Patel 1

Shivang Patel

Professor Ashish D. Borgaonakar

FED-GEN 101

March 21, 2019

The Growth of Robotics in Industries:

Alan Kay, an American computer scientist, once said, “the best way to predict the future
is to create it.” Robotics is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering and science that includes
mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering, computer science, and
others. Industrial Revolution and Cold War were responsible for drastic technological
advancement in the United States which are seen and applied to today’s date. As fanaticized by
many scientist and technologist, the 21st century came with the wind of innovation and
renovative ideas which drastically altered the word’s life in day-to-day lifespan. Today, we can
foresight the future due to the technological advances and capabilities predicted years ago. As
the fast progressing word approaches at the speed of the light, robotics and its applications in
various engineering-related fields emerge making advancements for a better, safe and secure
tomorrow.

As discussed, the benefits of robotics advancements into food industry in the previous
article, “Robotics now and in future,” written by an American author “Wayne” and published by
Wayne Labs which implies how with technological advances, robots have convinced many
processors that they are worthy to hire, speeding procurers while improving the quality of food
and safety. With technological advancements, strong questions and concern about implementing
robotics in industrial work arises. Proponents of robotics advancements argue that robotics will
lead to a brighter and secure future; however, anti-supporters are concerned robotics will replace
labor jobs. In the past serval years, many controversial debates and opinions have sparkled all
over the globe creating a drastic dilemmatic situation. Implementing futuristic technologies with
robotics advancements into industries will enhance the market base production with high
efficiency and consistently, securing the safety in manufacturing and production of products.
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In an article, “A Robot in your Future,” written by “Neal Weinberg”--a tectological

writer, editor, and blogger, and published by a tech magazine Network world expands on impacts
of robotics in future. She argues that implementing robotics advancements will lead to a brighter
future revolutionizing industry forever. Firstly, she talks about the brief history of robotics into
modern-world while illustrating an example from a primary source of an American businessman,
Joe Engelberg—also known as the father of robotics, who formed a first robotic company with
an industrial robotic arm and sold to German Motors in 1962. Ever since, robotics in used in
manufacturing automobiles. After that, she narrates the further application of robotics in
manufacturing into She also recognizes the potential drawbacks of robotics into the industry,
i.e., replacement of labor jobs. The other article, “How Robots are Changing the Food Industry
and Improving the fulfillment,” Written by author “Cherish Castaldi”—a senior writer and a
blogger and published by food logistic magazine talks about the positive side of robotics in the
food industry. He kicks off the article by stating an eye-shredding fact ultimately drawing the
readers attention. He narrates the change in robotics into the food industry. Furthermore, he
compares and contradicts the impacts and results of robotically advancements into the food
industry now versus ten years ago.

Implementing Robotically tectological advancements into food industry will enhance

market-based production manufacturing products more consistent and productive than ever
before. Since the first industrial robotic arm was implemented in manufacturing automobiles by a
German company in effect, the world suddenly adopted robotics into manufacturing, and like
that, the world drastically changed. “The robotics industry today is about as far along the road to
widespread commercial acceptance as the PC industry was in the 1970s” (Weinberg). With that
being said, the applications of robotics and artificial intelligence were not only limited to
automobiles anymore; they were expanded to various engineering disciplines in hope to make
things better, faster, and more convenient. Nowadays, consumers are looking for smaller, more
convenient packaging to meet their changing lifestyles; and producers themselves are looking for
more flexible methods of packing mixed or multiple orders on the same line. As illustrated in the
graph proposed in the article by Neal Weinberg: robotics will matriculate a significant growth in
the upcoming years. The chart displayed below represents the growth of robotics in various
sectors over the next decade.
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Military Advances 92%

Toys/ entertainment 83%
manufacturing 94%
Space exploration 75%

Mechatronics—robotics mixed with artificial intelligence, AI, has successfully renovated

American industries making products convenient and better than ever before. Robotics has a
significant impact on military advances made in the past few years worldwide. Likewise, besides
from GPS trackers and navigation systems, soldiers now use a portable robot in the battlefield in
Afghanistan and Iran. “Individual PackBots are being used by American soldiers in Afghanistan
and Iraq to search inside caves and other dangerous places, and Greiner said the next step would
be to use swarms of networked PackBots to search an area for enemy soldiers, mines and
chemicals.” (Weinberg). Mechatronics not only transformed weapon industries but also helped to
mobilize food industries around the globe. “Using robots in food production reduces waste and
increases overall yield because actions like cutting are more consistent. It is estimated that robots
can help manufacturers enjoy roughly a 3 percent yield improvement in situations where precise
cuts make the difference between contaminated meat and sellable product” (Cherish).

Furthermore, implementations of robotics linked with automation can be applied for the
security and welfare of society. Today, nearly every automobile companies’ world-wide use
robots in manufacturing square parts of cars. Robots can adjust beyond the skill of an operator.
Not only do robots promote a more sterilized environment, but they also take more precise
counts during production, which leads to the ability to track a package that might be tainted back
to its origins. Robotics ensure safety and security in an industrial work environment. “Robots can
utilize sharp, dangerous equipment that eliminates the need for workers to be involved, making
for a safer work environment” (Castaldi). Robotics also ensure safety and security in food
manufacturing. “Contamination can be transferred from workers. Using robots in food
production eliminates the opportunity for contaminants to be transferred to food products”.
(Cascade).
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Robotics have moved upstream and can be used for filling, capping, sterilizing, high-
speed picking and sorting, packing and other activities-- effectively, concisely, and consistently
while ensuring security and safety concerns. Implementing robotics, artificial intelligence, and
automation in manufacturing and production might wipe out labor workforce; however, it will
mobilize the next generation to become more skilled and educated—eventually bossing the
nation’s economy. In addition to that, it will also ensure the nation’s security. Richard Lepack,
CEO of Frontline Robotics, said small, specialized robots could be used for physical security, to
patrol the perimeter of a commercial airport or to keep tabs on what's happening inside a bank at
night, for example. As we emerge in the fast-progressive world at the speed of light where
technological advances are made every day, robotics will ensure safety and security in
upcoming days.
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Work Cited:

Castaldi, Chris. “How Robots Are Changing The Food Industry And Improving
Fulfillment.” Food Logistics, no. 160, Sept. 2014, pp. 36–38. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=98721610&site=eds-live.
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Weinberg, Neal. “A Robot in Your Future?” Network World, vol. 22, no. 19, May 2005, pp. 1–
10. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=b9h&AN=17082187&site=eds-live.
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