Robotics in Manufacturing

Achieving Success with Robotics in Manufacturing

Is your C-Suite prepared? Is your business ready to share an office with robots? Do your employees have the skills to take on the new responsibilities robots will make available? A recent study of across 29 countries highlighted the prominent place robots will soon secure in the modern workforce.

Fundamentally, there are two types of robots applicable in the workforce; these are defined as Service Robots and Industrial Robots. Arguably, Industrial Robots hold a more a ‘physical’ presence than Service Robots as these are found in factories on assembly lines.

The Automotive industry is great example of a sector that already heavily uses Industrial Robots. Some robotic tasks here include painting, welding or assembling motorised vehicles. Conversely, Service Robotics are not necessarily machines but applications of artificial intelligence or process automation which are used in place of humans.

Despite the differences between the two, both technologies will have (and are having) significant and transformative effects for workers, spanning across many sectors and occupations.

"There is an evident need for C-suite leaders to incorporate the preparation for robotics and their consequences into their 5 to 10 year plan."

Actions the C-Suite Must Take

Click the image below to explore specific key actions that should be taken by the different C-Suite roles in order to gain a competitive advantage from robotics in manufacturing and to protect the future success of your business.

The Impact of Robotics and How to Adapt

The new trends and changes on the horizon extend to the C-Suite, not just the wider workforce. Introducing robotics into the work environment will require senior management to adopt a new approach to leadership. Leading a hybrid workforce will still demand an empathic and humanist style however, this will need to be coupled with a contemporary, technology motivated and data focused mindset.

Additionally, C-suite individuals will have to adapt to working alongside new job roles – have you considered the possibility of needing a Chief Robotics Officer?

In light of this, there is an evident need for C-suite leaders to incorporate the preparation for robotics and their consequences into their 5 to 10 year plan. Whilst, there are obvious areas to prepare for – for example, roles within organisations that will be replaced by automation – leaders also need to focus on their own development. There will be a shift in the knowledge required of C-Suites and a need for a defined approach to handling the opportunities new, sophisticated data will present.

"The speed of adoption is gaining considerable momentum and it is important for the C-suite to adapt to the technologies that are growing in a scale and prominence."

Take Action Now

As with the majority of businesses, a change or transformation will take some time, but this is no excuse to delay. The speed of adoption is gaining considerable momentum and it is important for the C-suite to adapt to the technologies that are growing in a scale and prominence.

Leaders should take the opportunity to begin discussing upcoming changes and start thinking about a strategic plan for the long term. ERA can help you begin these difficult conversations and guide your organisation the best practice.

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