The manufacturing world has been through many transformations over the years. From mass production of cheaper parts and lean manufacturing principles to the inclusion of robotics and technology, there is always a better way to build a mousetrap. Now that there are more efficient ways of managing robotics in the manufacturing space, a new breed of smart robots is emerging on the market that is once again making big changes in manufacturing.
A new generation of industrial robots makes its debut.
Meet “Baxter”, a 300-lb 6-foot tall robot with built-in facial expressions designed to work in a plastic manufacturing plant in Connecticut. By using a simple human-computer interface, every employee at the facility can easily see if Baxter is working correctly and teach it new tasks without complicated programing. In the future, robotics like Baxter will be able to perform unlimited tasks to augment the skills of human employees, making it more cost effective than the specialized robots of the past.
What about manufacturing robotics and cloud computing?
Additionally, the use of cloud computing is making it easier and cheaper for manufacturing companies to utilize robotics. Instead of sending work overseas to take advantage of cheap labor, many assembly work can be done by robotics operators in the USA. And these manufacturing robotics are not merely limited to standard robot stations confined to the plant floor. Mobile robots, which include aerial and autonomous units are making their way to manufacturing plants around the nation. In the past, robotics were criticized for being cumbersome and requiring a special database to operate, but now cloud-based robotic software enables robots to be adapted for human work purposes.
How will new robotics in manufacturing affect the job market?
The International Federation of Robotics released a special report entitled Positive Impact of Industrial Robots on Employment, which indicated that the industrial robots currently in operation (nearly one million) have been directly responsible for the addition of new jobs. The report also goes on to state that, “Robots will help to create jobs in some of the most critical industries of this century: consumer electronics, food, solar & wind power, and advanced battery manufacturing.” It is estimated that another one million in human jobs will be the result of adding more smart robots to industrial organizations over the next five years.
If you are looking to work with manufacturing staffing agencies in Michigan or Ohio, contact Advance Staffing Solutions today.
