How to Adapt as Robots and Automation Become More Prominent in Many Industries

• The manufacturing industry has for many years fostering human-robot collaboration (HRC) which has become a prominent feature of smart manufacturing environments as it helps increase productivity, quality and flexibility.
• The medical industry uses robots to dispense medicine, assist patient rehabilitation, provide emotional support and aid the elderly. Robots can perform their functions and send the data back to the doctors or physiotherapists so they can further fine-tune the treatment or customize rehabilitation program accordingly.
•  The logistics industry has been integrating robots into automated vehicles and drones to increase convenience and speed.

Even as robots and automation play an increasingly important role in the workplace, they should not be considered threat to humans if we know how to work with them and change our mindset regarding this intelligence technology with so much potential to make our jobs easier.

To keep up with the changing world where robots and automation play an increasingly important role in the workplace, we need to accept the role of robots and automation by recognizing benefits such as increased efficiency, accuracy and productivity. Instead of fearing they will replace human workers, we should view robots as tools that enhance our skills and abilities and embrace them by learning how to work with robots efficiently and how to best maximize their capabilities while acknowledging their limitations.

While it is important for workers and specialists in every industry to update their skills related to their jobs, social skills such as creativity, sympathy, critical thinking and complex decisions are also crucial because robots lack these innate qualities. We also need to understand safety protocols as well as technical skills required to command and interact with robots and automated systems efficiently.

Additionally, humans need to develop higher level of problem-solving skills to be able to deal with any challenges or problems that arise while working with robots. This may involve resolving technical issues, work flow optimization, or inventing creative solutions to improve efficiency and productivity at work.

Finally, even though the role of robots and automation will become increasingly prominent, the goal of this technology is to help humans increase productivity. Robots are designed to perform repetitive tasks without fatigue, so various industries assign robots to completely tedious tasks to allow humans to tackle more challenging tasks. These tasks include learning new skills to develop career-related potential and raise the ability to the next level. According to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, “it is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.”

Please follow our future blogs for fascinating stories about innovation and technology in robotics and industrial automation. You can also visit Assembly & Automation Technology 2024, the 23^rd edition of ASEAN's Most Comprehensive Exhibition on Industrial Automation Systems & Solutions and Assembly Technology that will feature every technology and solution for industries such as automotive, packaging, plastics, food and beverages, as well as hospitality during 19-22 June at BITEC, Bangkok. 

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10739095/
• https://ifr.org/post/the-increasingly-important-role-of-robots-in-rehabilitation#:~:text=A%20rehabilitation%20robot%20is%20a,central%20nervous%20system%20(CNS).
  
• https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/30119