The use of robots and automation is on the rise in North America, with many businesses turning to these technologies to increase productivity and efficiency. Automation is changing the face of labor and what it means for workers and the economy.
Key Points:
- The use of robots and automation is increasing in North America, with many businesses adopting these technologies to improve efficiency and productivity.
- Automation has the potential to create new job opportunities, but it also poses a threat to existing jobs, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing and transportation.
- The rise of automation is also changing the nature of work, with workers needing to develop new skills and adapt to new technologies.
- There are also social and economic implications of automation, such as the potential for increased inequality and the need for new policies to support workers and communities.
- Despite the challenges, the use of robots and automation is expected to continue to grow in North America, as businesses seek to remain competitive and adapt to a changing economy.
Personal Insights:
- They are coming.
- Every industry that has a cost of labor will have to figure it at some point or another…
Article Highlights:
- According to new statistics released by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), an industry group promoting automation, the North American automotive industry added 12 percent fewer robots to its workforce in 2018 than in 2017.
- According to A3, robot manufacturers shipped a total of 35,880 robots to customers in 2018, which is 7 percent more than in 2017. Of those, 19,178 robot workers went to automotive customers, down from 21,732 in 2017.
- Many other industries saw significant increases in the number of robots added to the work force, though — food and consumer goods, life sciences, and electronics saw increases of 48 percent, 31 percent, and 22 percent, respectively.
