Over recent years, the threat of robots replacing humans in the workplace has become less of a Sci-Fi fantasy and more of a looming reality. But (fortunately for us humans) this shift towards automation hasn’t resembled scenes from George Orwell’s 1984 or The Terminator. Far from it. Instead, we’re seeing how technology – from machines to intelligent software – can help us be more productive and efficient. In some cases, automation is even protecting humans from dangerous (or worse, mundane) jobs.
So, how are big and small businesses across industries and around the world using automation today? Here are just a few examples.
Self-Driving Vehicles
Self-driving, autonomous, driverless cars…whatever you want to call them, smart vehicles are making a big impact on the workplace.
The applications for self-driving vehicles are virtually limitless. Autonomous trucking in China is predicted to completely transform the transportation industry and, by some estimates, could put 16 million people out of a job. But, driverless trucks would also reduce the number of accidents had, minimise fuel costs and improve productivity.
Self-driving vehicles have a place inside factories too and start-ups and suppliers around the world are developing technology that is making the transportation of goods and materials easy and autonomous. How? Through onboard sensors, robotics cables, complex navigation systems and application programming interfaces.
3-D Printing
Like so many other innovations, 3-D printing has the potential to revolutionise manufacturing. Not only will it speed up production processes and create more consistent goods, it will also shorten the timeline for design and product development by allowing prototypes to be quickly (even simultaneously) created. What’s more, designers will have easy access to a large number of materials because 3-D printers can support plastics, polymers, ceramic, metals and even proteins and chemicals.
That means that you could print everything from a phone case to a vitamin, making 3-D printing a form of automation that could be onboarded by entrepreneurs involved in low-volume manufacturing, professionals in biomedicine, and engineers.
Marketing Tools
Yep, new marketing tools are a form of automation in the workplace, too. While e-mail marketing software and intelligent chatbots might not seem as blatantly innovative as a driverless car, these tools have completely revolutionised how brands and businesses interact with their customers. It’s also made the process of doing so much less time-consuming for employees.
Before software like Marketo was made available, companies had to manually draft, design and send (and re-send) e-mails to long lists of contacts. Now, marketers simply have to input the parameters of their e-mail marketing campaign, and it will run automatically. For example, it could be programmed to send a follow-up e-mail to recipients who opened the first introductory e-mail.
Likewise, chatbots programmed to respond to enquiries automatically are making it easier for businesses to deliver quick, helpful customer service while at the same time reducing the amount of time and money spent.
Data Processing
Gathering and processing data is the best way to gain business intelligence, so it only makes sense to automate the process. It’s not surprising then that we’re seeing nearly every industry, from finance to transport, using automation in data processing. We’re also seeing automation in every step of data processing, from entry through to storage.
So, how is automated data processing changing the workplace?
Automated hiring tools are making the process of landing a new job easier for both the applicant and HR through accelerated (and easier) pooling and screening processes. Automated sensors are transmitting information about train capacities through complex systems that adjust train times accordingly. Banks are using advanced, automated data capture software to keep your personal information secure. And the list goes on…
After looking at these four examples, it is fair to say that automation is taking over. But, the machines are working with and for us, not against us, meaning that innovation in this category will be exciting to watch and adopt.