By Nitin Rawat, Manufacturing Head, Addverb
Robotics are employed to boost production and efficiency in the manufacturing sector, and they are capable of working in any hazardous setting. Robotic arms are also employed to perform effective work in the industries. It has been years since the introduction of collaborative robots in the manufacturing industry, and they have now been applied in several applications at manufacturing facilities. Robots these days are exceptionally programmable and controllable, allowing them to perform complex tasks using AI and automation.
Robot applications in manufacturing include assembly, welding, shipping, handling raw materials, and product packing. Robots nowadays collaborate with human workers (co-bots) on practically every task. In manufacturing, robotics is used to automate repetitive activities and streamline assembly workflows. Many industries are now using robots for hazardous and time-consuming tasks that can endanger workers.
In the coming years, the collaboration between humans and robots will largely revolutionise the manufacturing industry, offering a plethora of opportunities for manufacturing players to improve efficiency, flexibility, and innovation.
Increased efficiency:
Robots excel at repetitive jobs and can carry them out with precision and regularity. When they work with humans, they may drastically accelerate processes, resulting in shorter production cycles and shorter lead times. Collaboration between humans and robots can greatly increase manufacturing efficiency. Robots thrive in repetitive and strenuous jobs, freeing people to concentrate on the more complicated and creative aspects of production. This collaboration improves workflow, cuts manufacturing time, and decreases errors. As a result, producers can increase output while maintaining quality.
Enhanced safety:
Safety has always been a concern for the manufacturing industries as the workers work under extreme conditions. One of the key benefits of HRM (Human Resource Management) in manufacturing is increased worker safety. Robots can tackle dangerous duties, work in severe environments, and perform precise manoeuvres without endangering human lives. This collaboration makes the workplace safer for workers by assigning high-risk tasks to robots, resulting in fewer workplace accidents and injuries. With the help of new technological advancements, safety is poised to improve in the coming years.
Flexibility and adaptability:
Traditional manufacturing systems frequently struggle to adjust to shifting demands and product variances. Human-robot collaboration gives flexibility, which is critical in today’s market. Robots are easily programmed and reprogrammed, allowing firms to quickly alter production lines to suit new goods or design changes. This adaptability is critical in an era where customer preferences shift quickly, and companies are trying to work in line with the shifting preferences of the customers.
Cost effectiveness:
While the initial investment in robotics technology may be significant, the long-term cost savings from human-robot collaboration are attractive. Automated procedures in the manufacturing industries lower labor costs, boost productivity, and reduce errors to a great extent, resulting in a more cost-effective manufacturing operation. The return on investment is significant over time as companies increase their efficiency and competitiveness. The cost-effectiveness can help the organisations to further grow their business and reach new heights.
Skill augmentation:
There is a notion that automation will replace human occupations, on the contrary, the collaboration is intended to supplement human abilities. Human workers may focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity by automating mundane and physically demanding jobs. This symbiotic partnership between humans and robots combines their abilities, resulting in a more skilled and empowered workforce. Instead of impacting jobs, the human-robot collaboration will solve declining interest in low-end production work, increase employee productivity, reduce repetitive use injuries, and enhance safety if done with an appropriate emphasis on the human impact of change.
Industry 4.0, often known as smart manufacturing, has transformed the industrial sector with cutting-edge technology such as collaborative robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). We can clearly say that Human-robot collaboration is paving the way for a new era for the manufacturing industry, outlined by increased efficiency, enhanced safety, flexibility, and innovation. As we enter a new era of advancements in technology, the manufacturing industry is poised to evolve and reach new heights. The companies embracing human-robot collaboration will undoubtedly lead the way in shaping the manufacturing industry forward.