Digital Transformation: From Humans to Robotics and AI

The advancement of technology within the industrial revolution continues to gain popularity and implementation in a variety of industries. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is one of the key players in digital transformation and many sectors have adopted this modern advancement due to its transformative abilities, being less of a nice-to-have and more of an imperative. Digitization, robotic systems, and automation have proven to speed up processes, with precise dexterity and the reduction of errors, as well as being cost-effective. Robotics are nothing new, playing an important role in the automation of industries and the processes within them. Robots have been contributing to production and manufacturing for decades with the first autonomous programed robot being employed by General Motors in the 1960s. Today, robots manufacture, package, sort, calculate, assemble, and a plethora of other processes. Their presence and adoption have only enhanced the productivity and efficiency of these processes and are often used to cooperate with and complement human efforts.

The human-robot-AI continuum

The more industries are incorporating robotics, as well as AI and machine learning, the more the line is blurring. AI is an umbrella term used to refer to anything related to making machines, such as robots, smarter. Previously, machines were thought to operate under the condition that they were programed to execute tasks in a predetermined manner for 'human-defined' tasks. Ultimately, AI allows machines to understand, learn, and act on their own based on the information that they have gathered. Machine Learning (ML) is the most popular type of AI technology that is able to learn based on obtained and stored information and get "smarter" without human intervention. The term Big Data is often used to define the ability to gather large sets of data from infinite sources that helps AI to learn trends and patterns to create forecasts of future trends and patterns. The purpose of AI is to emulate human performance by understanding complex content through object and speech recognition. Advanced ML-based systems together with robotics enables natural interaction with the end user.

The importance of AI systems

The importance of automated - and often repetitive and mundane - tasks has been proven tenfold, emphasised by the value of engaging with customers digitally and to meet their immediate needs without hesitation. In short, AI is invaluable to digital transformation. As we progress as a species and technologies develop further, the more we intend to interact with smart technology products; products that help improve business processes, offer a multitude of options, and help align available products to our unique needs and preferences.

The future of humans and robotics and AI

The future is bright for both humans and autonomous solutions. Robotics and AI are already integrating seamlessly with existing technologies, complementing and supporting tasks with added efficiency, speed and quality control, while simultaneously capturing data that can enhance processes and eliminate anomalies that lead to error. The central point is that robots and AI are not intended to ‘replace’ humans; rather, they have been developed to help humans and work alongside them to optimize performance and advance processes, making the world more productive.

Yaskawa

We are a trusted partner and leader in the manufacturing of robotic solutions for palletizing and depalletizing. Our offering involves flexibility through 2D and 3D vision software as well as specialized software and tooling to enable customization for speed, safety, accuracy, and maximum productivity. We can also provide you with the necessary training to use your robot to its full potential. Contact us for more info.