www.sme.org Open in urlscan Pro
2606:4700::6810:93f4  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

GET /special-pages/search/

<form action="/special-pages/search/" method="get">
  <div id="autocomp_header" class="search-slot"><input type="search" placeholder="Search" name="q" autocomplete="off" role="combobox" required="required">
    <ul class="dropdown-menu"></ul>
  </div>
  <button type="submit" class="btn-search">
    <i class="material-icons">search</i>
  </button>
</form>

GET /special-pages/search/

<form action="/special-pages/search/" method="get">
  <div id="autocomp_header" class="search-slot"><input type="search" placeholder="Search" name="q" autocomplete="off" role="combobox" required="required">
    <ul class="dropdown-menu"></ul>
  </div>
  <button type="submit" class="btn-search">
    <i class="material-icons">search</i>
  </button>
</form>

Text Content

Skip to content
person Sign In shopping_cart Cart Join SME

search
 * About play_arrow
   
   PLAY_ARROW ABOUT
   
    * About SME
    * History of SME
    * SME Careers
   
    
    * Board of Directors
    * Executive Team
    * Member Council
   
    * Press Room
    * SME Awards & Recognition

 * Technologies play_arrow
   
   PLAY_ARROW TECHNOLOGIES
   
    * Latest News
   
    
    * Additive Manufacturing & 3D Printing
    * Automation
    * Controls
    * Grinding & Deburring
    * Lasers
    * Machining & Metal Cutting
   
    * Manufacturing Management
    * Materials
    * Quality/Inspection/Test
    * Smart Manufacturing
    * Software
    * Tooling & Workholding
   
    * Aerospace & Defense
    * Energy
    * Medical
    * Motorized Vehicles

 * Events play_arrow
   
   PLAY_ARROW EVENTS
   
    * Events Overview
    * Upcoming Events
   
    
    * Speaking Opportunities
    * Become a Sponsor
    * Exhibit at an Event
   
    * Upcoming Webinars open_in_new
    * SME Webinars
    * Chapter Events

 * Training play_arrow
   
   PLAY_ARROW TRAINING
   
    * Workforce Development
    * Training at Tooling U-SME
    * Certification Programs
    * Jobs Connection open_in_new
   
    
    * Additive Manufacturing Certification
    * Robotics in Manufacturing Fundamentals (RMF) Certification
    * Technical Certification
    * Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA)
    * Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT)
    * Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE)
   
    * Lean Certification
    * Bronze Level
    * Silver Level
    * Gold Level
    * Lean Knowledge Certificate
   
    * Certification Resources

 * Engage play_arrow
   
   PLAY_ARROW ENGAGE
   
    * Engage Overview
    * Develop through SME
    * Build through SME
    * Improve through SME
   
    
    * SME Communities
    * Manufacturing Day
    * Attend a Webinar open_in_new
   
    * SME Connect open_in_new
    * Volunteer Opportunities
    * SME Local Chapters
   
    * Be a Guest Speaker

 * Education play_arrow
   
   PLAY_ARROW EDUCATION
   
    * Students
    * Educators
    * Donate Now open_in_new
   
    
    * SME Education Foundation open_in_new
    * Education with Tooling-U SME open_in_new
    * NAMRI | SME

 * Membership play_arrow
   
   PLAY_ARROW MEMBERSHIP
   
    * Become a Member
    * Renew Your Membership open_in_new
    * Member Resources
    * SME Connect
      Online Community for Members to Engage & Share Knowledge
   
    
    * Member Benefits
    * Member-Discounted Services
    * Member-Exclusive Newsletters
   
    * SME Chapter Directory
    * Contact Membership
    * Gift a Membership

 * Media play_arrow
   
   PLAY_ARROW MEDIA
   
    * SME Media
    * Manufacturing Tech Hub
      Library of free downloadable content
    * Resource Center open_in_new
      White Papers, Webinars and More
    * Digital Resource Showcase open_in_new
      Access Exclusive Sponsor Content
    * Advertise With Us
      Media Guide, Ed. Calendars and More
    * Contact SME Media
   
    
    * News Articles
    * Manufacturing Engineering Magazine
    * Smart Manufacturing Magazine
    * Humans of Manufacturing
    * Manufacturing Weekly eNewsletter
   
