Man & Machine:

Are Robotics in Manufacturing for Everyone?

The disadvantages of robots

Industry giants like Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Boeing, and Tesla have attempted to incorporate high levels of

automation into their production lines. The goal of this action was to improve business processes. However,

these attempts have sometimes led to unforeseen automation challenges.

As well as a reversion to more manpower-reliant processes.

Mercedes-Benz Group withdrew Sindelfingen factory assembly line robots in 2016 due to difficulty meeting

rising demands for vehicle customization. Markus Schaefer, then head of production, remarked that humans

had to play a more significant part in industrial processes again. Especially to cater to the variety and pace of

changes.

Similarly, in 2014, Toyota phased out robotics in key production areas. Emphasising the need for skilled workers

to pinpoint problem areas. In both instances, the importance of flexibility and the balance between man and machine

were clear. In aerospace manufacturing, a major setback occurred in the summer of 2019 when Boeing's 777 fuselage

production automation system failed. Despite its new approach, the system took too long to set up and was inaccurate.

Which, eventually led Boeing to revert to more traditional methods involving human machinists.

Are Robots Right for Me?

Given these experiences, one might wonder: are robotics the right fit for my production line? The answer lies in

the complex balance between human workers and intelligent robots.

When looking into automation, it's important to first look at your current setup and figure out what needs to be done

for merging. Consider factors such as the need for product customisation, process flexibility, and production speed.

Robots can improve efficiency and precision greatly, but they can't replace the problem-solving and flexibility of human

workers. Most of the time, the best results come from mixing human knowledge with the efficiency of robots in a way

that is specific to the operation.

In conclusion, robots aren't always the solution for every manufacturing application. However, they can undoubtedly

play an essential role when employed judiciously and harmoniously. As we advance into the future, finding the right

blend of man and machine will remain a critical task.

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