An overview
Most people confuse the terms “robotics” and “automation” as one when, in reality, they are two entirely different technologies. Read on to understand the uses, types, and advantages of both technologies.
Automation
As the name suggests, automation is a process of automating the traditional ways of performing tasks, either with physical machines like driverless technology or mobile robots or using computer software to simplify the tasks that humans initially perform.
Automation has significantly improved human life. They are embedded in every industry to make complex tasks easier to perform, control and monitor. Automation is divided into three types, i.e., Fixed, Programmable, or Flexible.
Fixed Automation is also known as hard automation. It is used in cases where there are high-production needs and is fixed by equipment configuration.
Programmable Automation is a form of automation applied in the production of batches. For each batch, automation machines are reprogrammed and reset again and again. For each cycle, the code is programmed into the system to run in a specific way.
Flexible automation provides more flexibility to programmable automation. It enables a variety of materials or parts to be put into the production of batches, saving the ideal time in between. Commands or codes are given by human operators to the computer systems, allowing the system’s automatic low-level changes and identifying the processes.
There are some other forms of Automations such as:
- Integrated Automation
- Industrial Automation
- Computer-Aided Manufacturing
- Robotics Process Automation
- Cognitive Intelligence
- Conversational Automation.
Automation is further divided into Software Automation and Industrial Automation.
Software Automation
This type of automation is the technology that uses software, computer codes to carry out the tasks done by humans. All the software used to simplify business processes are examples of Software Automation such as HRMS, CRM, Marketing Software, Project Management Software.
Types of Software Automation are:
BPA is software automation that is used to streamline business processes. It involved integrating automation technologies that can completely restructure the whole business.
This is a type of Software Automation that is integrated into existing business functions and processes to make the tasks simpler and smoother. They are a form of Software Bots.
This is an extension of “Software Bots,” which enables intelligent automation in business processes.
Industrial Automation
Industrial Automation uses automation technologies or Robotics and some information technologies in the industrial sector to control different activities or processes that humans initially did. It is one step beyond mechanization in the industries. It allows automated operating machines to complete the processes.
Why is industrial automation essential in industries or Advantages of Industrial Automation?
- Increase in the product quality
- High productivity
- High flexibility & reliability
- High information accuracy
- Competitive advantages
- Time reduction
- Improved control.
Robotics
Robotics is the use of Robots of Robotic technology to perform the tasks or activities that humans otherwise did. Also, Robots do not always have to be in a physical form. There are many technologies, such as Chatbots, which are inbuilt in computer applications. Many people have this misconception that Robots are human look-alike machines, but it is not the case.
There are types of Robots too, such as:
As the name suggests, pre-programmed Robots are Robotic Machines that carry out one single task repeatedly that is already programmed in their system. Examples of such technology are Robotic Arms and Factory Robots, which carry out a single task on repeat.
Humanoids are the human look alike Robots created to mimic the activities done by Humans like running, jumping, lifting or shifting objects, cleaning, and more. The most recognised Humanoid Robot is the Robotic Ambassador Sophia developed by Hanson Robotics based in Hong Kong, which can talk, sing, draw, and even show certain human emotions.
They are semi-autonomous technologies that are controlled manually though from a distance. This control is done either by wired systems or wireless technologies. For example, drones to detect any activity in a specific geography, i.e., surveillance, Medical Robot which helps doctors perform particular tasks, or Robots used underwater controlled by marines.
As independent means self-controlled or without control, these Autonomous Robots are operated without any human control. They make use of sensors to work in their free environment and complete their tasks. Some examples are lawn cutting droids, self-driven vacuum cleaners, shark tracking droids, etc.
Augmentative Robots
This is entirely a different field where the idea is to convert fiction into human reality. This is done to do what humans do while making the activities and tasks more accurate and faster. For example, robotic prosthetic limbs or 3D printing techniques of organs, e-Sights that aids blinds to see their environment, and many more upcoming technologies.
Do I Need Automation or Robotics?
Business owners and industrialists generally ask these questions. When are they conflicted to decide whether they need to invest in Automation or Robotics? Are they two the same or different? Which one of them is more beneficial for their business? For understanding these things, one needs to understand the meaning of Automation and Robotics in depth.
We have explained Automation and Robotics in detail. Now, let’s understand how to decide between the two.
To choose what you need for your business, you need to have the answers to the questions in the pointers below:
- What are the types of tasks or activities carried out in your Business? - Is it physical, or is it in virtual form?
- Do you want to automate a part of your business processes or your complete business?
- Is there a chance that Robots can carry out your business tasks easily?
After determining the above question, if your tasks or processes are physical, then go for software automation. And if it's virtual, industrial automation is your best choice. And if a robot can effectively carry out your tasks, then go for robotics as a solution, but if it is not the case, you can choose industrial automation solutions.
Role of robotics and automation In Industries
Robotics is one of the most up-and-coming technological advancements, which has now been integrated into many industries.
Robotics in Manufacturing
Robotics are used to increase productivity and efficiency in the manufacturing industry. They do not need to take breaks like humans and can work in any hazardous environment as well. Additionally, Robotic Arms are used to carry out efficient work in the manufacturing Industry.
Robotics in Healthcare
All the minimally invasive surgeries are now carried out by robotics in many countries, where the surgeons inside the body can control tiny devices. Other types of robotic applications in healthcare are Robotic assistants or Care Robots, Hospital Robots, and more.
Automation in Manufacturing
In the manufacturing industry, automation yields high reliability, safety, and accuracy of business processes. It effectively replaces human work and can function in hazardous situations such as heat, water, fire, etc. It saves time and effort and increases the production rate.
How to make the right automation/robotics decisions
In the age of the internet, we are more dependent on automated technologies and robotic machines to perform the tasks in our everyday lives.
These technologies are integrated with Artificial Intelligence which helps in making faster and accurate decisions for businesses. They have become an integral part of any industry by automating the smallest of tasks, which allows taking the biggest decisions for the growth of the businesses.
FAQs
Why is automation important in industries?
Automation has become essential, especially in the era of Industry 4.0, where almost every industry is reliant on automation technology. Automating industry operations is set to allow businesses to achieve their full potential. The focus on premium quality of products and services makes it very important for industries to be completely automated to gain that advantage. Automation is extremely vital to increase productivity, quality and to have an advantage in the competition of the business world as well as in globalization.
What are the challenges of automation?
Some of the major challenges in automation are:
- Large Investments involved to automate the processes
- Technology Acceptance
- Unemployment of the skilled or manual labour in the industries
- Resistance to adapt to new technologies
- New and upcoming market opportunities
What are the 3 advantages of Robots in the industry?
- Productivity: Robots ensure high productivity along with a high quality of work. Their error rate is quite low, and their efficiency much higher. They reduce time and also increase the speed of work. The best example of this is the use of Robotic Arms in companies.
- High Safety: Robots save on the need for humans to work in risky conditions or hazardous environments such as tight spaces, reduced lighting, chemically exposed areas, and more. As complex and dangerous tasks are performed by these robots, it provides safety to the workers.
- Accuracy: Robots can carry out precision-based tasks without the risk of errors. For example, in the medical Industry, Robotics is used to perform minimally invasive surgery where the patients are operated on by robotic technologies which the doctors control. Likewise, in the military, Robotic drones help in pinpointing accurate locations.
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