Battery-free robots use origami to change shape in mid-air
SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.SCIENCEDAILY.COM/
SEP 13, 2023
Will a robot take my job? 3 steps to overcoming human concerns about automation, AI and robotics
SOURCE: TECHREPUBLIC.COM
SEP 01, 2021
Image: iStock/Besjunior
Every implementation of artificial intelligence, automation and robotics should include a plan for the human acceptance of technology adoption.
Two-thirds of Americans (65%) expect that robots and computers will "definitely" or "probably" perform jobs that are currently done by humans, according to a study by Monster.com. There is understandable trepidation. But a more significant issue arising in organizations as they adopt robotics, artificial intelligence and automation is change. Do companies have the will to change when change can affect existing business flows that have worked for years or even decades?
"Many companies do subscribe to the saying, 'If it's not broken, don't fix it,'" said Jim Rock, CEO at Seegrid, a developer of mobile robots and software for material handling in manufacturing and distribution. "The fear of change and newer technology is often a main driver in hesitancy to adopt tools that could make processes faster, safer and more efficient."
Nevertheless, to keep pace with customer demands and offset a decreasing labor pool, companies are realizing that continuing to operate as they have isn't sustainable. The disruptions of the past 18 months, brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, have exposed those vulnerabilities and brought the need for automation to the forefront.
Companies are also less reluctant about adopting automation, AI and robotics than they used to be. They know now that they can go to RaaS (robots-as-a-service) vendors that have the on-staff expertise and that will only charge them for service on a subscription basis. Because of this, companies can operationalize automation and robotics in their budgets instead of having to incur enormous upfront capital expenses that they have to amortize over years.
Being able to operationalize automation and robotics costs takes much of the risk out of budgeting. The other budget selling point is the compelling ROI that CFOs like to see.
"A general baseline for justifying something like an autonomous mobile robot investment is to look at the costs that go into the manual workflows that you will automate," Rock said. "This can include adding the number of manually driven machines (forklifts, pallet trucks and tow tractors), and multiplying by the number of shifts and the pay rate of the workers needed to operate them. With this, a comparable AMR fleet that would do the same work would typically deliver a payback in less than two years. In addition to that, the more reliable throughput from automation offers increased productivity and reduced production downtime. Workers who were part of the manual operation can be reallocated to new, value-added roles."
But what about these workers and their own anxieties about automation, robotics and job loss? In this area, IT and the end business can take proactive steps to ease anxiety and obtain employee buy-in.
Continually communicating with employees as you work hand-in-hand with them builds trust and facilitates change. These are not skills that IT and the end business usually excel at, but they are the ground game in moving companies and employees forward into an acceptance and ultimately an embrace of automation, AI and robotics.
LATEST NEWS
Advertising
Microsoft heralds a new age of AI ‘copilots’ across hardware, software — and advertising
SEP 22, 2023
Blockchain
How Web3 Gaming Is Transforming The Gaming Landscape Through P2E And In-Game Economies
SEP 22, 2023
Metaverse
L’Oréal Professionnel forays into the Metaverse, unlocking creative virtual hair styles
SEP 22, 2023
WHAT'S TRENDING
Artificial Intelligence
Some Writers are Using Artificial Intelligence to Generate Their Articles
OCT 16, 2022
SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.SCIENCEDAILY.COM/
SEP 13, 2023
SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.SMART-ENERGY.COM/
AUG 28, 2023
SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.SCIENCEDAILY.COM/
AUG 22, 2023
SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.SCIENCEDAILY.COM/
AUG 10, 2023
SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.SCIENCEDAILY.COM/
JUL 18, 2023
SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.SCIENCEDAILY.COM/
JUL 14, 2023