THE IMPACTS OF ROBOTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

introduction

Robotics integrates many fields that deal with specific aspects of robotics. For example, within
mechanical engineering, the term robotics refers to the construction of the physical structures of a
robots, while in computer science, robotics focuses on the study of robotic software.

There are also many other aspects of robotic development and related fields that overleap in its,
including electrical, control, software, information, electronic, telecommunication, computer,
mechatronic, materials and biomedical engineering. The goal of robotics is to design machines that can
help and assist humans.

The field of robotics develops machines that can automate tasks and do various jobs that a human might
not be able to do. Robots can be used in many situations for many purposes, but today many are used in
dangerous environments (including inspection of radioactive materials, bomb detection and
deactivation), manufacturing processes, or where humans cannot survive (e.g., in space, underwater, in
high heat, and clean up and containment of hazardous materials and radiation). Robots can take any
form, but some are made to resemble humans in appearance. This is claimed to help in the acceptance
of robots in certain replicative behaviors that are usually performed by people. Such robots attempt to
replicate walking, lifting, speech, cognition, or any other tasks mainly performed by a human. Many of
today's robots are inspired by nature, contributing to the field of bio-inspired robotics.

Certain robots require user input to operate, while other robots function autonomously. The concept of
creating robots that can operate autonomously dates back to classical times, but research into the
functionality and potential uses of robots did not grow substantially until the 20th century. Throughout
history, it has been frequently assumed by various scholars, inventors, engineers, and technicians that
robots will one day be able to mimic human behavior and manage tasks in a human-like fashion. Today,
robotics is a rapidly growing field, as technological advances continue; researching, designing, and
building new robots serve various practical purposes, whether domestically, commercially, or militarily.
Many robots are built to do jobs that are hazardous to people, such as defusing bombs, finding survivors
in unstable ruins, and exploring mines and shipwrecks. Robotics is also used in STEM (science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics) as a teaching aid.

body
 Productivity knows that when it comes to manufacturing, change can seem overwhelming, time-
consuming and scary — to say the least. While not all change is created equal, many shops resist
changing to automation for a number of reasons. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way,
and automation integration shouldn’t keep you up at night nor should workers fear being replaced. In
fact, you’ll be surprised by the number of productive hours you’ll gain and new projects and business
you’ll be able to take on with automation. The best place to start is with Productivity’s applications and
automation experts who are committed to helping companies implement innovative automation
solutions that meet manufacturing challenges. They’ll guide you through the process of your robotics
integration projects from start to finish. Whether you’re adding one or many robots, automating your
turning production processes with bar feeders, automatic pallet loaders (APLs), or using vending systems
to automate control of tooling and accessories, this guide will demonstrate the multitude of benefits of
automation and help you make the best decision for your manufacturing facility.

What is the purpose of automation?

With the push for Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing and the importance of reaching higher productivity
and efficiency levels, automation in manufacturing is paramount. Over the decades, automation has
become a standardized production tool empowering manufacturers to gain better control of their
operations and production processes. With automation’s ability to streamline repetitive, hazardous, and
tedious tasks, an automated system can perform load/unload tasks, processing, inspection, assembling
or handling of parts unattended or lights out, allowing one employee to work on several machines or
other jobs at the same time.

Automation in manufacturing can help lower costs, improve worker safety, reduce factory lead times,
provide faster ROI, allow your operation to become more competitive, increase production output, and
so much more! Explore the benefits of automation in detail with this guide. You can also check out
Productivity’s Robotics & Automation Services.

Advantages of Automation in Manufacturing

What is the biggest impact of automation?

1. Lowered operating costs

Robots can perform the work of three to five people, depending on the task. And bar feeders and APLs
allow your machinists to attend to multiple machines at once. In addition to savings on the cost of labor,
energy savings can also be significant due to lower heating requirements in automated operations.
Automation integration streamlines processes and increases part accuracy, which means minimal
material waste for your operation.

Other Important Benefits of Automation

2. Improved worker safety

Automated cells, bar feeders and APLs remove workers from dangerous tasks. Your employees will
thank you for safeguarding them against the hazards of a factory environment.

3. Reduced factory lead times

Automation can keep your process in-house, improve process control and significantly reduce lead times
compared to outsourcing or going overseas.

4. Faster ROI

Automation solutions are based on your unique needs and goals and pay for themselves quickly due to
lower operating costs, reduced lead times, increased output and more.

5. Ability to be more competitive

Automated cells, bar feeders and APLs allow you to decrease cycle times and cost-per-piece while
improving quality. This allows you to better compete on a global scale. Additionally, the flexibility of
automation integration enables you to retool a cell to exceed the capabilities of your competition

6. Increased production output

A robot has the ability to work at a constant speed, unattended, 24/7, as do bar feeders and APLs.
Automation in manufacturing means you’ve got the potential to produce more. New products can be
quickly introduced into the production process and new product programming can be done offline with
no disruption to existing processes.

