Robots: East versus West

Many pundits argue that robots will soon be able to do more than just the basic functions we are all used to and of course, for the term robot, also think technology-based devices and systems that are serving us today. A good example is the gradual automation of the way we buy things on the high street with self-service checkouts etc, that will soon replace any human involvement. Having said that, will the high street survive the onslaught of online stores and our increasing preference for armchair shopping?

The retail industry is just one area that will feel the impact of technology. Most expect that even more jobs will be lost throughout the manufacturing sector as Industry 4.0 takes hold and the so-called smart factory becomes even smarter. It’s generally referred to as the 4th Industrial Revolution.

However, one industry executive believes that the rise of the robot and the smart factory could actually add jobs. He should know since he runs a chunk of the manufacturing powerhouse that is Siemens which has production facilities throughout the World and is a prime candidate for robotisation. In fact, Juergen Maier is the company’s UK Chief Executive and is often described as the UK Government’s ‘unofficial’ smart factory expert or Tsar. A few weeks ago, he helped launch Made Smarter with the aim to bring British industry (what’s left of it) into the present day.

Made Smarter suggests that moving towards robotics and peopleless manufacturing, the need for more IT staff, analytical experts and software engineers will grow considerably. Although the industry sector is expected to lose nearly 300,000 manufacturing jobs, Maier expects that a net gain of more than 170,000 is possible.

This he says will be possible if the UK’s renowned research, design and development prowess targets new manufacturing sectors – particularly companies that can support and supply the big, global companies that will really gain from non-human involvement.

What will be interesting is determining whether a robot in Asia will be cheaper than a robot in Eastern Europe or a robot in South America. Maybe they will with government subsidies. However, it could easily be possible for manufacturers who have moved production overseas for reasons of economy to move it back home if the cost of robotic labour is the same globally.

In the UK, for example, all that would need is a massive programme of capital investment to ensure that the robots and the manufacturing plant are the best and latest available. Time will tell.