What comes to mind when you hear the word “robot”? Do you picture a metallic humanoid in a spaceship in the distant future? Perhaps you imagine a dystopian future where humanity is enslaved by its robot overlords. Or maybe you are thinking of an automobile assembly line with robot-like machines putting cars together.

Whatever you think, one thing is sure: robots are here to stay. Fortunately, it seems likely that robots will be more about doing repetitive or dangerous tasks than seizing supreme executive power. Let’s look at Robotics Technology, defining and classifying the term, figuring out the role of Artificial Intelligence in the field, the future of Robotics Technology, and how robotics will change our lives.

What Is Robotics Technology?

Robotics Technology is the intersection of science, engineering and technology that produces machines, called robots, that replicate or substitute for human actions. Pop culture has always been fascinated with robots — examples include R2-D2, the Terminator and WALL-E. These over-exaggerated, humanoid concepts of robots usually seem like a caricature of the real thing. But are they more forward thinking than we realize? Robots are gaining intellectual and mechanical capabilities that don’t put the possibility of an R2-D2-like machine out of reach in the future.

As technology progresses, so too does the scope of what is considered robotics. In 2005, 90 percent of all robots could be found assembling cars in automotive factories. These robots consist mainly of mechanical arms tasked with welding or screwing on certain parts of a car. 

Today, we’re seeing an evolved and expanded definition of Robotics Technology that includes the development, creation and use of bots that accomplish tasks like exploring the planet’s harshest conditions, assisting law enforcement, streamlining surgical procedures and undertaking rescue missions.

How Robotics Technology Will Impact Employment?

Robotics and automation engineering will change the operations and workings of different sectors.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is one of the major sectors that will benefit the most from Robotics Technology and automation. For instance, many intelligent robotic arms and automated solutions are finding their way into the automotive and manufacturing industry. Special AI-enabled solutions are being utilized in place of human labor to assemble big and complex machines. This increases the efficiency of the operation by completing a task without any delay and error. In addition, this will reduce the need for the human labor force that possesses basic cognitive skills. Instead, the need for human resources like engineers, programmers, etc., with specialized technical knowledge will significantly increase.

Law Enforcement

Another sector that can reap significant benefits of Robotics Technology and automation is law enforcement. Hollywood depictions of robots taking over the world by acting as police officers are an overstatement and a brag. Integration of AI-enabled innovations will not cause joblessness among human law enforcers. Rather, it is going to save and prevent the loss of life. For instance, smart robots are used for bomb disposal, mine clearance, surveillance, etc. Also, many IoT innovations and solutions are developed concerning surveillance that can help patrol and run vehicle license plates easily. OLIOS is a smart solution that helps run the license plate of parked vehicles. With the help of smart sensors, it can run the record from the registration number and analyze the vehicle’s legal status within a few seconds. This ensures holistic security and citizen protection while helping recover the stolen vehicles or fighting against organized crimes and terrorism.

Agriculture

Like any other industry, agriculture is positively affected by the development of Robotics Technology and automation. With the consistent increase in the population worldwide, the necessity for food is also increasing. Thus, the agriculture sector must incorporate IoT innovation and smart solutions. Also, this means that the physical and manual labor of the farmer will decrease while the technical and smart knowledge will be promoted. Hence, many farmers are utilizing automated sensors for smart farming. This helps in the accurate dispersal of water on the crop, helping in the efficient growth of the field. In addition, with modern technology, farmers can get accurate weather forecasting analysis, helping them make better decisions in saving their flies from floods and increasing the yield of their crops.

Advantages of Robots in the Workplace

Safety

Safety is the most obvious advantage of utilizing Robotics Technology. Heavy machinery, machinery that runs at hot temperatures, and sharp objects can easily injure a human being. By delegating dangerous tasks to a robot, you’re more likely to look at a repair bill than a serious medical bill or a lawsuit. Employees who work dangerous jobs will be thankful that robots can remove some of the risks.

Speed

Robots don’t get distracted or need to take breaks. They don’t request vacation time or ask to leave an hour early. A robot will never feel stressed out and start running slower. They also don’t need to be invited to employee meetings or training sessions. Robots can work all the time, and this speeds up production. They keep your employees from having to overwork themselves to meet high pressure deadlines or seemingly impossible standards.

Perfection

Robots will always deliver quality. Since they’re programmed for precise, repetitive motion, they’re less likely to make mistakes. In some ways, robots are simultaneously an employee and a quality control system. A lack of quirks and preferences, combined with the eliminated possibility of human error, will create a predictably perfect product every time.

Productivity

Robots can’t do everything. Some jobs absolutely need to be completed by a human. If your human employees aren’t caught up doing the things that could have easily been left for robots, they’ll be available and productive. They can talk to customers, answer emails and social media comments, help with branding and marketing, and sell products. You’ll be amazed at how much they can accomplish when the grunt work isn’t weighing them down.

Disadvantages of Robots in the Workplace

Cannot handle unexpected situations

Robots require programming, which means all their behavior has to be pre-determined. Although some robots have the ability to “improvise”, they typically cannot handle unexpected situations. That is to say, if they are not programmed for the situation, they cannot work around it.

Lack critical thinking

Going off the previous point, robots cannot think critically. Critical thinking is an important problem-solving skill that aids humans facing unexpected challenges, as well as in making decisions among many choices.

Lack empathy

Empathy is critical in successful human interaction, especially in people-oriented industries such as customer service. Robots cannot perform the nuances of empathetic interaction as well as humans.

Should you be worried about your job then?

Robots and automated IoT innovations will likely enhance the working and operation of different sectors. The business owner’s faction will instill them to ensure uninterrupted progress, profit, and prosperity. Indeed, the fear of a boom in the integration of automation and robotics in the workplace is justifiable.

Nevertheless, IoT innovations and automation in different businesses will not entirely cause a massive jobless situation. Rather, it will increase their skill set and proficiency by making them tech savvy. It is pertinent to say that the future will be influenced by Artificial Intelligence, IoT innovation, automation, and Robotics Technology. Hence, human labor will become more proficient in their qualifications and skills. The advancement in IT may cut down the large ratio of physical and manual work but will require them to possess technological and higher cognitive skills.

As per a study by McKinsey, there will be a 90 percent definite need for people or labor force that possess advanced IT and programming skills by 2030. This shows that the job opportunities will be there but only for those who are adaptive, innovative, and possess a fine quality of technical skills. These further hints that physical and manual proficiencies and competence will be less preferable.

Wrap Up

While we’re still light years away from fully Robotics Technology workplace, the robotic capabilities that many companies are currently utilizing have proven to be one of the greatest innovations of our time.