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The Impact of Automation on the Job Market

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As more and more processes become automated, it can seem like a threat to traditional employment. However, that’s not necessarily the case, and automation can actually improve worker safety, create better jobs, and generally advance society as a whole.

If you are worried that your job is at risk of elimination due to automation, it’s a good idea to create a powerful resume now, that shows how you can still provide value to a company as well as work and grow alongside automation. [Read more…] about The Impact of Automation on the Job Market

Construction robotics startup Canvas launches drywall finishing robot

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Construction robotics startup Canvas has unveiled a drywall finishing robot. 

The company also launched its Innovation Partner Program, a collaborative partnership with six industry-leading contractors that share the company’s vision to “build in bold new ways by putting better tools in the hands of skilled workers”.

Drywall finishing tools have remained unchanged for the better part of a century. With Canvas’s new worker-controlled robotic machine, contractors are able to make drywall finishing safer and more attractive to a shrinking pool of skilled labor, while realizing unmatched metrics for schedule, cost, quality and safety. [Read more…] about Construction robotics startup Canvas launches drywall finishing robot

7 Industrial Workplace Innovations and Trends to Emerge in 2022

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The best way to prepare for the future is to predict it. While it may not be feasible to define the future perfectly, it’s possible through study, research, and scientifically guided forecasts to learn the recurring patterns that influence how work is done and develop plans around those expected plans.

Several studies are being conducted to decipher and grasp what the future of work will look like in 2022 and beyond.

Considering how rapidly things change in our world today, industries need to get even with the various workplace innovations that are shaping the industry and trends to emerge in 2022.

Currently, there are tools, software, and platforms that make digital work easier. There are also code-compliant, prefabricated industrial stairs, and it’s only a matter of time before other innovations are implemented.

But specifically, the following workplace innovations and trends should be on your watchlist in 2022: [Read more…] about 7 Industrial Workplace Innovations and Trends to Emerge in 2022

Automating cricket ball production: Global cricket ball manufacturer uses automation with a vision system for efficiency and upskilling

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Under the laws of cricket, it is illegal for players to rub any substance other than saliva and sweat onto the ball, let alone scuffing it with their fingernails. Similarly, strict rules apply to the manufacturing of cricket balls.

Here’s how cricket ball manufacturer Kookaburra designed its first ever machine tending robotic system to produce the perfect ball, with the help of industrial robot supplier, TM Robotics and MAP Services, Australian partner for TM Robotics and Shibaura Machine.

Machine tending is repetitive work. The job of loading and unloading machines with parts or materials are usually done by humans. In the production of cricket balls, workers would place covers – the outside leather of cricket balls – onto trays after being pressed into shape to form half of a cricket ball. These trays are then placed into a rack and moved to the next process – trimming excess leather from the pressed cover. [Read more…] about Automating cricket ball production: Global cricket ball manufacturer uses automation with a vision system for efficiency and upskilling

4 Ways to Fuse the Power of People and Technology to Sustain Competitiveness in Manufacturing

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By Eric Whitley, L2L

The manufacturing industry is in the middle of the fourth industrial revolution.

Today’s smart factories produce high-quality products at competitive prices which can dominate the market and give the manufacturer an advantage over its competition.

This ability to dominate the market is known as competitiveness. [Read more…] about 4 Ways to Fuse the Power of People and Technology to Sustain Competitiveness in Manufacturing

The Future of the Workplace: The Rise of the Digital Workplace

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Since the Covid-19 pandemic rolled through the world the way companies conduct business has changed dramatically. A shift in business makes a significant impact upon the workforce across the globe. In a positive way.

Companies that could allow their employees the luxury of working from home during the lockdowns did so. The ones that were not able to do so continued to run as best that they could, cutting back on production and payroll to allow them to stay in business.

Some of them, anyway. Thousands of businesses had to go bankrupt and close their doors because they could not follow the shift of the business world. [Read more…] about The Future of the Workplace: The Rise of the Digital Workplace

Kärcher and Brain Corp debut industry’s ‘first professional robotic vacuum’

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Brain Corp, a provider of software for industrial floor cleaning robots, has launched its “first professional autonomous vacuum cleaner”, the Kira CV 60/1.

The new machine is a joint development with Kärcher, one of the world’s leading providers of cleaning technology.

The two companies say the Kira device is built to help businesses clean smarter than ever before, the autonomous vacuum is the first robotic machine released in partnership between Brain Corp and Kärcher. [Read more…] about Kärcher and Brain Corp debut industry’s ‘first professional robotic vacuum’

Sarcos Robotics ‘merges’ with Rotor Acquisition

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Shareholders in Rotor Acquisition, a publicly-traded special-purpose acquisition company, have approved what’s being described as a “business combination” – possibly meaning a merger – with Sarcos Robotics, a maker of exoskeletons.

Upon completion of the transaction, subject to the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions, Rotor will change its name to Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corporation.

The post-closing company’s common stock and warrants are expected to commence trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbols “STRC” and “STRCW” respectively. [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics ‘merges’ with Rotor Acquisition

International Examples Give Inspiration to American Industry

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American automation has, over recent years, come to somewhat of a standstill.

The impact of the international coronavirus pandemic clearly illustrated this; NASDAQ highlights how industrial production dropped to a ten year low, with only the arrival of new automation tools creating any sort of relief within the industry.

The need for automation is clear, as the impact of a total industrial shutdown causes far more harm to the economy and jobs than the jobs lost to robotic and automated systems. While America might have a lot to do to catch up, other countries have carved out a trail that can provide inspiration. [Read more…] about International Examples Give Inspiration to American Industry

Lucas Systems and Fetch Robotics partner to optimize robot-and-worker collaboration in warehouses

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Lucas Systems, a provider of voice and warehouse optimization software for fulfillment and distribution centers, has entered a partnership with Silicon Valley-based Fetch Robotics to enable the next generation of smart warehouses.

Through the partnership, Lucas and Fetch will offer tailored solutions to orchestrate and optimize how warehouse workers interact in harmony with Fetch’s autonomous mobile robots.

Fulfillment and distribution centers are under tremendous pressure due to growth in e-commerce combined with a shrinking labor market. [Read more…] about Lucas Systems and Fetch Robotics partner to optimize robot-and-worker collaboration in warehouses