7. Consistent and improved part production and quality

Automated cells, bar feeders and APLs typically perform the manufacturing process with better
consistency than human machinists. This results in greater control and consistency of product quality.

8. Smaller environmental footprint

By streamlining equipment and processes, reducing scrap and using less space, automation uses less
energy. A key benefit of automation is that it reduces your environmental footprint which can save you
real money.

9. Better planning

Consistent production by automation integration allows a shop to reliably predict timing and costs. That
predictability permits a tighter margin on almost any project.

10. Reduced need for outsourcing

Automated cells have large amounts of potential capacity concentrated in one compact system. This
allows shops to produce parts in-house that have previously been outsourced.

11. Optimal utilization of floor space

Robots are designed on compact bases to fit in confined spaces. In addition to being mounted on the
floor, robots can be mounted on walls, ceilings, rail tracks and shelves. They can perform tasks in
confined spaces, saving you valuable floor space.

12. Easy integration

Productivity will work with you to provide a complete robotics solution system — hardware, software
and controls. Your cell will be proven out at Productivity and shipped out production-ready — allowing
you to start making parts as soon as it’s installed in your shop.

13. Maximized labor

Over the next three decades, statistics show that more than 76 million baby boomers will retire and only
46 million new workers will be available to replace them. During this time, your demand for labor will
continue, making automation a real and viable solution.

14. Increased productivity and efficiency

24/7 production, JIT manufacturing-friendly

More uptime with historic efficiency figures above 90 percent

Secondary operations capability — gauging, washing, deburring, etc.

Real-time factory communications with automated cells and machines

Quick changeover for multiple parts, tooling and programs

Flexible multi-operations capability — Op 10, Op 20, etc.

15. Increased system versatility

System flexibility, easily retooled and repositioned for new production programs

Robots, bar feeders and APLs are flexible and can easily be redeployed in new applications or parts

Robots, bar feeders and APLs have the ability to easily switch between a wide range of products without
having to completely rebuild production lines

Quick changeover with auto grippers and vision allows for different part sizes and shapes to be part of
the same run

Mixed-flow production approach allows for flexibility in adjusting to demand fluctuations

Robots are able to instantaneously “learn” new processes

Reduced changeover time

The benefits of robotic process automation

With RPA, your business can automate processes and tasks to save time and avoid common human
errors. RPA software works by configuring bots to perform tasks that would normally be done by
humans. Bots can be taught to click and type across applications, as well as be configured to perform
more complex tasks, without the need for human intervention. RPA benefits your business by
automating various activities, including transferring data, updating customer profiles, data entry,
managing stock, and other more complex tasks.

Here are seven key benefits of robotic process automation:

1.Save time

Repetitive administrative tasks are a common part of many business processes. RPA allows your
business to automate and perform repetitive tasks with quick, robotic speed. Also, your company and
employees benefit from RPA by being able to spend more time on sensitive and complex tasks.

2.Increase ROI

RPA tools are more efficient at managing repetitive tasks than humans, and they help your business
improve work productivity. That’s why one of the greatest benefits of RPA is its positive impact on ROI.
With robotic process automation, your business can improve several processes and collect significant
amounts of qualitative and quantitative data over time, which helps to inform and manage costs more
efficiently.

3.Eliminate human error

Realistically, no matter how skilled a person is in their role, human error and fatigue are always factors
to be considered. With RPA, automated bots never get tired, so tasks are performed accurately, as
they’re meant to, each time.

4.Elevate security

Cybersecurity is extremely important for your business, and RPA solutions help guard against security
threats. RPA elevates security by reducing the number of human interactions with sensitive data and
information, which helps prevent costly data leaks and breaches. RPA tools help to keep your business
secure, whether guarding against access by unauthorised users, or performing triggered account
logouts.

5.Increase compliance
Compliance is important for the reliability and sustainability of your business, and RPA solutions adhere
to set rules and guidelines with great accuracy and consistency. Typically, most organisations follow
various industry and government regulations, and these organisations reap the benefits of RPA with
automated, consistent compliance. Additionally, RPA can be audited from a single location, rather than
performing multiple application audits—which reduces compliance risks. Robotic process automation
can be applied to contract workflows and submissions, form updates, as well compliance-related
notifications, and alerts.

6.Scale business process automation

As your company applies an RPA tool to more business activities, the automation of processes and tasks
expands throughout your organisation. Robotic process automation also allows your business to scale to
meet seasonal increases in demand, and projected targets with greater confidence, whether processing
orders, invoices, managing stock, or other forms of production and service.

