Dismantling the fear-mongering around robotics overruling jobs

“Unexpected item in bagging area” – A pretty well-known phrase in today’s supermarkets, but prior to the last decade, this was a fairly new technology. As we moved into a more automated society, self-checkout was probably the first directly noticeable replacement of humans by robots. As the popularity grew, by 2013, there were 191,000 self-checkout machines in use around the world, and by 2025, it is predicted that 1.2 million units will be installed worldwide

Now, of course, the first instance of robots overruling human workers was seen long before the 21st century. As early as 1961, prototype industrial robots were deployed in General Motors factories, and automotive automation boomed in the 1970s. 

Today, robots have a presence in a variety of industries and there are common misconceptions that robots are taking human jobs. This guide aims to dismantle the fear-mongering around robotics overruling jobs – so let’s dive in. 

Job displacement due to automation is not a new concept

As mentioned earlier, automation has been around since the 20th century as early as 1961, when automotive company General Motors installed robotics in their factories. The automotive industry were pioneers in robotics, leading to new and useful purposes for robotics in the pharmaceutical, construction and consumer industries.  

Automation will create more jobs than it eradicates

On the surface of automation, the consumer has only seen the loss of jobs, however the World Economic Forum reported that more jobs will eventually be created once former jobs have been replaced. The report saw the rise of robots and automation would result in the loss of 85 million jobs by 2025. In conjunction with this, they estimate that 97 million new jobs will be produced, leaving a total increase of 12 million new job opportunities. 

Robots are not as accurate as humans

This one is a little contradictory, so bear with. Yes, robots are extremely accurate when programmed to be so, however, there are some instances where production lines or manufacturing plants require the human eye. Mass production is a prime example of where we require a lift from robotics, however, quality control is still very much a hands-on process. 

However, there are machines in factories now that can scan an item and disregard it if it is faulty. For example, a carton of milk going through production is scanned at the end of the line – this is achieved by taking thousands of photos. If it is defective (I.e. the seal is not on properly), it will be disregarded and pushed into another line for the bin. 

Robots are not about to take over the world

iRobot was a frightening watch, even Metropolis in 1927 had us twiddling our thumbs – yet, robots are no way near to taking over the world. Luckily, unlike toddlers, they have an off-switch. 

Advantages of robotics in the workplace 

More rewarding work available: Separating parts on a conveyor belt or gathering products in a warehouse/fulfillment center can be tiring, and mind numbing work. Luckily, by programming machines, it is easy to make this transition – leaving the more fulfilling work to the humans of the workplace.

Time saving: Whilst trained employees know their way around a machine, robotics take less time to train and can save the company money as well as additional training time. Further to this, there are fewer mistakes to be made by a programmed robot, in comparison to a human employee – saving on additional breakdown costs. 

If you want to learn more about robotics in the workplace and society, Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence is a book that discusses A.I and its impact on the future of life on Earth and beyond, as well as the theories behind robotics and whether they have an internal thought stream.

Contact Junair Spraybooths for more information

The tale of robotics technology is still developing before our eyes, given the volume of investment and experience in the sector. Junair’s products are a tribute to our skill and attention to product research, and you will not only enhance productivity and lower expenses, but the quality of your work will be unrivalled.

To learn more about how we can help your business, simply call us on 01706 363555 or email sales@junair.co.uk. Fill out Junair Spraybooths enquiry form, and we’ll aim to get back to you ASAP.

Written by

Why is powder coating used in marine applications?

In the realm of marine protection, few solutions hold as much promise as marine grade powder coating. Developed to withstand the unforgiving conditions of our surrounding seas, these coatings offer a pragmatic approach to safeguarding metal surfaces from corrosion.  In this article, we’ll take a closer look at marine grade powder coating, exploring its practical […]

Read More

Considerations when buying a powder coating oven

For businesses operating in sectors like automotive and manufacturing, the prospect of establishing an in-house powder coating facility presents a compelling opportunity.

Read More

The Key to Uninterrupted Performance: Preventative Maintenance and Housekeeping for Paint Finishing Equipment

Junair is a specialist provider of paint finishing equipment including spraybooths and powder coating equipment in the UK. With a range of dedicated products and services designed to improve your paint finishing processes, Junair is here to help.  Paint finishing equipment includes powder coating equipment, different paint finishing equipment tools, drying and curing ovens and […]

Read More

Exploring the versatility of Power and Free Conveyors

Here’s an exciting glimpse into our latest conveyor project currently in the commissioning phase: a cutting-edge powder coating line that seamlessly combines automated and manual processes for the powder coating of security doors, where components can be loaded and unloaded in a stationary position along the conveyor line. To enhance quality control, we’ve incorporated five […]

Read More

Welcome to our team – Dan Parr

Welcoming Our Newest Team Member. Junair is thrilled to introduce our latest addition to the company, Dan Parr! Dan joins us as operations manager, bringing a wealth of expertise and a fresh perspective to our dynamic team. We couldn’t be happier to have him on board as we continue to grow and innovate. What is […]

Read More

The advantages of going green with your spray booth

Energy bills continue to be volatile across the UK and with government subsidies beginning to end, many companies are looking for ways to cut down on energy. If you combine this with the fact that many businesses are becoming more environmentally conscious for ethical and financial reasons, with grants on offer to make businesses greener, […]

Read More

Use of conveyors in powder coating facilities

Powder coating is a popular finishing process used in many industries, such as automotive, aerospace, and furniture manufacturing. It involves the application of a fine powder material onto a surface. This powder material  is then heated and cured to form a durable and attractive coating.  Powder coating facilities often face challenges when it comes to […]

Read More

How automated spray systems can save your business money

Automation is becoming more prevalent as technology advances and is one of the areas that is now increasingly accessible to businesses.  Having automatic processes in place has several advantages for businesses, it increases efficiency, improves accuracy and frees up employee time. However, one of the most underrated advantages of automation is how much money it […]

Read More

What is fusion bonded epoxy powder coating?

Fusion bonded epoxy powder coating (FBE) is a type of coating that is applied to the surface of a material as a dry powder. The powder is made up of small particles of epoxy resin and a hardening agent. The coating is applied to the surface of the material using a process called electrostatic spray […]

Read More
Blog

Read our latest news and insights from around the spray booth industry.

Find out more
Case Studies

Read about some of our latest client projects.

Find out more
Downloads

Take a look at some of our downloadable resources.

Find out more

If you have a new project that you would like some help with, call us on +44 1706 363 555 to speak to a member of our team about your requirements. We will take you through our project process step-by-step, whether you are redeveloping an existing site or building a new facility, Junair can help.