Executive PA Magazine Autumn 2022 Executive PA Magazine Autumn 2022 | Page 13

NEWS

BRIEFING Keep up to date with the latest news surrounding the role of the EA

Do you need a robot to assist ?

Whilst robots could never replace the irreplaceable presence , skills , knowledge and understanding of the EA , it is worth a high-level assistant being clued up on exactly where they could be entering the organisation – what automation opportunities and challenges lie ahead for your C-suite this year ? Last month The International Federation of Robotics ( IFR ) released the top five trends expected to shape robotics and automation around the globe in 2022 .
Robots adopted by new industries Segments relatively new to automation are rapidly adopting robots with consumer behaviour driving companies to address demand for personalisation of both products and delivery . The e-commerce revolution was driven by the pandemic and will continue to accelerate in 2022 . There are thousands of robots installed worldwide today that did not exist in this segment just five years ago .
Meanwhile , to address labour shortages , companies that previously turned away from automation will reconsider . Businesses that rely on service workers , such as retail and restaurants , and are unable to fill job openings are likely to invest in automation to meet patrons ’ needs say the IFR . Relatively new robotics customer industries like delivery and logistics , construction , agriculture and many more benefit from technologies advancing by the day .
Robots will be easier to use Implementing robots can be a complex task , but new generations of robots will be easier to use . This trend may seem simple , say the IFR , but offerings that focus on complete ecosystems are adding tremendous value by reducing the effort and the time to operation . Might this be the push your organisation needs to invest in automation ?
Robots will see humans upskilling Robot manufacturers like ABB , FANUC , KUKA , and YASKAWA all register between 10,000 and 30,000 participants in their robot classes across more than 30 countries every year . Robotics is changing job profiles of factory workers for the better . New training opportunities with robotics are a win-win strategy for companies and employees alike : Dull , dirty , and dangerous tasks get automated while people learn key skills for the industrial workplace of the future and increase their earning potential throughout their careers .
Robots secure production Trade tensions and post-pandemic issues are driving manufacturing back closer to the customer . Supply-chain issues lead companies to consider nearshoring with automation as a solution . One particularly revealing statistic from the US shows how automation is helping businesses get back to business – robot orders in America in the third quarter of 2021 were up 35 % over the same period in 2020 , according to the Association for Advancing Automation .
Robots support digital automation In 2022 and beyond , we see an emphasis on data as key enablers of future manufacturing . Data collected from intelligently automated processes will be analysed by producers to make more informed decisions . With a robot ’ s ability to share tasks and learn through AI , companies can also adopt intelligent automation more easily in new environments , from construction to food and beverage packaging facilities to healthcare labs . S

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Autumn Issue 2022 | Executive PA 13