From June 6 to 9, 2022, Detroit, Michigan, became the epicenter of industrial innovation as thousands of stakeholders gathered for Automate, North America’s largest industrial automation exhibition. Organized by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the event showcased cutting-edge technologies and solutions shaping the future of smart manufacturing. With over 500 exhibitors and countless attendees, Automate 2022 highlighted how automation can address pressing industry challenges, including the global workforce crisis and the need for faster ROI in manufacturing processes.
Tackling the Workforce Crisis with Automation
One of the central themes at Automate 2022 was the workforce crisis, exacerbated by the Great Resignation, which saw record numbers of employees leaving their jobs in 2020. The event emphasized how automation can help bridge this gap by creating new talent pools and retaining existing workers. Key strategies included:
Upskilling Employees: Flexible and easy-to-program robotic solutions were showcased as tools to engage and upskill workers, preparing them for Industry 4.0 technologies.
Reducing Turnover: Automation was highlighted as a way to improve employee morale and reduce turnover by eliminating repetitive and mundane tasks.
Human-Robot Collaboration: The event demonstrated how collaborative robots (cobots) can work alongside humans, enhancing productivity and job satisfaction.
Flexible and Easy-to-Integrate Robotic Solutions
Automate 2022 put a spotlight on flexible and user-friendly robotic solutions designed to meet diverse manufacturing needs. Boston Dynamics, for instance, unveiled Stretch, a compact warehouse robot capable of handling large payloads in tight spaces. This marked the company’s first foray into warehouse automation. Additionally, the event addressed concerns about the complexity of integrating cobots by showcasing various deployment methods, including plug-and-play solutions requiring no coding. Companies like Robotiq demonstrated how cobots could be programmed simply by moving their arms, making automation accessible to businesses of all sizes.
Achieving Quick ROI with Automation
A key takeaway from Automate 2022 was the importance of robotic solutions that deliver immediate value and a faster return on investment (ROI). Experts like Silas Robertson from Olympus Controls highlighted cost-effective applications such as welding, machine tending, palletizing, and material transfer. By delegating these repetitive tasks to cobots, manufacturers can speed up processes while allowing human workers to focus on tasks requiring reasoning and fine dexterity. Lou Finazzo from FANUC emphasized that the ROI of automation extends beyond cost reduction, including benefits like improved employee engagement and a cultural shift toward embracing future technologies.
Enhancing Human-Robot Collaboration
Automate 2022 underscored the importance of true human-robot collaboration in modern manufacturing. Stu Shepherd from Universal Robots explained how cobots and skilled workers can form winning teams, with cobots handling repetitive or dangerous tasks and humans focusing on complex, detail-oriented work. The event also highlighted advancements in cobot safety, allowing traditional safety guards to be removed and creating truly collaborative workspaces. Simplified programming methods, such as hand guidance, empower employees to work with technology they can control and understand, fostering a sense of ownership and innovation.
Conclusion
Automate 2022 offered a hopeful vision for the future of smart manufacturing, even in the face of workforce challenges and economic stagnation. By embracing flexible automation, prioritizing quick ROI, and fostering human-robot collaboration, manufacturers can create more efficient, engaging, and sustainable workplaces. The solutions showcased at Automate 2022 demonstrate that the future of manufacturing is not just about technology—it’s about empowering people and building a brighter tomorrow.
