Thinking Beyond Skynet: Why Robotic Automation in the Supply Chain Will Benefit Everyone
If you are at all familiar with American popular culture from the last several decades, one of the first things that is likely to pop into your head when you hear about the increasing introduction of robotic technology into every day society is ‘Skynet’. Skynet is, of course, the fictional artificial intelligence system from the Terminator movies. In that franchise, the introduction of robots into society leads to mankind’s destruction and a terrifying post-apocalyptic world. Although we all recognize this as simple science-fiction fantasy, we would all be lying if we said we didn’t harbor some deep-seated reservations about robotic automation thanks in large part to these films, to say nothing of a century’s worth of other similar dystopian stories. This is before we even take into account the very substantive, real-world anxieties about losing jobs—especially in manufacturing—to automation.
Although there is much to be written about the potential cons of continuous automation in the work place (as well as unforeseen problems that could arise from direct human-robotic interaction), it is important that people start thinking beyond Skynet. The rise in technological advancement and the steady demand for that technology puts things in clear perspective: automation and robotics in the workplace are not a possibility, they are an inevitability. Supply chain leaders seem to have accepted this, and thus, they have been leading the way when it comes to the implementation of robotic automation in their industry.
The first thing to keep in mind is that robots are not likely to supplant the human worker any time soon. This technology is still extremely expensive, and the means of production are quite a ways off in terms of being able to produce enough of them to saturate the work place. Add to that the fact that most warehouses and manufacturers are years away from being able to introduce the tech into their operations in the first place.
The robots that are likely to be seen the most over the next 5-10 years should be thought of as ‘co-bots’. They will be purchased and programmed to take control of tasks that are dangerous for humans, or which are only currently necessary because the technology had not, up until now, found a way to automate them. Despite the constant refrains regarding the vulnerability of the job market, the fact is that online consumer purchasing is growing at a rate that is fast becoming too much for the modern work force to accommodate, thanks in no small part to a shortage of the labor force. The people in that industry are aging out of it and into retirement, and many of the jobs they will be leaving behind are the type that are often so monotonous, physically exhausting, and sometimes dangerous, that the people entering the workforce do not want them. That’s where these ‘co-bots’ come in. Their implementation into the workplace will not only fill a important need that will allow manufacturers and supply chain providers to keep up with consumer demand, they may also create a new source of employment, as there will be a need for people to program and work closely with them.
There are other examples where the need for robotic automation is more evident. In the case of labeling and distributing much needed pharmaceuticals, the cost of human error can mean the difference between life and death. TBC Saitama, one of the logistics wings of Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturer Toho Holdings Co. Ltd has been using automation to ensure the accuracy of their shipping process. They were having a problem obtaining the work force they required, and so developed a complex automation system with the goal of reducing errors to one per 10 million. Thanks to the integration of their automation system with their warehouse management system (WMS) they have been able to handle their daily shipments to over 23,000 customers with an astounding 77% higher productivity rate than their other logistics facilities.
It is not only in supply chain sectors with a high-risk factor, such as pharmaceuticals or chemicals, that robotic automation is a potential source of overall improvement. As stated earlier, the shipping industry has to constantly struggle to keep up with demand, now that so much of the consumer’s purchasing has moved online. Using robotic automation can enhance the customer experience by streamlining the supply chain process, and by adding to its visibility. By taking over low-value, repetitive tasks such as basic data entry, they free up customer service representatives, giving them more time to deal directly with customers, thus strengthening the relationship between a business and its consumer base. This is an ideal situation for all involved.
We need not go into full Paul Revere mode just because we know that the robots are coming. So long as the effort is put forth by manufacturers and supply chain providers to train their employees in the ways to work with their incoming ‘co-bots’, everyone can meet the future with enthusiasm and optimism, rather than fear or resentment. Robotic automation, if implemented correctly, can help streamline operation, enhance visibility, and strengthen the bond between businesses and their customers. Forget Skynet: peace between robots and humans is entirely possible.
