Robotic Technology

The robotic industry has gradually developed in the recent years. Most industries have continued to implement the use of robots to handle different tasks within their organization. Quigley, Gerkey, and[G1] Smart (2015) define a robot as a reprogrammable and a multifunctional system that is designed to move various tools, parts or materials through a programmed motion to perform a distinct task. The development of the robotics industry has had a significant impact on the automation of activities posing a threat to the human element[G2] [G3] , thus the rise of unemployment cases.

Most of the firms are in the process of introducing robots to their workplaces. The robot industry is also progressing in educating most people on how the robots work, the functions that can be performed by robots and the ways of controlling robots. [G4] This research will study the implementation of robotic technology, the business problems that can be solved by the robots and the future implications on human beings and business on the use of robots in performing humanitarian duties.[G5]

A Description of Robotic Technology

The technology primarily deals with the developing, constructing and operating robots. It involves programming computer systems to help in controlling, giving sensory feedbacks and processing information in the robots to enable them to work as substitutes of human beings in different jobs[G6] (Coiffet, & Chirouze, 2018). Due to the existence of a diversity of industries, the robotic technologists are working on developing new robotic systems that will see the robots fit in all industries to perform tasks. The professional [G7] mechanical devices engineers have seen the implementation of robots in industries such as the manufacturing, design, aerospace, defense and medical amongst others (Coiffet, & Chirouze, 2018).

How a Robot Works.

Since the robots are driven by computer systems, they need the power to drive their automated structures. Some of the robots have inbuilt batteries that can be charged while others function while plugged into the wall power sockets within the office.  Different robots have various features regarding the environment they are set to work.[G8] For example, a pneumatic robot will require an air compressor to help in pressing air while a hydraulic robot needs a pump that will enable pressuring of the hydraulic fluid. Robots are made with valves, piston cylinders and motors that help them in completing tasks they are programmed to (Michalos et al., 2015).

The programmed computer system controls everything attached to the circuit. The robots have a common feature of moving but vary with others in the smell, hear, taste or observe.  Human-like robots may have legs attached to its joint. The leg joints can duly move within the office to perform duties such as massage in medical industries and controlling airplanes in the aero [G9] [G10] craft organizations. The robot is, therefore, able to perform tasks as programmed. In case a task is accomplished, the robot can be reprogrammed in its computer to perform another duty. [G11] [G12] Robotic engineers can assemble other elements to develop new robots and technicians should work on upgrading the operating system of the existing automated humans (Michalos et al., 2015)[G13] [G14] [G15]

Business Problems to be solved by Robotics Technology

The current management of different organizations is aiming at solving business problems. Some of the problems set to be solved by the robots are;

1. Inaccuracy in human beings

Employees of different organizations are prone to errors in different tasks they are engaged in. Most businesses are therefore implementing the use of robots to help assist in improving the accuracy of performing different jobs. If the robots are programmed well, no mistakes are expected to occur during task execution.[G16]

2. Low production rates

The human manual production tends to be low due to slow working rates of the employees. If the robot technology is implemented, the businesses are expected to have mass production from the implementation of robots and thus saving costs and time for the organizations which yield higher profits.[G17]

3. Strenuous, repetitive and mechanical work by humans

Some work can perfectly be done by a human though they require one to strain and continuously repeat the processes to accomplish the job[G18] . In such situations, the robot technology can be implemented to reduce the amount of workload in human beings and allow for efficient work by the robots.

4. The occurrence of psychological biases[G19] [G20] [G21] [G22]

Robots act differently with human since they don’t eat, get bored with work or experience changes in mood and mental abilities to perform a task. The robots can, therefore, work without any predisposition abilities that often occur in human beings.[G23] [G24]

The implementation of robotics technology will, therefore, see the business organizations having an improvement in the profit margins and the cost of production. More quality products will reach the markets due to mass production by the robots hence increase the availability of goods within the market for businesses and enhanced serv[G25] [G26] ice provision in other fields of operations such as the medical and aerospace industries (Quigley et al., 2015).

Application of the Robot Technology

In the current industrial processes, robots tend to accomplish a large number of jobs in various businesses around the world from agriculture and food production to material handling and warehouse management. The robot’s ability to perform repetitive, laborious

and mechanical tasks makes it more preferred than the human workforce. The efficiency and effectiveness of activities done by the robots play a major role in assisting businesses to achieve a greater productivity thus increase in profits. Since most business societies consider industrial automation, the other segment is concerned about the state of employment that will be created if most of the companies implement the use of robots in performing tasks (Mathews, 2018). [G27]

Some of the applications where the robotic technology is practiced entail;

1. Warehouse and Material handling

Due to an improvement in technology, the robotic engineers have developed robots that can be used in warehousing and material handling processes. The programmed robots are capable of handling the bulky and dangerous works within the production line. In the warehouse, they can be automated to arrange items in the required places faster and safely thus saving time and money.

