Robotics has a long history in the history of mankind. For a long time people have dreamed of autonomous helpers who make their lives easier. At the same time, we fear the machines. Whether you think of friendly robots, like in Wall-E or the Jetsons, or machines like in Ex Machina or Terminator, they all show our fascination with machines. Even today, the world is hardly imaginable without robots. Robots can do many things that humans cannot do or that are too dangerous for them. But what is robotics and where is it used?
Robotics as we currently know it is a special branch of technology that deals with the planning, construction and operation of robots. These robots are “tools” that are supposed to move materials or carry out special actions that support or relieve people in their daily work.
Robotics in industry
In times of automation and industry 4.0, robotics is an integral part of the production halls of the future. Industrial robots can already be found in many factories today, but this is just the beginning. For the near future it can be predicted that any repetitive task can potentially be done by robots. However, this is no reason to be afraid of losing your job. Rather, the machines are used where the tasks to be performed are difficult or dangerous for a person.
The Robot Revolution: The New Age of Manufacturing (Source: Wall Street Journal)
Possible areas of application are machining operations such as:
- Welding
- Spray paint
- Casting
- Heat treatment
- Finishing operation
- Assembly
- Inspection
Thanks to their fast and precise mechanics, robots are able to handle parts that are too small for human eyes or fingers. This guarantees an efficient, error-free process. Due to the rapid further development of image processing technology, the work of the robot becomes increasingly precise and supported by artificial intelligence ever faster.
Robotics in everyday life
Robots in the household or as daily companions. Thanks to various television series and films, such as Futurama or Per Anhalter durch die Galaxis, robots seem almost normal. According to a recent survey, even 77 percent think that it will be standard to have a robot in our house within 20 years.
The Moley Robotic Kitchen – Mission & Goals (Source: Moley Robotics)
But even today, robotics already offers support and service for people in a wide variety of everyday tasks. For example, robots help in the household, support the disabled, the elderly, patients and children as social robots and free them from tedious housework.
How robotics will develop is of course still uncertain, as science and technology are currently developing rapidly. Exoskeletons, Chatbots and Social Robots are just the beginning.
How robots can help in everyday life and work and which visions for the future are possible, I will develop on 22 September 2019 in the workshop “Workshop Future trends – how robotics, artificial intelligence and automation can change our everyday lives and jobs” together with the guests of Silicon Vilstal in Geisenhausen!