    * White Papers
    * Subscribe
    * Industry Reports
    * ME Source Guide open_in_new
    * Webinars open_in_new
   
    * Podcasts
    * Journals
    * Books/DVDs
    * Tech Papers
    * Voices AMplified


menu close
menu


search


ROBOTICS: PAVING THE WAY FOR NEXT GEN CAREERS

August 24, 2023
By Brad Marley Contributing Editor
Robotic arms used for roboforming at a Machina Labs factory. Leveraging precise
industrial robotics and AI-driven process control, roboforming rapidly shapes
sheet metal into large, complex parts that are extremely expensive and slow to
produce with conventional manufacturing tools. (Provided by Machina Labs)

Robots have been used in industrial settings since the 1950s, and ever since
they have played a key role in helping manufacturers improve efficiency,
productivity and quality. Robots can work long hours in extreme conditions
without breaks, and they can be programmed to handle tasks that are too
difficult or dangerous for people.

But, of course, where there are robots, there is also a need for human expertise
in the form of programmers and engineers to make it all work seamlessly. 


EXPANDED ROLES AND CAREER PATHS

According to the International Federation of Robotics, the global stock of
industrial robots grew from 1 million units in 2011 to 3.5 million in 2021. This
is due to a variety of factors including innovations in technology and
decreasing costs of robotic solutions. This influx of new hardware and software
creates an abundance of jobs that require advanced technological knowledge and
problem-solving skills. The factory of the future will be staffed by robots and
the humans who work alongside them to ensure the factory operates at peak
efficiency.

The demand for robotics engineers is expected to jump by almost 10% from 2020 to
2030.

To keep up with demand, companies are seeking highly skilled robotics engineers
with expertise in areas such as machine learning (ML), control systems,
artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision, who can design, develop and
maintain robots, as well as ensure their safety and efficiency.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the demand for robotics engineers is
expected to grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than the average
growth rate for all occupations. This growth can be attributed to the
ever-increasing use of robots in industries such as manufacturing, as well as
healthcare and aerospace/defense.

The average salary for a robotics engineer in the United States is about
$100,000, while the average salary for a robotics technician, which requires
less education and training, is about $70,000, according to the Bureau. The two
roles exemplify sustainable career options, countering the notion that
manufacturing is an archaic industry offering menial jobs with limited income
potential.

This is likely music to the ears of Gen-Zers, also known as the digital natives,
who are joining the workforce. By demonstrating career paths that align to
technology, automation can go a long way to attract a new generation to
manufacturing.

Roboforming from Machina Labs is derived from software, not molds or dies.



LEANING INTO HUMAN INTELLIGENCE

There is no replacement for human intelligence. Even the best robots on the shop
floor are only capable of doing what they are programmed to do. While machines
can be superior when it comes to heavy lifting, humans are driving the
implementation of consistency and precision in handling repetitive tasks.

“If manufacturers seek to get the most out of their automation investment, they
need to understand where human intelligence provides the highest value,” says
Anthony Moschella, senior vice president of product management, Vecna Robotics
Inc., a flexible material handling automation company based in Waltham, Mass.
Moschella is buoyed by the promise of an intelligent industrial workforce that
drives transformational efficiency. He says it starts with a virtual handshake
between humans and robots that acknowledges the benefits and best features of
both to boost manufacturing.

It also relies on the continued improvement of autonomous technology driven by
cloud infrastructure and the “network effects” of deploying robots as a cohesive
system, with humans in the mix. At the end of the day, Vecna Robotics asserts
that industry leaders in material handling will win on data and the ability to
optimize workflows between skilled workers and intelligent automation systems.

Individuals who were once given mundane tasks, such as lifting and welding,
might manage a fleet of robots doing those same tasks on the shop floor today.
Those robots need the intelligence of humans to select the right workflows and
ensure they are as efficient as possible.

These tasks, which are defined as “low value,” are ideal for robots because they
don’t require a nimbleness that robots don’t possess. When humans are
responsible for the work, it costs too much to shift workflows.

“Human intelligence is too valuable to waste on repetitive tasks that could
cause injury or worse,” says Moschella. “If a company wants to deploy robots,
they should start small and see how robots and automation can be weaved into the
fabric of their manufacturing process.”


