The recent advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence have the potential to automate a wide range of human activities and to dramatically reshape the way people live and work in the coming decades. Initially, robots were only limited to the manufacturing industry, but today they are increasingly becoming part of people’s everyday tasks. It is evident that nowadays, more people are relying on intelligent technological types of equipment compared to the past due to advancement in technology. According to Smith and Anderson (2017), the robotics industry around the globe is constantly innovating, integrating artificial intelligence with vision to suit the needs of aging population. It other words, the industry is constantly looking for new ways of making people’s work a bit easier, faster and efficient. In essence, robots are a gift from science to mankind because of their high productivity rate coupled with an increased speed of production, quality and greater workplace safety.
First, the use of robots increases productivity when they are applied to perform tasks that require more efficiency. In the recent past, many industries have shifted their focus to implementing robots that improve productivity and fulfill the demands in the market. Most of them argue that robots work by eliminating the element of human error,thus allowing them to perform tasks at the same level of consistency. In fact, many organizations are already using them to help maximize inventory and, at the same time, improve quality. According to Scheiber (2019), Amazon has implemented palletisers, which are robotics arms with grippers, in their 26 fulfillment centers worldwide to lift the heavy totes and packages from conveyor belt. These palletisers provide robotic muscle for daily operations: they substitute man-hands for their productivity in the effort to cut down on human wear-and-tear. Overall, robots increases productivity by performing tasks at a faster rate but with the same consistent level of quality and quantity than humans.
Secondly, robots are increasingly being adopted in task-performance because of their high speed: they do not easily get distracted. Companies around the globe are focusing more on meeting customers’ demands which explains why high-speed robots are being sort after due to their ability to work 24/7 without any breaks or vacations (RobotWorx, 2021). In fact, it is common to find robots that move at a high speed than humans making them more preferable in ensuring fast production lines,especially in manufacturing companies. A good example of how robots work by improving speed is in the case of Factory Automation System Inc., located in Atlanta which is part of the Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services Industry (Mena Report, 2021). With automation, the company has managed to supply parts to agricultural manufactures with the growth of 150 percent than before while meeting their targets within three hours—five hours less than manual operations (RobotWorx, 2021). It therefore follows that high speed-robots ensures products are produced within the specified time.
Thirdly, the use of robots always brings quality to production which, for many years, has been an issue of concern for many manufacturers. It is important to note that poor quality products tend to have a negative impact on organization’s reputation and bottom line. Therefore, robots help resolve this because they are programmed to manufacture a particular product more precisely without any error, whereas humans tend to make mistakes. A good example here is the Motoman Inc. which uses reciprocating painting machine to paint car and truck on the same line (Yaskawa, 2021).With human tendency, the company used to get different and mixed results as far as production is concerned, but since the adoption of robots, product quality and perfection have improved greatly. Overall, the use of robots in the future as mandatory in everyday tasks stem from the fact that they do not get fatigue or lose focus, thus preventing unnecessary errors that leads to low quality.
Finally, the use robots is critical, especially since they provide greater workplace safety. In the manufacturing sector, robots are increasingly being used to reduce the risk of falls. A good example is where robots are used in the warehouse to help minimize injuries—the robotic machinery is able to reach items that are too high. Similarly, exoskeleton robots are already being used in the manufacturing industry to perform repetitive work associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Hyundai Motor Group is one such company that has adopted the use of exoskeleton robots (Menyhárt, 2019). With its Vest Exoskeleton (VEX), the company has managed to reduce fatigue of workers—the wearable vest imitates the movement of human joints.
However, those against the use of robots in everyday tasks claim that many industries, in the effort to maximize profits, are replacing human labour with automated machines. They also argue that the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and robots is volatile: many jobs will be lost throwing millions of people into poverty. Many of them express concern that having AI in workplaces will lead to high levels of income inequality caused bymillions people who are not employable. This, in the end, will lead to breakdown in the social order. Their fears have been validated by detailed analyseswhich shows how increasing automation in workplace impact jobs. A good example is the analysis carried out by Bruegel whose findings showed that “about 54 percent of EU jobs are at risk of computerization” (Tavis, 2015, p. 78). Bruegel’s analysis of European data led him to conclude that job losses will be significant and that people should prepare for large scale disruptions.
The opponents also argue that robots are taking over meaningful work which they consider to be important and valuable. They maintain that doing meaningful work is what leads to high job satisfaction and employee well-being. Their views were echoed by Smids et al.’s (2020) study where the authors followed the work schedules of metro drivers in Paris. The company outsourced robots which led to the introduction of self-driving metros. In return, the company’s drivers were offered alternative positions as managers. While these new positions gave the employees formal responsibilities, a follow-up survey showed that the drivers felt deprived of meaningful work. The workers claimed that, instead of being able to respond immediately to emergency situations, they were only being indirectly informed of the incidences. Smids et al. (2020) results also showed that the workers, by not being directly responsible for the lives of the people, “felt a loss of responsibility in adjusted jobs” (p. 12). In other words, the introduction of robots in everyday tasks tends to disrupt people’s normal work routines.
While it is true the introduction of robots in workplaces might lead to loss of jobs and meaningful work, the future is still promising. First, robots do not have the ability to perform complex tasks such as negotiation and persuading. According to Huang et al. (2021), robots are not as efficient in creating new ideas as they are at solving them despite having higher intelligence levels. In essence, work which require creativity, emotional intelligence and social skills will be on high demand—they are less likely to be performed by robots. With regard to meaningful work, employees being given alternative positions should receive adequate training. Training and development ensures employees such the metro drivers identify the knowledge and skills they require. With evidence-based programs, employers can educate their workers about new skills and the benefits associated with their positions. Most importantly, employees should be encouraged to exercise their capacities for understanding and decision making to higher extents as this would them finds meaning in their work.
In conclusion the use of robots in the future as mandatory in everyday tasks stems from the many benefits associated with it. As evidenced above, robots have been found to increase productivity, speed, quality, and workplace safety. For instance, robots provide greater workplace safety by reducing the risk of fall. Hyundai is currently using Vest Exoskeleton (VEX) with the aim of reducing fatigue of workers: the wearable vest imitates the movement of human joints. However, it is important to note that the use of robots also has its own limitations such as cutting off the manpower and meaningful work. While this is case, employers are encouraged to provide training and development programs aimed at ensuring employees appreciate their new positions.
References
Huang, M. H., & Rust, R. T. (2021). Engaged to a robot? The role of AI in service. Journal of Service Research, 24(1), 30-41.
Menyhárt, J. (2019). Artificial Intelligence possibilities in vehicle industry. International Journal of Engineering and Management Sciences, 4(4), 148-154.
RobotWorx. (2021). Robot savings time. Web.
Services for the Manufacture of Links of the Agricultural Excavator. (2021). Mena Report, NA. Web.
Scheiber, N. (2019). Inside an Amazon Warehouse, Robots’ Ways Rub Off on. Web.
Smids, J., Nyholm, S., & Berkers, H. (2020). Robots in the workplace: A threat to—or opportunity for—meaningful work?. Philosophy & Technology, 33(3), 503-522.
Smith, A., & Anderson, M. (2017). Automation in everyday life: Where will the jobs go? Industrial Safety & Hygiene News, 51(11), 10–14
Tavis, A. A. (2015). Rise of robots: Technology and the threat of a jobless future. People & Strategy, 38(4), 77-79.
Yaskawa.(2021). Robotic painting & dispensing. Web.