Let’s face it, robots moving like humans through factory floors and performing tasks like soldering, painting and welding are no longer science fiction. Earlier this year, the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) reported that there were more than 2.7 million industrial robots operating globally in 2021 – and this was when the world was still deeply impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. Output of factory robots is expected to increase by more than a third between 2021 and 2024, and more than 12 million automation machines are predicted to be built by 2030. The deluge will transform not only the production landscape but also the industrial and electronics workers, or so-called ‘semi professionals’, of the future. This What and So What blog explores the phenomenon of robots and automation, the challenges as well as the hurdles that it could bring and how firms and workers can navigate their way into the future of the world of work.
The Rise of the Machines: Benefits of Robotics and Automation
The increasing presence of robots in industrial settings brings numerous benefits: Increased productivity: Robots work all day and night without tiring or making mistakes, so more output can be turned out, and that output tends to be higher quality than what humans produce. Improved Worker Safety: In some dangerous environments, like those where heavy machinery is being used or where workers have to deal with toxic materials or dust, the risk of workplace injury is eliminated with robots. To better understand the different functions of robots in industrial applications, check out our blog post “The different types of robots used in industrial applications”. Better quality products: products assembled with robots are usually of better quality compared to those done by humans. They prove to be more accurate and free from errors. Lower Labour Costs: There are capital costs in acquiring and maintaining robots, but all else equal they may be cheaper to run in the long-term than human labor for particular tasks.
The Automation Paradox: Potential Challenges and Considerations
Despite the evident benefits, automation also presents challenges that need to be addressed: Job Displacement: Perhaps the most substantial fear facing automation is that of jobs being lost, especially for humans in repetitive or low-skilled occupations. The Skills Gap: as technology automates more routine activities, employers will need human workers who are trained for creative and applied problem-solving skills such as robotics maintenance, programming and data analysis. This will require new workforce-skilling and reskilling programmes. Ethics: The rise of robots and the consequent decrease in human labour makes us consider whether this will threaten the security of our jobs, how the rights of workers will be protected, mand whether the growth of social inequality will continue to occur.
Preparing for the Future of Work: Strategies for Adaptation
Companies and workers can make several pragmatic preparations for working in a new (and constantly changing) industrial and electronics landscape:
Strategies for Companies:
Reskilling and Upskilling Programs: Companies can invest in training programs that teach their workforce the necessary skills for operating in an automation-based work environment. This could mean investing in robotics maintenance training, data analytics, digital literacy etc. Collaborative Approach To Human-Robot Interaction: A shift away from thinking of robots as substitutes, and to the notion of human-robot collaboration. This would enable humans to deploy their problem-solving and creative abilities alongside robots to create the best possible output. Transparency: Companies should communicate the effects of automation on the workforce and collaborate with employees to assuage fears.
Strategies for Workers:
Lifelong learning: A worker must habitually embrace re-skilling and keep an eye out for new employable skills – perhaps by taking online classes or courses for new credentials or certifications, attending a workshop, and so on. Adaptability and flexibility will remain important attributes for the future of work, where today’s workers will continually need to learn new skills and take on new responsibilities to help manage the whirlwind of technological change that drives market disruption and new job requirements. Networking and Skills Showcasing: Cultivating a network of relationships is a way to enhance your prospects and showcasing your relevant skills will become important to get ahead during the automation era.
A Future of Collaboration: The Evolving Landscape
The kind of work that shapes our future in the industrial and electronics sector will probably be a combination of humans and machines working together: Human-robot teams: imagine teams of robots carrying out the tasks best suited to their capabilities, while human workers monitor operation, make decisions and provide creative problem-solving capability. This could result in gains in productivity, innovation and working conditions. New jobs will emerge: Automation will also spawn new jobs. Robotics engineering, AI programming, data science, cybersecurity, and other fields related to the synergy between humans and robots require specific skill sets. Prioritize soft skills: While technical skills will still be necessary, more of your future employee’s time will be spent doing things for which humans are uniquely equipped, attributes such as communicating, thinking critically or problem-solving.
Conclusion: Embracing Change, Shaping the Future
An inexorable tide of robots and automation is sweeping the workplace of industrial goods and electronics – but far from shaking workers’ confidence that they have good jobs for the future, it should become a cause for celebration. One caveat: it needs to be done right. We must resist slipping into automating for automation’s sake. Instead, firms should focus on the sort of automation that keeps humans safe, comfortable and satisfied in their jobs. That sounds pretty good to me.
