As the world reopens, the accelerated pace of automation will likely not only pick back up in the United States – it could begin to move even faster.
Robots, which have long filled a niche in America in taking on more complex tasks, may actually begin to be leveraged more often for the dull, dirty and dangerous. Robots have always been capable of performing simple, previously manual tasks more consistently and effectively than humans, but these jobs will need to return to the forefront for America to catch back up in the world of manufacturing and allow humans to focus on innovating.
Dan Allford, President of ARC Specialties, said the pandemic and the ensuing shutdown has allowed companies across the U.S. to see that certain strategic items really should be made at home.
That includes medical supplies, green energy solutions, such as solar power and wind energy equipment, food, automobiles, and more.
“To effectively and efficiently manufacture this stuff, you need robots,” Allford said. “Robots are just another labor-saving device. In America, if we want to maintain the standard of living that we’ve grown to enjoy, we must be more efficient than the lower-wage economies of the world.
“And one way to do that is with machines and robots.”
