Robotics is a field where you can notice the close connection between automation and AI. What does the future hold, and will they be bound forever?

Have you ever considered how artificial intelligence and automation are hardly separable? Imagine discussing the next automation breakthrough while neglecting the AI progress how it could be used to the industry’s advantage. It might still be possible today, but the role of AI is constantly increasing.

Robotics aims to deliver improvements in manufacturing and packaging processes by automating activities. Robotic units are designed to complete repetitive activities that humans consider boring or tedious.

Versatile Solutions

Autonomous robots are smart machines. They can recognize the time when maintenance is required and schedule it in advance. Depending on their intelligence, placing orders for reserve components is another function delivered.

Robots use network connections and artificial intelligence. Machines constantly learn and improve themselves. Once a particular robot understands a process, they can send the “explanation” to other machines. It speeds up the process of learning new tasks and accustoming to working environments.

Quality control is another area where the benefits of AI systems equipped with machine vision could be seen. Machines are capable of scanning products looking for any issues. If a robot detects a problem, it can throw away the part and keep it away from the manufacturing process. The task doesn’t require human involvement.

Ordering online created more orders than ever for the supply workforce to fulfill. It puts pressure on human personnel, and AI is there to relieve it. Automating the packaging process to a certain extent is crucial for both companies and human staff. Whether it is performing an activity quickly or filling out for a missing employee, robots can play an integral role in packaging.

Are Cobots the Future of Automation and AI?

Robots are frequently separated from human workers to avoid any interaction. It might lead to unintentional injuries of human personnel. Collaborative robots are smart enough to work in the same area as people. Also called cobots, these machines are becoming more popular every day.

Enterprises and factories throughout the world automate the production process by utilizing cobots. The machines currently assume only 5% of the market, but that share should increase seven times in the next five years. During that time, manufacturers will improve AI and enable even more versatile cobots. The main advantage of these machines is that they can be programmed to respond to particular tasks. Readjusting them is quick, which allows using them throughout the manufacturing process.

Downtime is always a blow for a company, but it seems it never left the consequences like today. A possibility for robots to recognize a problem and jump in where needed can take productivity to the next level.

With the improvement of AI, machines will also enhance. That will boost productivity, but also the safety of robots spending time with human personnel. Manufacturers consider adding a safe mode.

If a robot recognizes a human is too close, it automatically adjusts performed actions. The machine can reduce speed or stop entirely, depending on how it is programmed. As soon as the human leaves that area, cobot returns to its activity at full speed. That is only one of the potential solutions, but it is exciting to see how AI could improve automation in the future!