James Lawton

The looming question of recession is no longer if, but when. For manufacturers, the lack of flexibility they need to successfully navigate the uncertainty is exacerbated by labor shortages and rigid automation. The good news: collaborative robots boost flexibility and more.

Getting consensus on the best strategy for harnessing Industry 4.0 isn’t easy. That’s ok. What the pundits say isn’t keeping leaders up at night – there are plenty of real world challenges for that. What we do know is leadership will look very different in the digital age of manufacturing.

Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven collaborative robots are not some futuristic technology that manufacturers have to wait for. The AI that makes cobots smart, capable and effective is here and at work today – improving productivity and quality in manufacturing operations large and small.

As humans and machines engage in direct working relationships, how it works is interesting.
Making these connections successful draws from an unlikely source: animation and video
gaming, where innovation gives autonomous characters – and robots – ways to engage in
dialogue using non-verbal cues.

In Forbes, the race to build the digital factory is on for most manufacturers, but it’s not going to be easy. Collaborative robots can help with on-board “brains” that help with the data tsunami that’s coming and accelerate the path to achieving the promise of Industry 4.0.

It’s a great time for cobots. The market potential seems limitless. It makes sense – these solutions give manufacturers relief from the challenges of labor and a path to the bright future of Industry 4.0. But how real is the hype?

In Forbes, manufacturers are on board with the vision of Industry 4.0, but not really clear on why or how and it’s not hard to understand why.

Even as they race toward the promise of Industry 4.0, manufacturers are stymied by a present-day, real-world problem: reliable, productive labor. Today’s smart, collaborative robots do double duty: giving manufacturers a workforce that works and future-forward solutions that support the evolution.

Smart, collaborative robots have crossed over from futuristic fantasy to solving the real-world challenge of labor in manufacturing. Today, robots are working in manufacturing to increase productivity and efficiency; soon robots will help manufacturers run more agile and innovative operations.

Growth is what matters – on Wall Street, Main St. and around the world. Supply chain executives need to embrace the vision of a supply chain that supports growth.

Global manufacturers are looking for ways to increase competitiveness, productivity and value. In China, the formula for success increasingly centers on the accelerated adoption of robots.

In Forbes, for manufacturers, having leveraged technology to optimize efficiency, it is time to focus on growth, innovation and customer-centric models to change the mindset that’s fueling the race to the bottom (line).

As manufacturers wrestle with the what, how and when of Industry 4.0, robots are here to help. Getting smarter all the time, robots will become engines of world-class operations with the ability to figure out what is going on, what is wanted, and make recommendations smoothly to modify what they are doing so they can do it better.

Smart machines enable the demand-drive supply chain.

Digital manufacturing is coming. And like all change it can be daunting. But manufacturers can take heart - they aren't the first to experience a digital revolution. Marketing's been there, done it and may offer some wisdom.

In Forbes, smart, collaborative robots are giving “small” manufacturers the freedom to do more.

Robots are well-positioned to play a big role in accelerating the journey to the digital factory for manufacturers large and small

Smart, collaborative robots have torn down the obstacles to automation for 90 percent of tasks in manufacturing. Now, these software-driven robots are bringing innate cognitive skills to the task of building Industry 4.0.

Robots, artificial intelligence and manufacturing were hot in 2016. What was substance and what was just noise? Did we really move the needle on the value innovation plays in these fields?

Robots are changing everything – automation, manufacturing and soon, in the Industrial Internet of Things, the business of manufacturing. Fueling the ability to sense, respond and act on changes internal and external, robots give manufacturers a faster path to harnessing opportunities.

The next installment of robots as agents of change: robots with grit are poised to change manufacturing.

Connecting with DFJ’s Steve Jurvetson on investment philosophy, the definition of innovation and what got him to invest in Rethink Robotics.

Robots evolve to change the way manufacturing gets done.

At the intersection of mind and machine, manufacturing is poised for transformation. Here are three challenges industry faces in order to capitalize on advances in robotics and the Industrial Internet.

Manufacturing is undergoing a transformation and as manufacturing strategies change, so then must the definition of supply chain excellence.

Watching Chinese manufacturers embrace smart, collaborative robots – lessons worth heeding.

The Chinese government launched an ambitious strategy to transform Chinese manufacturing from the world’s source of low-cost labor to the leader in innovation and quality.

If you want to succeed with a technology project, start with the culture question. What do I need to do to get my whole team/organization on board with this initiative? Your team engages and you achieve the value you envisioned.

Robots have come a long way, and it’s time to ditch the old ways of thinking about what it takes to put them to work.

Tesla’s auto-piloting software will change how we think about cars and drivers—I’m seeing the same shift in robots and manufacturing.

When you hear about innovative technological advances that are reshaping industries, chances are you aren’t thinking about a factory floor. Not much has changed there since the first industrial robots were deployed in the 1960s — until now.

Last month’s RoboBiz was jam-packed with the latest and greatest products, the best and brightest minds in the field and an incredible amount of energy around the practical applications that smart, collaborative robots are being put to use for today.

What does Made in China 2025 mean for global manufacturing? The race to lead in the factories of the future is on, and US manufacturers need to move now.

Advances in robotics technology have paved the way for a new breed of robot that delivers entirely new ways of performing the 90% of physical tasks that have been outside the reach of traditional robots.

Great conversation with manufacturing giant GE’s Roland Menassa about robots and people in manufacturing.

Looking at the robots vs humans jobs through the lens of manufacturing…

Manufacturing is a serious business. Day after day, there are hard problems to solve requiring innovative technologies, and new and better ways to drive value. At Rethink Robotics we introduced Sawyer, a serious robot. Because in the end, we will succeed if – and only if – our customers succeed.

This year’s Industry Week Best Plants conference was filled with people excited to be in manufacturing. It’s a great time to be in the business of bringing real-world products to the lives of all us. The technology fueling the evolution – including robots – is here and making a meaningful difference today.

Talking about the value of smart, collaborative robots: A conversation with John Dulchinos of Jabil.

Proud to be part of Jabil’s Blue Sky Center, Rethink Robotics is changing how robots are built, what they can do and how people can work with them – all in pursuit of the blue sky of innovation.

Robots that can do more than one task and change tasks seamlessly will change manufacturing forever.

Productivity is lost when manufacturing workers stand idle in front of machines waiting until equipment is ready. Robots are now changing the way we automate machine tending.

A new breed of smart, collaborative robots are coming online that approach variability in different way.

Robots using touch to perform tasks in manufacturing.

Smart, collaborative robots are going to profoundly change how manufacturing gets done.

Packaging presents major challenges for the CPG industry. Smart, collaborative robots help get the job done.

Robots re/make the future of work.

We have a ways to go before robots tackle work like humans do.

What will the next generation of workers be looking for when it comes to robots? Robots that are more human-like than less….

Can Big Data make a difference in manufacturing? I think so….

Robots vs. humans? Let’s move the needle on this tired dialogue to Robots AND humans….

The next generation shows the way when it comes to integrating robots…lead on I say….

Now that robots are safe (err, freed from cages), what does it mean that we’ll be working side-by-side?

Now that robots are safe (err, freed from cages), what does it mean that we’ll be working side-by-side?

Manufacturing’s changed a lot in the past 20 years; has automation kept up? It’s time to rethink what it means to automate….

Chasing low-cost labor has created fragile supply chains. Trainable, safe and cost-effective robots can make a difference in supply chain risk….