2.  Agriculture and Food Processing Industries [G28] [G29]

The use of robots in agriculture has seen a drastic change in the agricultural sector. Different farmers who have deployed the use of robots in soil analysis, planting seeds, harvesting, crop spraying and weed control have consistently developed their production levels. In the food processing industry,[G30] the robots assist in food handling and packaging. The use of technology thus makes the food processing to be fast and more efficient.

3. The Automotive assembling Industry

Robots help in assembling different automotive parts together better than human. Due to their flexibility, they can be reprogrammed regarding the type of work they are expected to do (Quigley, Gerkey & Smart, 2015). The use of robots in automation industries has therefore seen an improvement in quality and production rates thus maintaining competition in the market.

4. Metal Fabrication

The metal fabricating robots have been used to help in processes such as hard-facing, polishing, grinding, making alloys and cladding in the industry. The use of robots in fabrication helps in reduced gas consumption in people and improving the safety of a workplace.

5. Aerospace

Most of the tasks carried by robots in the aerospace industry usually need precision and adherence. Such functions include sealing and dispensing, inspection, drilling, and fastening of airplanes. The use of robots helps in increasing profits and enhancing monthly productio[G31] [G32] n for the aerospace industries (Mathews, 2018).[G33] [G34]

Limitations of the Robot Technology

Although the importance of robots is evident in all industries, there are some disadvantages that still exist in using the technology. Implementing robots in an industry is not the complete solution of [G35] maximizing the product output and improving the efficiency of work within an organization. The limitations, though, affect human and the industries differently. Some of the demerits of robot technology are;[G36]

1. Unemployment

The robots will continue to replace more human workforce in performing tasks thus leave a lot of skilled people unemployed. Such a situation could lead to an increase in crime rates within the globe[G37] (Dauth et al., 2017).

2. Limited capabilities

Robots will only work according to the way they are programmed hence cannot reason while accomplishing a job. The robot will, therefore, produce an expected outcome as expected from the customized system[G38] [G39] . In case a mistake occurs in controlling the robot, they made up large destructions.

3. Lack of human touch

All the robots need the assistance of human to do their jobs correctly thus people cannot be eliminated in all cases

4. Technology failure

Over dependency on the use of robots could bring a problem in case of technological errors. Repairing the robots to function back is quite expensive and this can lead to reduced production and profits within a time (Dauth et al., 2017).

Conclusion

There has been a rapid adoption of the robot technology in all industrial aspects. If the implementation of the robots continues, a new business model will be created where all services will be automated. The use of technology is creating more profits, efficiency, and effectiveness of duties, production of quality goods and offering services, reducing lead times of different products and saving on cost and time taken for production. Using the robots has therefore improved economic development, general planning methods for business and the state of technology. Some factors need to be put into consideration as the robot technology is deployed in vast industries. The implementation cost of the robot technology in industries is high but promises a profit if it suits the organization. [G40] Cases of unemployment and mental retardation will also be felt on complete implementation of this technology. Most of the office workload will be performed by the robots thus people will not need to think about solving any matter. The human-robot work relationship should also be improved to aloe for proper programming of the software used by the automated humans. Consistent improvement of technology should also be followed to allow for better results for robot-based tasks. [G41] [G42] Therefore, taking the robot technology to the future world will be based on numerous factors.[G43]

References

Coiffet, P., & Chirouze, M. (2018, April 1). An Introduction to Robot Technology. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279361567_An_Introduction_to_Robot_Technology

Dauth, W., Findeisen, S., Südekum, J., & Woessner, N. (2017). German robots-the impact of industrial robots on workers.

Mathews, K. (2018, February 28). 5 Manufacturing Applications for Robotics in 2018. Retrieved from https://www.manufacturing.net/article/2018/02/5-manufacturing-applications-robotics-2018

Michalos, G., Makris, S., Tsarouchi, P., Guasch, T., Kontovrakis, D., & Chryssolouris, G. (2015). Design considerations for safe human-robot collaborative workplaces. Procedia CIrP, 37, 248-253.

Quigley, M., Gerkey, B., & Smart, W. D. (2015). Programming Robots with ROS: a practical introduction to the Robot Operating System. “ O’Reilly Media, Inc.”

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