SAFETY MEETS SCI-FI ON THE SHOP FLOOR

Robots are ideal to take on jobs that humans can’t do or don’t want to do. This
is the work that requires hours of concentration, causes fatigue, sets the stage
for potential human error or injury and, in rare cases, death.

According to the National Safety Council, the most common injuries across U.S.
manufacturing are:

 * Contact with objects and equipment (34%)
 * Overexertion and other bodily reactions (32%)
 * Falls, slips and trips (18%)
 * Repetitive motion (6%)
 * Exposure to harmful substances or environments (5%)

Companies such as Sarcos Robotics Corp., based in Salt Lake City, are designing,
developing and manufacturing a broad range of advanced mobile robotic systems
that redefine human possibilities and enable safe and productive workforces.

“Most manufacturers are having a hard time filling the jobs that are considered
dull, dirty and dangerous, so it’s become apparent those jobs should be replaced
with automation,” explains Kristi Martindale, chief product and marketing
officer, Sarcos Robotics. “By doing so, we can market to a younger generation
with manufacturing careers steeped in high-tech that are more appealing to this
segment of the workforce.”

The Guardian XO full-body exoskeleton is the world's first battery-powered
industrial robot to combine human intelligence, instinct and judgment with the
power, endurance and precision of machines. (Provided by Sarcos Robotics)


Sarcos has built a product called the Guardian XO, which is a full-body
exoskeleton that an employee can climb into, facilitating the melding of human
intelligence with the power and precision of a machine. It allows humans to
complete heavy-duty tasks that can’t be done by a fully autonomous machine,
while reducing the risk of serious injury.

Because many shop floor injuries are due to repetitive work or lifting heavy,
awkwardly shaped items, exoskeletons can be the perfect complement humans need
to get more work done, while enticing those who may never have considered
manufacturing to look at it more closely.

“Robots are the great equalizer for the manufacturing workforce because they
don’t care who is operating them,” says Martindale. “Robot operator is a new
career that has recently come to the forefront, and we’re seeing a lot of
promise as to how it can be deployed across the workforce to attract new
workers.”

The Guardian XO exoskeleton makes light work of heavy-duty tasks, empowering the
operator to safely lift and manipulate up to 200 pounds (90 kilograms) without
fatigue or strain.



NEXT GEN FACTORIES REQUIRE RESKILLING

Machina Labs, a Chatsworth, Calif.-based startup founded in 2019, aims to revamp
centuries-old manufacturing by combining the latest in robotics and AI to build
the next generation of factories. The industrial tech company supports the idea
of a more diverse workforce as a way to not only open up manufacturing prowess,
but pave the way to bring more manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.

“When we introduce robotics into the (manufacturing) game, we are enabling
economics that make it possible to do manufacturing well in the United States
again,” asserts Ed Mehr, CEO and co-founder, Machina Labs. “There is a lot of
talk about robots replacing humans, but the real conversation should center
around what hiring will look like when we have more automation at our
fingertips.”

But, Mehr believes reskilling is necessary. This is supported by the World
Economic Forum (WEF) “Future of Jobs Report 2023,” which states that within
companies surveyed, the majority of the fastest growing roles are
technology-related jobs related to AI, ML and business intelligence. The report
reveals that six in 10 workers will require training before 2027, but only half
of workers have access to adequate training opportunities today. The highest
priority for skills training from 2023-2027 is analytical thinking, which is set
to account for 10% of training initiatives, on average.

“We can’t hire the people we need right now because there are not enough people
available with these specific skills,” Mehr notes. “In order to meet demand,
manufacturing companies need to start thinking about how they can help improve
skillsets to better meet their needs.”

Automation is designed, in part, to help manufacturers become more profitable,
expand, explore new markets or products, and be able to bring on new staff to
meet the evolving needs of their customers.

A modern manufacturing facility requires the skilled workers who can orchestrate
the shop floor, manage workflows and maintain an optimal balance of human and
machine.

When manufacturing merges the best of human intelligence and the best of robotic
and automation solutions, the industry will realize the potential for optimal
production, quality and profitability, as well as the exciting career
opportunities that enable people to learn, and earn, for years to come.

