Tech Briefs Magazine - October 2023 - 21

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of navigation such as magnetic tape, QR codes, and traditional
2D SLAM that require additional infrastructure to function, Visual
SLAM AMRs are being embraced by companies to handle
an expanding range of production and distribution tasks.
Tech Briefs: The common perception is that robots will take
over jobs. What advice do you have for operations teams looking
to implement AMRs, especially related to enabling workers'
acceptance of automation in their operations?
Kevin Dumas: Robots do not take over jobs. In fact, our robots
substitute or supplement the " dull, dirty and dangerous "
tasks that people no longer want to perform. As for advice for
operations teams looking to implement AMRs, we recommend
that you: Communicate your automation plans in good time;
Make your employees part of the process is the best way to
smoothening your upcoming path to automation; Make the
process enjoyable for your employees. AMRs can take on the
most repetitive and heavy tasks, allowing employees to focus on
high-value activities. Help your employees see that the robots
are a tool for them to perform even better in their jobs. Let
your employees know that the future of work is not robots that
will replace them, but tools to help and work alongside people,
increasing efficiency and safety. For example, AMRs take over
manual tasks that are usually met with high absences due to
work injuries. Show your employees that the robots will help
them have better health and better job results.
Steve Branch: Long before AMRs arrive at the warehouse,
Locus works closely with the on-site warehouse team on change
management. For successful AMR integration, it's important to
communicate with employees about the role of automation as
a resource that helps improve productivity while also making
the job itself easier. Rather than replacing jobs, AMRs are a tool
that enhances the worker's job by doing the repetitive, physically
demanding tasks. AMRs free up workers' time to focus on
more strategic, rewarding tasks. In addition, it increases worker
retention and improves the overall workplace quality.
Jay Judkowitz: This is simply not the case today and won't be
for a long time if ever. Right now, there are 2 million manufacturing
jobs in North America that are going unfilled. Robots
can fill those jobs. And, where a driver is replaced, our customers
are not laying that person off. They are training those
people to do more skilled, more fulfilling, and higher paying
work. Plus, all of the other workers who work near material handling
but are not material handlers themselves find that they
now have a safer, more injury-free environment which leads to
greater comfort and job satisfaction.
Ed Volcic: It is worth differentiating between the effect of
automation on jobs on a macro level vs a micro level. While
the use of robots, including AMRs is on a fast rise year after
year, the unemployment keeps on plummeting. On a micro
level, on the other hand, a worker only considers the impact
of automation on their own job. Hence the perception that robots
will take over jobs is a concern among workers, and it is
important for teams to address this issue when implementing
AMRs. The following advice can help enable workers acceptance
of automation: Involve workers in the implementation
process; Communicate the benefits of AMRs; Highlight the
role of workers in the new system; Provide opportunities for
Tech Briefs, October 2023
www.techbriefs.com
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Tech Briefs Magazine - October 2023

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