If you were to ask people to give one word to talk about the future of technology, what would it be? You’d probably get a wide range of answers, but many of them would undoubtedly be surrounding the topic of robotics. Robotics has been a form of study for decades, with the principles behind practical robotics first being formulated as far back as 1948.
Autonomous robots began to make an appearance during the second half of the 20th century and today they are quite unrecognisable. These days both commercial and industrial robots are growing in popularity and can complete various tasks cheaply, accurately, and reliably.
Especially in dangerous fields of work, or repetitious tasks, autonomised robots can speed up processes and keep their human counterparts safe. What are the advantages of automating tasks with the application of robotics? And are there any downsides? We’ll look into that in this article, as well as examining the industries that are utilising this amazing tech right now.
Advantages of Autonomous Robotic Systems
As technology progresses, autonomous mobile robots can transform the way a job or task is completed. Here are just some of the advantages:
- Robotic systems can boost productivity, quality, consistency, and efficiency. Unlike humans, robots don’t get bored or tired. They don’t need breaks, they don’t slow down, and they don’t need vacation time. Processes can be done at the same steady pace for as long as the robot will function, and the work will be programmed to be done to an extremely high level of accuracy and detail.
- Robotic systems can operate in environments and complete tasks that would be hazardous to the health of humans. If the environment is of a nuclear or chemical nature, this would prove to be very unsafe, even life threatening to a human. Robots can work there with no problems and with no protective equipment which cuts costs too.
- Robotic systems don’t require the same working environment. To provide a safe working environment to humans, there are various standards that need to be met. This could include things like lighting, air conditioning, or noise protection. Robots can work in environments without these precautions, simplifying a lot of workplace adaptation.
- Robotic systems are often more capable than humans and can produce products to a very high standard using their built in programming and machinery.
Disadvantages of Autonomous Robotic Systems
There are some issues and queries that arise from the application of robotic systems in various work environments and roles. Here are just a few disadvantages:
- There could be both economic and social implications from the fact that robots could take the jobs of humans. If robots take over many monotonous tasks, it could leave many hardworking individuals without a job, or even without a trade. This would have drastic effects financially and socially for various workers, leaving many requiring retraining in order to get a job.
- Robots follow instructions, they only do what they are programmed to do. They can’t improvise or respond to a situation. They don’t have instincts or reactions. This necessitates there be carefully safety procedures put in place to protect humans and other robots.
- Humans may be more capable that humans in some ways, or maybe have more accuracy than humans, but they are a lot less intelligent than humans in other ways. Robots don’t have as powerful a brain, they can’t show initiative or empathy, and they don’t have the ability to fully understand and interpret what they see.
- Robots may not need wages, but it doesn’t mean they’re not expensive to “hire”. The initial costs of purchasing and programming a robotic system is high, and the maintenance also needs to be taken into consideration. Any updates to their tasks, their hardware or their software takes time and money to implement.
Industries that Are Using Robotics Now
There are various industries that are now using mobile robotics and finding they are making a big difference to their productivity and efficiency. Here are just a few of the fields feeling the benefit of mobile robotic application:
Medicine
The delivery of drugs to patients in hospital, carrying out patient services, as well as other nursing functions, can easily be completed using robotics. Additionally, with the mounting of specialised equipment on top of robots, they can be of assistance during surgical procedures. In essence, robotics can be a big help to medical industry in providing a higher level of patient care while reducing the risk that comes with human error.
Exploration and Experimentation
There are many applications for mobile robotics in the field of science, particularly when it comes to exploring and experimenting. As opposed to humans, robots don’t need life support systems to explore space or the ocean. They can perform tasks in various environments without putting the lives of humans at risk.
Maintenance and Repair
Mobile robots have been used to inspect and repair aircraft. Just a couple can complete the work fast as they can move from one area of work to another in a short space of time. This makes the maintenance of aircraft a lot safer and more reliable. On the ground, or even under the ground, robots can come in very handy. If a pipeline in the ground requires servicing, mobile robots can travel using the pipeline while carrying out inspections and maintenance on anything that needs repairing.
Robots Might Just Take Over
With the immense progress that the field of robotics has experienced, it’s quite unimaginable to think what they could achieve in the future. Bill Gates has been quoted as saying that robotics “will make the world pretty fantastic compared with today.” Many like-minded individuals anxiously await the future to see how it all plays out! Who knows, maybe one day you’ll visit the hospital, take your child to school, or look into an office building, and not see a single human being! Robots could change the world as we know it.
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