 * Automation
 * Manufacturing Management
 * Robotics
 * Smart Manufacturing
 * Workforce Development


RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

 * Research & Development
   
   HEXAGON'S SIXTH SENSE ANNOUNCES NINE STARTUPS TO TRANSFORM MANUFACTURING
   SUSTAINABILITY AND DIGITAL REALITY
   
   Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division has unveiled the nine promising
   manufacturing startups selected for its third Sixth Sense cohort.
   
   By Hillary Cargo
    

 * Automation
   
   AEROSPACE INDUSTRY DRIVES CHANGE IN DEEP HOLE DRILL
   
   The aerospace industry has long depended on gundrilling and deep hole
   drilling to manufacture many critical components used in commercial and
   military aircraft. Deep hole drilling is used for landing gear, cylinders,
   actuators, piston rods, fittings, shafts, pins and even fasteners.
   
   By Anthony Fettig
    

 * Smart Manufacturing
   
   6 WAYS ROBOTS ARE CHANGING MANUFACTURING
   
   Dave Northup is director of product management for Otto Motors, a division of
   Clearpath Robotics Inc. and provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs.
   
   By Karen Haywood Queen
    

 * Smart Manufacturing
   
   IT’S TIME TO JOIN THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
   
   One of the misconceptions about the manufacturing industry is that it is
   reticent to adopt new technologies. This can be true for some companies as
   they consider the costs of upgrading legacy hardware and software, including
   aging operational technology (OT.
   
   By Hooi Tan
    

 * Software
   
   ABB ROBOTICS UNVEILS OPTIFACT SOFTWARE PLATFORM
   
   ABB Robotics has introduced its modular OptiFact software platform, designed
   to streamline data collection, visualizationand analysis in automated
   production facilities. This platform allows users to collect, manage and
   analyze data from various factory devices, including ABB robots, ultimately
   enhancing key performance indicators like cycle time and overall equipment
   efficiency (OEE.
   
   By Hillary Cargo
    

 * View All Articles
 * 

 * Connect With Us
   

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 


ALWAYS STAY INFORMED

Receive the latest manufacturing news and technical information by subscribing
to our monthly and quarterly magazines, weekly and monthly eNewsletters, and
podcast channel.
Subscribe Today


HEADQUARTERS

1000 Town Center, Suite 1910
Southfield, MI 48075
313.425.3000


CLEVELAND OFFICE (TOOLING U-SME)

3615 Superior Avenue, East Building 44, 5th Floor
Cleveland, OH 44114
866.706.8665


TORONTO OFFICE

7100 Woodbine Avenue, Suite 312
Markham, ON L3R 5J2
888.322.7333


SME-RELATED WEBSITES

SME Education Foundation SME Media SME Connect Tooling U-SME Store SME Blog

SME EVENT WEBSITES

AeroDef Manufacturing Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show (CMTS) EASTEC
FABTECH FABTECH Canada FABTECH Mexico HOUSTEX Montreal Manufacturing Technology
Show (MMTS) North American Manufacturing Research Conference (NAMRC) RAPID + TCT
Smart Manufacturing Experience SOUTHTEC WESTEC Western Manufacturing Technology
Show (WMTS)
© 2023 SME. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use SME Privacy Policy SME Governance SME Careers

HEADQUARTERS

1000 Town Center, Suite 1910
Southfield, MI 48075
313.425.3000


CLEVELAND OFFICE (TOOLING U-SME)

3615 Superior Avenue, East Building 44, 5th Floor
Cleveland, OH 44114
866.706.8665


TORONTO OFFICE

7100 Woodbine Avenue, Suite 312
Markham, ON L3R 5J2
888.322.7333


SME-RELATED WEBSITES

SME Education Foundation SME Media SME Connect Tooling U-SME Store SME Blog

SME EVENT WEBSITES

AeroDef Manufacturing Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show (CMTS) EASTEC
FABTECH FABTECH Canada FABTECH Mexico HOUSTEX Montreal Manufacturing Technology
Show (MMTS) North American Manufacturing Research Conference (NAMRC) RAPID + TCT
Smart Manufacturing Experience SOUTHTEC WESTEC Western Manufacturing Technology
Show (WMTS)
© 2023 SME. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use SME Privacy Policy SME Governance SME Careers