazon, said that, rather than replacing jobs, advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and other technologies are enhancing people’s roles. He added that new technology is leading to the creation of entirely new job categories.(n.d.)” According to this quote we can say that technology can serve as a tool for enhancement rather than replacement. It indicates a shift in the job market where workers may need to adapt to new roles that leverage these technologies, ultimately creating opportunities for growth and development in various fields. I also agree with this because one thing is sure that robotics is really good in the industry but with the help of the human power and skill your company will grow for sure. Most of the companies who are using robots just fired people because of the benefits such as compensation and so on. You want to be a developed industry I’ll suggest using both robotic accuracy and human knowledge. After all, robots are made by humans. Amazon is doing a great job on combining the robots and the human skill. “The goal of robotics technology within Amazon’s operations is simple: pair employees with the right technology to make their workday safer, easier, and more productive, while delivering packages to customers faster than ever.(n.d.)” Amazon’s approach reflects this quote by combining human skills with robotic technology in several key ways. For example, robots handle tasks like moving heavy packages within warehouses, reducing the physical strain on human employees. Meanwhile, humans oversee the robots, manage complex situations requiring judgment, and perform tasks that still require dexterity and critical thinking. This will ensure a certain future when both parties are working helping each other for only one purpose to succeed.
Ultimately, the integration of robotics into manufacturing has fundamentally made a difference in the landscape of the modern industry. The advancements in automation have led to significant improvements in efficiency and precision, streamlining operations and reducing human error. As robots take on tasks that require speed and accuracy, industries benefit from reduced production times and enhanced product quality. However, this shift does not come without challenges. The reliance on robotic systems raises concerns about job displacement, as machines take over roles traditionally held by humans. This transition can create a workforce that feels marginalized and uncertain about the future.
Reference Page
Ayres, R. U., & Miller, S. M. (1983). Robotic Realities: Near-Term Prospects and Problems. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 470, 28–55. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1044798
Greenawalt, T (n.d.). Amazon robotics: Meetpackage the 8 robots powering your Amazon deliveries.
Leonhardt Manufacturing Company. (n.d.). Company. Leonhardt Manufacturing. https://www.leonhardtmfg.com/company/
Robots Done Right LLC. (n.d.). Advantages vs disadvantages of industrial robots. Robots Done Right. https://robotsdoneright.com/Articles/advantages-vs-disadvantages-of-industrial-robots.html#:~:text=Initial%20Cost%20%2D%20The%20initial%20cost%20of,higher%20productivity%20rates%20will%20allow%20companies%20to.
