Research conducted among employees in Japan and the United States found that 76 and 63 percent, respectively, welcome AI services such as ChatGPT in the workplace to help them make the right decision at work. However, 80 percent of those surveyed in both countries want such digital tools to be immediately recognized as ‘machines’.

At the end of June, Automatica, the International Trade Fair for Automation and Robotics, will be held in Munich. (Photo: Messe München)

Commissioned by the organization behind the research Automatic, the Automation and Robotics International Trade Show, among 1,000 employees in both the United States and Japan. Automatica will be held in Munich from June 27 to 30.

Future workplace

“Robotics and artificial intelligence software like ChatGBT are rapidly shaping the workplace of the future. If these technologies are used correctly, we can improve workplaces enormously,” said Patrick Schwarzkopf, member of the Automation Advisory Board at Messe München in Germany.
According to the International Federation of Robotics, Japan has 399 robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers. Demand for industrial robots is strongly driven by global semiconductor shortages. A chronic shortage of staff is also a trigger.
In the US, the automotive industry is a driving force for robotization and automation. The government is pursuing a voluntary target of 50 percent market share in electric vehicle sales by 2030. Most manufacturers are currently investing in industrial robotics and joint applications to master the transition to final assembly and finishing operations. However, about 20 percent of workers are seriously concerned about using robots in a factory because workers need special training to use them.

Man’s command

In both countries they see the benefits of robotization and automation. In Japan, 70 percent of people think robots will help manufacturers deal with factory worker shortages. Majorities accept the benefits that smart machines can provide: 77 percent (US 70%) welcome robots in a factory, lifting heavy loads or carrying out hazardous tasks involving hazardous materials such as chemicals.
But as machines and humans work more closely together, 81 percent in both the U.S. and Japan favor a human-in-command approach. 81 percent said digital technology should leave control to humans. It is acceptable Good work charter The European Robotics Industry, A Guide to Introducing Robotics and Automation in a Human-Centred Approach.”

Active management

“We need to actively manage the transition to better machine-human collaboration, and make sure humans don’t get left behind,” says Patrick Schwarzkopf. How traditional manufacturing is changing and how the workplace of the future will evolve is one of the main topics at Automatica 2023.