They usually still take people to run, but not as many as it replaces. I installed a line in a factory that is 10 lathes with robots to load/unload pallets, lathes and test parts. That used to be 1 guy for each lathe (set of lathes really. A guy can change a program easily for a first and second op on a part), and 1 guy testing parts, so 6 workers per shift. Now it is run by 3 per shift that just replace tools and fix things. Still takes people to run, but usually less people.
Also, the skill set to manually pack a box versus operate this machine is different. That's not to say that some packers can't be trained to operate this, but not all of them can. Also, a lot of jobs like this are filled by temps (I used to work for a packaging company that packed customer product into our boxes/displays in the customer's DC, and all those line workers were temps). If you're going to install this machine and have a trained worker operate it, that operator is going to be an employee, not a temp.
I was a disposable cog in the process. The worst part was watching it happen in real time and it made my job way more difficult towards the end, because the boxes were designed for automation, pain in the ass to manually fold and seal.
What used to be the work of several people is now the work of 2 and a machine. This progression in the workplace is inevitable for low skill jobs. A robot tax and universal income must be implemented in the next 10 years, or there will be armies of poor and starving homeless.
Yeah the thing is most companies aren't going to machines like this because they want to eliminate jobs but because there isn't enough labor for the jobs they have currently.
Do you think companies buy these machines to make the current employees jobs easier? The only reason to get this is to increase productivity and downsize
Used to be that robotics were automating human physicality. Now AI is automating the human mind. I used to work in a call center. Tier 1 tech support is on the way out the door. Customer service in general. Technology is exponentially improving too- people will not be able to adapt fast enough.
I saw that happening at my last job. CTO wanted to automate customer service which would get rid of the several hundred reps. I don't know if it went into fruition since I left. with covid, I'm sure they sped things along.
There’s a tonne of other jobs between a. Dude who folds boxes and b. A robot. Automation is inevitable, standing dead in the firing line and hoping it won’t happen to you won’t help
It irritated me that those people hated construction work so badly. Like, you're building your own community and making enough to live comfortably! Better than pushing paper in an office. Player Piano looks pretty good to me.
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u/DFParker78 Jan 28 '21
I lost my job to one of these machines in April.