The Future of Robotics: Paving the Way for Faster Production
What do you think of when you hear the word "robot"? Do you imagine a sci-fi-like creature with wires sticking out of its head, or do you think about the concept more abstractly, such as AI? Either way, robotics are here to stay and are developing rapidly along with our other technologies. However, despite their promising qualities, several aspects of their nature worry many modern programmers and could change how you see them.
What Are “Robotics”?
Robotics is a branch of engineering that focuses on the operation, design, and management of robots. In that case, what is a robot? A robot is a machine programmed by a computer able to execute various actions simultaneously. Whether this be sensing its environment, making decisions, or acting out subsequent actions, the machine is programmed to follow its predestined path. Some robots are controlled using an external device, allowing distance-based management.
Automotive, electronic, metal, construction, and pharmaceutical initiatives already use automated machinery to hasten production. However, many individuals fear the negative aspects of robotics and discuss possible preventative measures to minimize them. Below is a list of the advantages and disadvantages of robotics and how they influence the way many people perceive robots as a concept.
Advantages
Increased Productivity, Efficiency, and Safety
Robots are precise. They do not have to deal with human aspects of work such as boredom and exhaustion, and their continuous work can significantly increase productivity and efficiency of production work-lines. Automated production is, on average, substantially faster than human production and allows for increased profit for the manufacturing company. Robots improve product quality along with their work, and automation allows for consistent product output, making quality control much more manageable.
Robots can also execute work in situations that might be hazardous to humans. This is already used in a variety of scenarios, from emergency scenarios to exploration within critical areas.
FASTER, a European R&D project is an example of just that. The project focuses on providing tools to reduce response times for teams working in emergencies with the help of new technologies. Their main project is the FASTER robot vehicle, which will include a platform, a robotic arm, and a sensor for detecting the environment. Projects such as this can significantly reduce the cost of human life in critical situations and ensure the safety of dangerous missions.
Flexibility in a Variety of Tasks
Behind every robot are lines of computer code created by human coders. On account of this, it is simple to adapt and shape a robot for its specific owner. This creates many benefits, ranging from fast transitions between tasks to cutting manufacturing costs. Robots can quickly adapt to a changing environment and handle unpredictable changes within the workspace. Physical flexibility is implemented through robotic arms with an extended reach for maximum efficiency.
Through machine learning, flexibility is becoming more accessible to even AI tools. Robots are constantly improving their learning process and adapting to unfamiliar situations. Companies like ChatGPT and MidJourney use unsupervised machine learning to improve their services.
Automation Cuts Manufacturing Costs
According to David Kirk, a brand contributor at Forbes, automation usually results in a 40 to 75% decrease in manufacturing costs. The real number is heavily dependent on the type of production and the traditional cost. Nevertheless, it makes a difference.
Automation also minimizes waste production, ensuring that every piece of available material is used to its fullest. Waste reduction leads to further cuts in manufacturing costs, as materials do not have to be recycled and redone multiple times. It also correlates to a positive environmental impact, as materials are used sustainably and cautiously.
Disadvantages
Environmental Impact
Industrial robots, especially the ones in automated production, are incredibly energetically expensive. Their usage significantly contributes to the emission of greenhouse gasses, which in turn leads to a faster development of global warming. Automation further accelerates the use of natural resources, which leads to the depletion of critical sources of minerals and metals, for example. Furthermore, mining and production of electronics contribute to soil erosion and pollution associated with excavating valuable materials from the Earth's crust.
When a robot stops working, its impact doesn't end either. The waste from robots contains dangerous chemicals, such as lead and mercury. When it is not disposed of correctly, it can contaminate soil, resulting in negative environmental impacts.
Job Displacement
A recent study conducted by Oxford University found that one robot could force 3-6 people out of work in a given workspace. A poll by Gallup found that around 25% of workers fear that their jobs will be replaced by AI. The worry of job displacement is valid in every possible way. Employers are much more likely to choose automated manufacturing instead of human workers due to the advantages discussed above and the added benefit of not having to pay worker wages.
Unapproachable Due to Initial Costs and Maintenance
According to StandardBots, a new robot costs between $50,000 and $80,000. This cost is heavily variable to several elements, primarily producer reputation, durability, precision, and complexity. All of these elements can influence the overall quality of the robot, which can then increase or decrease its return value. Furthermore, the price tag above only includes the physical robot, and can expand with programming costs. Thanks to these sky-high costs, new businesses in the industry find it hard to gather equipment and forces them to pursue a different career approach.
Maintenance is another issue. According to FsStudio, maintenance costs reach about $10,000 annually for operation and $500 more for battery upgrades and other preventative measures. An added preventative cost of $5,000 is added every fifth year or operation to replace internal elements within the robot, such as wire harnesses.
So, What’s the Future of Robotics?
This is a question discussed a lot within the scientific community. Some are worried about the robots' ethical implications, and others worry about their environmental impact. These valid claims only push forward the need to establish energetically efficient designs and put out rules regarding the use of robotics within the workspace.
