July 20208 MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTSIN MY OPINIONThe technological innovations of the last century have greatly improved our quality of life, both in our homes and in the workplace. Since the start of robotic automation, more and more dangerous and unergonomic work has been automated, freeing workers to perform safer and more rewarding jobs in the manufacturing environment. As with all innovative advancements, there are exaggerated expectations of where this technology will lead us. Some seek to adopt the latest trend without knowing if it is right for their applications. Others see this technology as a threat that will replace all human work. In reality, workers have always been and will always be a part of the picture, but what will their role be going forward?Today, we are witnessing the digitalization of the robotics world, pushing the once advanced notion of "Robotic Automation" towards "Smart Robotic Automation." This synthesis of hardware and software means robots, production lines, and even complete plants can be controlled, monitored, and optimized by connecting them and making intelligent use of available data via software and cloud technology. Even in these incredible advancements, humans continue to play an essential role in everything from direct interaction with robots to managing the data across an entire factory.One of the critical challenges of working with robots is keeping nearby humans safe while the robot is performing application-related tasks. Until recently, the regular use of industrial robots was limited to keeping them behind safety fences and away from human contact. If the interaction was necessary, solutions like turntables were introduced to keep the two separated and minimize interruption of the process. The development of better sensor technology, like safety laser scanners, allowed humans and robots to work closer together, but it was the integration of software and sensors within the robot that has enabled them to work alongside their human counterpart. This lets the worker concentrate on flexibility and complexity parts of the job while the robot performs repetitive and unergonomic work. The additional sensors and intelligent components within robotic systems have served as an enabler for a different development: predictive maintenance. By collecting and The Human Factor in "Smart Robotic Automation"By Denise Ebenhoech, Regional Head of Advanced Robotic Applications, KUKA Robotics [ETR:KU2]Smart robotic automation can also work the other way around and help us understand humans betterDenise Ebenhoech
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