4 MYTHS ABOUT ROBOTICS DEBUNKED

1. ROBOTS ARE ONLY FOR HIGH-VOLUME ASSEMBLY LINES

Those that are unfamiliar with robotics often just think of them being a solution for high-volume production or assembly lines, similar to what you would see in the automotive industry. Although robots are very successful in this situation, there are a ton of applications and environments where they provide an optimal solution, especially with the variety of robots available today. Regardless of the scale of output, they can be implemented for assembly, material handling, machine tending, packaging, painting, palletizing, welding (arc and spot), and much more.

2. ROBOTS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE

Some manufacturing companies understand that robots can provide them a competitive advantage by helping produce products faster, at a higher quality, and more economically. But many are concerned about the upfront expense of robotics. The cost of industrial robots is actually going down every year and the average cost has gone down by half in the past 30 years. While the initial investment into robots can sometimes seem high, it’s important to instead think about return on investment (ROI) and the cost-savings they provide over time. Robots pay for themselves by drastically increasing production efficiency, reducing labor costs, improving quality and keeping it consistent, and more.

3. ROBOTS ARE DANGEROUS

Some traditional robots, such as Parallel or SCARA robots, are not intended to work directly with humans and could cause safety concerns if improperly used. However, these robots are engineered to improve the safety of various applications by performing tasks that would be dangerous for humans. Additionally, collaborative robots are intended to work directly with humans. They feature a lightweight design, minimal pinch points, and safety devices that allow the robot to run at high-speed when no humans are near and slow down when a presence is detected.

4. ROBOTS ELIMINATE JOBS

In recent years, there has been a lot of media buzz about how robots are eliminating manufacturing jobs. While it is true that some jobs are displaced, these jobs are usually dangerous, strenuous, and/or repetitive, and robots are freeing humans from these jobs so they can take on more fulfilling positions that are better for their physical and mental health. Additionally, there is actually a huge labor shortage and skills gap in the manufacturing industry today. A study conducted by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute revealed there are nearly 500,000 unfilled manufacturing jobs in the U.S. and that number is projected to increase to 2.4 million by 2028. That would put more than $2.5 trillion in manufacturing GDP at risk over the next decade. Robotics help companies fill the void and stay on track with production.

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