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COMMENT: The future of automotive manufacturing will rely on sophisticated robotics

As the industry grapples with a rapidly changing market, building the future of mobility will rely on the flexibility and efficiency afforded by robots and cobots. By Jack Hunsley

Manufacturing is an inherently complex process. Be it a small city car or a long-haul heavy-duty truck, ensuring each and every component fits and operates correctly requires serious precision. For many years, these processes have relied on significant human input to operate. However, today robots are being increasingly recruited to lift this load.

Automation in factories is nothing new. Conveyor belts and robots have been mainstays of almost any manufacturing line for decades. However, just as how CASE development is changing on-road mobility, the arrival of the Internet of Things IoT, increased IT competency and connectivity are changing the production line.

As consumer demands sway from ICEs to EVs, automakers and suppliers must be ready to go with the flow and alter lines at short notice

Robots and cobots are beginning to branch out from their previously narrow use cases. While many robots in the past were large and clunky, today’s machines are nimble and intelligent. Some are even able to work alongside humans without the need for a cage.

In other areas of the factory, they are even becoming the dominant workforce as the industry strives for more efficient, environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. The use of robots in paint shops can help slash production costs and emissions, for example.

An Oxford Economics study released in June 2019 claimed that robots will replace 20 million factory jobs by 2030

Not all is plain sailing, however. While those interacting with robots on a daily basis sing their praises it is hard to ignore the outside perspective. As increasing numbers of manufacturing jobs bite the dust, the arrival of more robots provides an uncomfortable balance. Indeed, an Oxford Economics study released in June 2019 claimed that robots will replace 20 million factory jobs by 2030.

For those building tomorrow’s mobility future, however, there appears to be little alternative. As consumer demands sway from ICEs to EVs, automakers and suppliers must be ready to go with the flow and alter lines at short notice. In order to create a flexible, highly efficient manufacturing process, more responsibility is highly likely to move from human control and into the hands of computer-driven code.

Further insight into automotive manufacturing robotics from a range of industry stakeholders is now available in Automotive World’s latest special report, A fresh look at robots in vehicle manufacturing‘.

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