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Humans And Robots

The Human Equation

March 9, 2020
Toyota tried to fully automate its Tahara factory; today, the famous plant still employs plenty of workers.

Part of the series 2070: A Manufacturing Odyssey

For all the promises that AI and advanced automation could deliver in the next 50 years, humans will still very much be part of the production process. Over four decades ago, Toyota tried to fully automate its Tahara plant; today, the famous plant still employs plenty of human workers.

In the year 2070, the interface and connection between robots and humans will be unimaginably different from how it is now, but at the end of the day machines and automation speak in ones and zeros, and humans don't. There will always be a need for humans and our unique ability to reason, be creative, and apply judgment in the industrial sector, while being inextricably connected to the machines working for us. 

Whittle is CEO, Parsable.

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