Robotics in the last few decades have gone from a mere futuristic concept to a reality that is shaping the future economy in different fields. The implication of robotic technology is not only transforming the ways, businesses are carried out, but it is also restructuring industries and sectors by making them more productive, precise, and safe. At present, robotic systems are becoming part of manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, logistics, and almost all branches of the industry: either as an opportunity, or as a threat, depending on the stance one takes, as industries underwent modification to include robotic technology.
Manufacturing: Industrial Robot: The Birthplace
Of all industries, manufacturing is perhaps the most muscular when it comes to using robotics, as the first robot – Unimate – was developed in the 1960s. Since then, use of robots in manufacturing especially in automobile industry is a common practice. Robots are most effective in manufacturing operations that involve cycle-type activities, where close tolerances are important, as in automotive assembly and adjoining sub-processes like welding, painting and quality control. This does not only enhances the speed of production but also minimizes the rate of human errors hence the quality of products that are produced are of good quality.
In addition, through robotics in manufacturing smarter factories have been created where machines are able to talk to each other to enhance production processes within factories in real-time. The advancement of collaborative robots, cobots, has also added the improvement to the physical alliance of the human-robot connection at the workplace. While regular robots are standalone, and often large, cobots are created to interact with humans, performing the tasks that are risky for people or that require many hours to be spent on monotonous work. This has made it easier for the producers to introduce flexibility in the production line and hence meet the market needs faster.
Healthcare: Speaking of Surgery – The Transformation of Patient Care
The healthcare sector has equally benefited from increase use of robotics in the aspects of surgery, rehabilitation and basic care. Technology of robotic systems like da Vinci Surgical System is being widely incorporated into various hospitals at present. These systems allow surgeons the ability to perform procedures that are minimally invasive and are far more accurate than through conventional means. Incorporating of robots in surgery decreases chances of complications, shortens the period of recovery and enhances patient's well-being.
Apart from surgery, robots are gradually being used in rehabilitation therapy. For example, robotic exoskeletons or external artificial limbs can help the mobility impaired individual regain his or her motor functions and muscles strength. Such devices offer the capacity to offer just the level of support or push needed during physical therapy. In addition, industrial robots are used in hospitals and cares facilities because these robots help monitor patients, deliver medicine or even interact. Robotic technologies are increasingly unfolding affinities in adding value to healthcare service deliveries owing to issues like staff deficit and patients' variability.
Agriculture: 'Improving Operational Effectiveness and Resilience'
Robotic technology is having an impact perhaps, nowhere as evident as in this sector of the economy – agriculture. The population of the world is increasing and therefore the need for food production as never been so high as it is today. Robotics provides an in-depth solution by enhancing the viability of agriculture the most important sector within the world. Robots in use in Agriculture There are various applications of robotics in agriculture including… §Fully automated tractors §Drones §Harvesting robots.
Self-driving tractors that have built-in GPS and various sensors, capable to sow seeds, apply fertilizers and even harvest crops and this all without much need for any human intervention, has the potential to drastically cut operating expenses and can boost the UP's yield. While on the other, drones are used in crop monitoring, water and soil conditions, and these provide data for farmers to make the right correct decisions for better yields and less waste. They can also be used to pick fruits and vegetables with a high degree of accuracy that reduce bruising of the fruits that leads to shorter shelf life.
Robotics in agriculture is also indicating the attempt towards sustainability. This can be achieved by employing robots to spray pesticides and fertilizers with more efficiency hence lessening the effects of farming on the encircling environment. Also, more efficient control over resources results in reduced water consumption and lower CO2 emission level. Of these, the agriculture industry is the most important because as time goes by, food production through the use of machines will be very essential due to the increasing human population without adversely affecting the environment.
Logistics and Supply Chain: Efficiency is the key here to reducing onoses, costs and improving flows.
The logistics and supply chain industry is one of the most progressive industries to constantly integrate employ robotics to tackle the new economy's requirements. Driven by such factors as growth in e-commerce and the rising customer demand for faster delivery, there is growing use of robotics in distribution. Today many companies in the warehouse and distribution sectors use automated guided vehicle (AGVs), robots such as robotic arms, and drones.
They are implemented to transport products within the warehouse, thereby sparing human labor to do tasks that may involve the exertion of their energy. These vehicles can be fitted with some form of sensor and cameras to enable them run and avoid obstacles within any area. Some uses of the robotic arms include sorting, picking, and packing of the items, making the process of order fulfilment much faster. Last mile delivery has been an area of trial for use of drones which would enable delivery of parcels direct to the customer in a short time than the conventional methods.
Robotics in logistics do not only make work efficient but also accurate as would be seen from this implementation. Compared to human beings, robots do not get tired; therefore they can work for extended hours to meet the clients' orders efficiently and accurately. This results to, improved customer satisfaction and the ability of organizations that incorporate robotic technology to gain a competitive advantage over other firms. Thus it will be found that with more complication and globalisation of supply chain, the usefulness of applying robotics in delivering the goods on time and in perfect conditions will remain significant.
