human robot collaboration

Robots to Create up to 1.5 Million Jobs by 2016

Aug. 1, 2013
Industry speakers make the case for robotic job creation to the Congressional Robotics Caucus Advisory Committee.

Experts in robotics research and development gathered last week to make an important point about their technology: Robots are not a threat to employment. In fact, they will create thousands of jobs in the coming years in a variety of industries.

Seegrid’s Chief Operating Officer, Mitchell Weiss, was one of the presenters appearing before the Congressional Robotics Caucus Advisory Committee to discuss ways to harness robotic technology for job creation.

See Also: The New Age of Robotics

Weiss had a favorable overall impression of the meeting. “We got some direct, important questions,” he said. “It’s pretty clear that people are looking at robots for the obvious things, the defense applications and the manufacturing applications, but I don’t think they have an understanding of where the technology is taking us.”

In his presentation, Weiss explained that while the manufacturing efficiencies associated with robotics are important, the technology is really about operating efficiencies. He noted that robots enable growth in all kinds of industries that cannot be “sent offshore,” including space research and development, safety and security, and supply chain applications enabling same-day shipping.

The discussion included a detailed look at the economics of manufacturing, how robots reduce the impact of costs in areas where the U.S. is less competitive (such as taxes and cost of capital), how robots help the U.S. compete internationally and to reshore jobs.

Read the full story at mhlnews.com.

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