AI robots in your quality lab?
The role of automation in manufacturing could have some impact on inspection, as Ian Hart, MD of adi Projects division, writes…
AI robots in your quality lab?
The role of automation in manufacturing could have some impact on inspection, as Ian Hart, MD of adi Projects division, writes…
Many fastener businesses already include a degree of automation in their quality control processes, both freeing up time for their human operatives and reducing the risk of errors. But could the industry go further, with AI robots to help weed out any imperfect fasteners or related products?
Ian Hart, managing director of adi Projects division, has used his years of engineering expertise to explain how he believes AI and humans can work hand-in-hand in manufacturing and the implications for automation of inspection.
“Androids are not capable of replacing humans inside factories altogether. But as the power of AI continues to develop, they have the potential to become irreplaceable for specific functions.
“The real value of AI when it comes to manufacturing is providing robotics with the ability to assess data and make decisions based on that data – to essentially possess a form of ‘thinking’ process, which is certainly a long way away.
// The real value of AI when it comes to manufacturing is providing robotics with the ability to assess data and make decisions based on that data – to essentially possess a form of ‘thinking’ process, which is certainly a long way away. //
“There’s no longer anything new or innovative about standard three-dimensional robots that can automate repetitive manual tasks in factories,” he continued. “Standard robots do what they are programmed to do; nothing more, nothing less. We have seen some incredible examples of how humans can work collaboratively with these robots to enhance quality and increase profits. But we have not yet reached the next level.
“There's plenty of robots that can shift an item from point A to point B, for instance. However, in the future, more advanced AI-powered robots could become capable of assessing the current circumstances and decide that it's better to move the item somewhere else, or to not move it altogether.
“Similarly, these intelligent robots could be instrumental in the maintenance of factories, being available 24 hours a day for tasks such as inspections and watching over particular aspects of the production, as well as carrying out maintenance afterwards.
“Nevertheless, this type of technology is a long way away from being readily available, which means that at present, manufacturers can benefit from adopting a collaborative approach that looks at how humans and robots can work hand in hand as AI continues to develop.
// There's plenty of robots that can shift an item from point A to point B, for instance. However, in the future, more advanced AI-powered robots could become capable of assessing the current circumstances and decide that it's better to move the item somewhere else, or to not move it altogether. //
“Manufacturers are looking to lower costs as a priority. Their desire to reduce their reliance on manpower stems primarily from the need to decrease the risk of contamination and improve quality. And though ‘thinking’ robots are not yet within our reach, there’s technology available that can certainly lend a helping hand.
“We have to be mindful of taking such a black-and-white approach: estimating the effectiveness of a human being against that of a robot means humans have no chance of coming out on top. It’s simply not the right mindset.
“AI and robotics are inevitably going to cause certain types of jobs to disappear, yet human labour is, and will continue to remain indispensable now and in the future.
“Ultimately, to ensure we can effectively reap the many advantages of AI and robotics, we must clearly define the areas that will benefit from their implementation, and those that are better left to humans.”
