Robots are still very new to us. Even though they are around for decades, they were mostly confined to the manufacturing sector. That is a place where few of the public venture. This means the "out of sight, out of mind" applies.
This is quickly becoming not the case anymore. Robots are entering the world in places they are being noticed.
Probably at the top of this list is the retail segment. We are seeing a lot of them entering that sector. This is putting them in the purview of the general public.
This means that, as time passes, we will become more accustomed to them being there.
It is a process that was accelerated due to COVID-19. Companies took the opportunity to increase their investment in robots. At the same time, the public became more understanding due to the risk associated with humans.
A new survey by RetailWire and Brain Corp, an artificial intelligence (AI) company creating core technology in robotics, including cleaning robots, supports the conclusion that COVID-19 has hastened automation development and adoption. Robots used for tasks such as floor cleaning and shelf scanning, both in stores and in warehouses, are selling briskly, and sentiment among retailers broadly supports adoption. The survey results are included in an executive summary available online, "Robots in Retail: Examining the Autonomous Opportunity."
We still have the Sci-Fi image of what robots are. These have come a long in the last couple decades. Few of them resemble Rosie of the Jetsons but we are seeing things moving forward.
For now, many of our "robots" are combination meaning they can be operated by humans. But, as time goes by, we will see that transition to them being simply automated.
What does this mean for humans?
Simply, that we have to accept this is progress. A little more than 100 years ago, roads all over the world were filled with horse and carriages. That was the norm. Within 2 decades, the horses were replaced by the automated transportation machines, called the automobile.
Thus, we see how it went from a venue filled with live things to one that was made up of machines.
Of course, this is not novel. Harkening back to the idea of the manufacturing realm, here is what an automobile line looks like.
Here is a comparison how things looked half a century ago.
This shows that we, as humans, are able to adjust. The difference is that, this time, it will be in our face. The retail environment is marching ahead towards this rapidly.
In fact, the above linked report has this to say:
"These are not the kinds of numbers indicative of an emerging technology in an early phase of deployment in retail, but of a technology just a few short years from widespread adoption," according to the report.
To sum up, we best get accustomed to seeing robots around us because there are only going to be more of them in the world as each year passes. We are not going to see the number diminish.
We are also going to see the areas where we see robots expanding. Healthcare is one area that is often mentioned. Japan, which suffers from an aging population, more than any other country, has to make up for the lack of caregivers. Hence, they are adopting robotics at a increased pace.
This could be a great boom for economic activity. As we see more implemented, the amount of production should increase. Also, the ROI means that they should help the bottom line for companies. After they breakeven, the idea is that the robots will reduce expense. Unlike labor which is an ongoing costs, the robots will only require maintenance which is less costly.
It is a situation that could be a welcomed sight for many retailers. They tend not to be high margin companies, especially in the grocery sector. They are going to do all they can to improve margins and reducing payroll is a great way to do that.
Robots in their many forms are simply going to be a part of our future. It is something that humans will adapt to. In fact, it was not that long ago that Kiosks were something relatively new. Yet they are fairly common.
The laws of Information Technology will be in play here meaning the costs of these robotic devices will come down while their capabilities improve. This will likely produce an acceleration curve especially in certain industries.
It is only a matter of time before we accept robots.
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