7.Employee satisfaction

When tedious processes are automated, employees are freed up to focus on more critical needs of your
business. As RPA reduces repetitive tasks typically performed by humans, employee satisfaction
increases. Employees can then apply their skills to tasks that require strategic thinking, like business
planning, public relations, and brainstorming.

How does workflow automation benefit your organisation?

Workflow automation refers to the use of automation technology to automate and connect business
processes to form a streamlined workflow. While workflow automation uses RPA to perform the
individual tasks within a workflow, it differs from RPA because it automates and connects entire
processes together from start to completion—forming a complete workflow.

Here are four ways workflow automation can benefit your organisation:

1.Simplify processes

Workflow automation connects and automates various work-related activities while completing tasks
faster and more accurately than humans, which makes processes easier for your organisation.

2.Increase productivity

At times, companies need the ability to perform processes faster to help meet above-average demand.
Workflow automation software increases productivity by increasing the speed and accuracy of your
business processes, and by scaling automated processes within your organisation. An increase in
productivity means a greater ability to serve and grow your organisation and customer base.

3.Increase reliability
Since automated processes adhere to the rules of a workflow accurately, they offer outcomes that are
far less likely to have errors. Therefore, your organisation gains confidence as automation tools deliver
trusted, reliable results every time.

4.Control costs

Every business wants to manage its costs and spending efficiently. However, business processes are
often influenced by many variables such as demand, and variable human output, which can cause costs
to fluctuate. Workflow automation allows your organisation to have more predictable outcomes and
costs by automating standardised processes. Using workflow automation, your organisation lowers the
need for additional resources and, as a result, is better equipped to manage costs and meet varying
demands more consistently.

RPA for industries and departments

RPA can be adapted to manage tasks for various industries and departments. Here’s how the following
six industries and departments can use robotic process automation:

1.Information technology

Information technology (IT) departments benefit from RPA tools by attaining increased compliance,
workload reduction, and decreased security risk. These departments are regularly flooded with
questions, tickets, and security related tasks. RPA reduces the workload experienced by IT departments
when implemented to handle tasks that don’t require specialist intervention, like triaging tickets, and
software update reminders. However, RPA can also manage specialist tasks like compliance checks
across applications, and infrastructure setup and management.

2.Human resources

Reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks associated with activities like employee acquisition, and
onboarding. Human resources can use RPA software to quickly process applications in search of highly
skilled, relevant hires. RPA can also be adapted to perform routine onboarding tasks, like providing new
employees with their credentials, such as emails and passwords, as well as necessary onboarding
documentation.

3.Finance

For finance teams, data accuracy and record keeping are essential. RPA tools increase the accuracy and
reliability of bookkeeping and data management. RPA software can also assist finance departments by
performing simple or complex financial calculations, automating communication for receivables,
automated consolidation, and reporting, and validating payments.

4.Sales

With an RPA solution, sales processes are made easier. Using automation, sales teams increase the
volume of potential business through automated outreach, profile updates, and acquisition of new
leads. An RPA tool also reduces the need for expertise in routine, cross-departmental tasks, allowing for
better collaboration between sales teams and other departments.

5.Marketing

Marketing teams use robotic process automation to their benefit in several ways. For example,
marketing departments implement RPA for ad buying, triggered guides, workflow management, and
analytics. With RPA software, marketing teams avoid creativity drain, and focus on content creation, and
delivery.

6.Operations

RPA can streamline and reduce the costs of different operational processes. For example, RPA can be
used to quickly assess enquiries, and fulfil requests as a part of procurement processes. And for supply
chains, RPA manages order placements, order communications and fulfilment, and payment processing.

conclusion

Robots are used in multiple areas, especially where they can alleviate strenuous tasks or complete
missions that are dangerous for a human to undertake. Recent advances in robotics and AI are
revolutionising business, society and our personal lives.

Apart from being precise and consistent, robots can work in any environment, adding to their flexibility.
Robots eliminate dangerous jobs for humans because they are capable of working in hazardous
environments. They can handle lifting heavy loads, toxic substances and repetitive tasks. This has helped
companies to prevent many accidents, also saving time and money. In the medical field robots are used
for intricate surgeries such as prostate cancer surgery. Robots are able to reach and fit where human
hands cannot, allowing greater accuracy. Robotic benefits in the medical field can be less invasive
procedures and reduce pain for the patient when recovering.

This Kick-Start activity aims to stimulate the development of robotic applications underpinned by space
technologies into a wide variety of sectors such as extreme environments, agriculture, infrastructure
monitoring, transport, social care and soft robotics. Also, due to the current pandemic outbreak, robotic
technology may provide additional creative solutions to tackle this unprecedented situation.

Robotics and AI augment and amplify human potential, increase productivity and are moving from
simple reasoning towards human-like cognitive abilities.
Space assets and satellite technology can offer added value to the robotics sector and increase its
capabilities in a number of ways.