The robots are coming.
A recent piece on Kiplinger.com details that robots are indeed coming over the next ten years, and they want your job.
The number and variety of robots in the workplace will soar, taking over many jobs that are too dirty, too dull or too dangerous for people to do. Already, millions of robots are deployed around the world.
It was a bit of a surprise to learn that only 10% of possible industrial users have actually started using robots into their processes.
Are we ready for the influx of robots?
John Miley, Technology & Telecom Reporter at Kiplinger’s had this to say.
“The next wave of robots will have features that really set them apart from the current crop. Mobility, autonomy and precision are qualities that will make them more advanced. And as labor becomes more expense, and as the cost of this form of automation decreases, it’s becoming attractive for companies to turn to robots to save money."
Kiplinger’s says these six fields where robots are taking charge:
Medical
Here we are talking about hospitals, medical centers and nursing homes. Microbots will be expected to clear clogged arteries, measure blood viscosity and deliver drugs to precise locations in the body. Robots will serve as aides to nurses.
Agriculture
Yes, robots are coming to the farm as engineers at Blue River Technology are developing a robot that can thin out lettuce seedlings. The robot rolls through rows of plants, determining which are healthy and well-spaced; ones that are too weak or too close are killed with an overdose of fertilizer.
Food Services
Researchers at Georgia Tech are developing a robotic process that can debone a chicken using 3-D vision and a feedback system to sense the junction of the bird's ligament and bone.
Manufacturing
This is nothing new, but expect more robots to be utilized and they will be used more efficiently.
Education
For example, South Korea’s Center for Intelligent Robotics is creating a human-like robot to teach students English pronunciation from a native English speaker. Amazing!
Military
Many robots are currently being used, but robots like the “mule” by Boston Dynamics and DARPA can deliver supplies to dangerous areas and allow soldiers to recharge batteries from its onboard power source. Robots are sometimes a soldier's best friend.
In the Home
An innovative company, Windoro is developing a robot that uses a powerful magnet to stick to vertical glass and clean windows; Toyota and Honda are creating personal assistant robots. I'm all for robots that will do windows.
How will robots impact the job market?
In the short term, they could displace thousands of workers, especially workers in low-wage jobs. Over time, industries and jobs will be created to maintain and add features to these robots. Similar to what happened in the PC universe.
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