The use of robots in the workplace has helped to increase numbers at workplaces and also in society. Robots nowadays have increased capabilities. This has led to a rise in the need to ensure that this robotic evolution isn’t the “beginning of the end” for the human race. However, there is an even more pressing and immediate need to ensure that the growth in the use of robots doesn’t mean a risk for the human workforce. This need is further increased by the stories highlighted of workers getting killed by robots. 

Presently, robots are re-categorised into three, i.e., collaborative robots, personal and professional robots, and industrial robots. There is now an emerging fourth category of robots popularly referred to as managerial robots.  

A brief history of robots

The first wave was introduced back in the ’70s, and they were used in the car manufacturing industry to assemble automobiles. The second wave started in the early 21st century, and that’s when service robots were introduced to the world. This second wave was expedited by the increasing sensory and anatomy capabilities robots had. This, coupled with the small size and cost of microprocessors’ controllers, paved the way for the creation of mobile robots. 

These mobile robots were able to perform autonomous operations even in unfamiliar environments like disaster zones. Thanks to the availability of collaborative robots, which can directly work with humans, the third wave of robotic workers are now in progress. 

Industrial robots

According to the ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation), industrial robots are programmable, multipurpose manipulators, and re-programmable. They can either be fixed in mobile or placed to be used in automation applications. 

These robots are characterised by precision, endurance, and high strength and are mainly used for testing, moving, assembling, painting and welding. 

Risks they pose

Many industrial robots aren’t aware of their environment and, as such, pose a risk to people. Some of the hazards they pose include:

  • Chemicals, radiation, and vibrations
  • Noise
  • Thermal hazards (extreme temperatures)
  • Electrical hazards (live parts contact, arc flash exposure)
  • Mechanical hazards

Personal and professional service robots

According to the ISO, service robots are robots that perform useful tasks for humans. Professional service robots can be even further differentiated as being service robots used to conduct commercial tasks. On the other hand, personal service robots are used to perform non-commercial services. 

Physical propinquity between human workers and professional service robots is expected because both share a workspace. As such, worker isolation cannot be considered as a safety measure in such a scenario. Moreover, the complex environments pro service robots operate in require more mobility and autonomy. This mobile and autonomous behaviour can create dangerous situations for the human workforce. That is why robot designers are required to consider the ethical, social, and physical implications of that autonomy. 

Collaborative robots

According to the ISO, collaborative robots are specially designed to have direct human interaction. They aim to combine the precision, endurance and strength mechanical robots have. Considering that they work alongside human workers, isolation is still also not a viable option. That is why safety measures such as the use of proximity sensors, software tools, and other appropriate materials must be considered. 

What robots are used for in the automotive industry

Robots have been used in assembly lines for over 50 years. Some of their uses include:

  1. Vision: Robotic arms having “eyes” are used for operations that call for precision. Such a robot has a robot wrist that carries the camera and laser, giving the machinery feedback instantly. As such, they are used to install fenders, windshields, and door panels.
  2. Arc and spot welding: Industrial robots having long arms are used to spot-weld heavy body parts, whereas smaller robots are tasked with welding lighter parts like brackets and mounts. 
  3. Assembly: Some robotic arms are used to assemble pumps and motors at high speed. Other tasks that are performed by robotic arms in the automotive industry include windshield installation, wheel mounting, and windshield installation. 
  4. Coating, sealing and painting: Painting automobiles is no easy task, and it’s a toxic process. What’s more, there’s currently a labour shortage, making it nearly impossible to find professional/skilled painters. This is where robots fill the void and give the required consistency for a perfect finish. Machines are also used to spray primers, sealants, and adhesives. 
  5. Part transfer and machine tending: Pouring hot, molten metal, unloading and loading CNC machines, and transferring metallic stamps pose health and safety risks to human workers. Industrial robots are perfect for such jobs. More miniature robots are also used in unloading/loading tasks and machine tending. 
  6. Removal of materials: Robots can follow many complex paths without fail. This ability makes them the perfect tool for trimming and cutting jobs. Robots having force sensors can trim flash from cutting fabric, polishing moulds, and plastic mouldings. 
  7. Internal logistics: AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) like forklifts are used in different factory settings. For example, Ford Motor Co. in Spain recently adopted the use of AMRs to deliver welding and industrial materials to different robot stations. 

More accessibility 

The automotive industry has fully embraced the use of robots in its assembly lines. Deploying and programming the robotic workforce is now more possible than it was some few years back. Their use has resulted in the creation of better quality products. 

Conclusion

Each vehicle comes with thousands of parts and wires. This means that the process of getting many components to work together is a complex one. Even with its complexity, the processes require the same quality standards when assembling all parts. That is why robots are perfect for these jobs. They can work even in lights out situations but still give out the high-quality standards set for production. 

These are some of the many different ways robots are used in the manufacturing industry. There have been whispers of there being more projects in the works aimed at enhancing productivity, security, and reliability. The expected outcome is reduced prices and fast-paced delivery times.