Emerging trends in robotics always seem to raise concerns over the ability of these automations to take up significant roles in the workplace.
Common conversation points about robots involve their ability to process emotion and replace human beings in a large number of fields, projections which are popular for robots in the workplace as well. Are robots a viable source of labor?
In the past, robots were generally associated with manufacturing, alone. Their potential as analytic and assessment tools can be harnessed for a number of managerial functions, including goal setting and monitoring team performance. Steps to incorporate robots with artificial intelligence may even increase the scope of ability of these all rounded employees.
MIT’s mini cheetah robot, despite its basic structure and small size, represents significant steps in robotics. Instead of the tragically slow models with limited locomotion capability, this robot represents a step in the right direction.
Like Dolly, the first successfully cloned sheep; it could be a major step in the right direction. But can robots replace human labor?
Role of robots in the workplace
Robots, in a strictly financial sense, are cheaper than human workers. Outside from the initial outlay, employers would only be required to spend on maintenance for robot workers. They would also own these robots, so there would be a significant reduction in recurring expenditures.
The cost of installing robot workers will be set to decrease, with a variety of innovations and an increased level of production guaranteed to lower their cost.
Employers would be getting guaranteed and consistent service, which would not be limited by physiological factors. Labor laws and basic humanity stipulates that employees cannot put their employees to work beyond a certain length of time.
In the event that an employer would like to improve their output, it could result in the need for more employees, which may raise the cost of operations beyond expectations. However, robots can continuously operate at the required skill level without being affected by the need for sleep, food or as a result of fatigue.
They can also handle more complex functions easily. In the future, machine learning could even improve robot capability well beyond human understanding. It could mean a potentially significantly better skilled workforce.
Robots can also be developed for specific tasks. They are faster, better and more accurate than human beings. They have versatile movements and can be tweaked to perform extremely complex functions easily. Robots will not be prone to impossible environmental conditions, which make them ideal for use in places where human safety would be a concern.
They could be programmed for anything and deliver error-free results every time!