Robotics – Advantages/Disadvantages

Robotics – Advantages/Disadvantages

Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots. {1} Robotics are often used for tasks that require a high degree of precision, or are tedious or hazardous for human beings. {2} Contemporary robotics combines both high precision machine capabilities and sophisticated controlling software. There are both advantages and disadvantages of robotics, which is the focus of my report.

There are many advantages of Robotics, mostly due to automation. Automation has dramatically altered factories across the globe. {3} Modern industrial robots offer multiple advantages. As technology has evolved, robotics have become more “user friendly”, affordable, and “intelligent”, than ever before. Robotics are able to perform applications with greater accuracy, precision and consistency, than there human counterparts. The product quality and quantity improves because of these increases.  Another benefit to robotics is that workers no longer have to endure certain hazardous tasks. Robots handle toxic substances, repetitive and detail-driven jobs, and lift, carry and select products without tiring or stopping. Robots have prevented many accidents and waste, which of course saves a company both time and money. In terms of money, robotics do not have human emotions or problems. The tasks will not be delayed in getting performed due to having commuter traffic, sick children, or a party to attend (just random examples of reasons people miss or are late for work). Also, robotics do not get weak or tired, thus there is an increase in productivity and manufacturing departments are able to cut costs. Of course proper care and maintenance needs to be taken care of the robotics, but there is not a fatigue factor, as with human workers.

There are also some disadvantages to Robotics. The initial investment can be quite costly. The cost should be calculated in light of a business' financial budget. {4} Regular maintenance needs can have a financial toll as well. There is also a newer area of expertise that needs to be learned, in how to use, monitor, and protect the equipment. Many workers that used to do what the Robotics now perform, have switched jobs to learning how to operate and observe them. Depending on the particular Robotics used, this can be a costly training, both in time and financing. Also, all though many dangerous jobs are now performed by Robotics, there have been concerns that the operators could still be in some type of hazard, whether it be from the products themselves, or the equipment used. By Robotics not having human emotion, they are automatic, and would not necessarily respond to an appropriate situation if there was danger or an emergency. Finally, although Robotics have made many jobs faster, and more accurate and productive, there surely have been many jobs that were lost, due to them being automated.

In conclusion, one can see that Robotics have many advantages, but there definitely are some obvious disadvantages as well. As time and technology continue to fly by, we need to use the benefits as much as possible, without succumbing to the consequences of them. There needs to be a fine tuned balance.

{1} http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robotics

{2} Fundamentals of Information Systems, by Ralph Stair Edition 6E, page 323.

{3} http://www.used-robots.com/robot-education.php?page=benefits+of+industrial+robots

{4} http://www.robots.com/blog.php?tag=112