Automation: the New Reality for Businesses
Technology is changing the world. From people being able to binge-watch old tv shows on their smartphones to corporate executives having meetings through a Zoom chat, we’re seeing things that we’ve never seen before. Another huge technological advancement that has affected the world has been automation. As of now, artificial intelligence and robotics can do things that only human beings could do.
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What is automation?
The industrial revolution brought the rise of factories. This would later lead to assembly lines where it took hundreds of people to build the products that were used every day. This is no longer the case. Today, technology or automatic equipment is being used in manufacturing, business or other processes and is transforming industries.
How is automation changing the world?
Manufacturing
Robotics are frequently used in assembly, machine tending, transfers of parts, welding and much more. It makes production more efficient and ensures consistent outputs.
Agriculture
Automation has also been very helpful in agriculture and is used by farms to make it easier to plant, harvest, sort and package produce. Automated equipment takes care of these processes, minimizing human input.
Warehouse logistics
It can be hard to organise a large warehouse. Robots make this task simpler. They often transport products within the warehouse and even know how to inspect them.
Marketing
Automation has even become useful in marketing. Daily tasks are now automatically carried out by software and technologies, which makes it easy to source data accurately and refine many marketing processes. This allows marketing businesses to reduce costs and focus on generating additional revenue and leads.
Exploration of difficult terrain
Space exploration wouldn’t be possible without robotics. Another example is deep underwater navigation and exploration.
Exo suits/wearable machines
Wearable machines or powered exoskeleton (also referred to as power suits or exo suits) are worn by a person in order to enhance their performance and their body’s own movements. These can help lift heavy items safely or support other forms of motions. They are often used for military purposes or in logistics, construction, aerospace and by the automotive industry.
How are robots made?
There are many different types of robots. It seems as if now there is a robot to do any job you can imagine. But how are robots made?
Since robots differ from one another so greatly, it’s hard to generalise how they are constructed. However, most robots are built by using three main parts:
- The mechanical parts, such as the wheels, gears and pistons, but the most important part is the motor. DC motors are common and highly efficient motors, which are used in all kinds of applications, including electric bikes, ceiling fans, remote control cars, children’s toys and hydraulic pumps.
- The controller or computer programme, which is used to operate the robot;
- The sensors, which the robot uses to sense objects as well as their size, shape and weight and the space in its surroundings.
There are countless examples of automation, but one thing is certain: Automation has changed our lives forever. Who knows how it will effect the future.