No longer the subject only of science fiction, robots have come a long way, and 2018 brings a brand new set of challenges and implications for robotics. We are big robotics fans, especially since we launched the Robotics Seed Fund for Britbots, so we like to keep our finger on the pulse about some of the hot PR topics, we should be covering or mentioning. Here we take a look at just a few of the top trends which you can expect to see this year in the field 2018.
1. Pay-as-you-go robotics
One of the more exciting trends in robotics this year may well be the introduction of robots which work on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ system. Innova Research predicts that within the next two years, we will see more commercial, service-based robots integrated into a variety of industries. These specific robots will function as “pay-as-you-go” workers, “according to the service type and the time taken by the service.” By 2020, this model will make up 30 percent of the global robotics market. This means that they will require a certain fee depending upon the level of the task and the time it will take to undertake. It’s similar to how you might hire a cleaner or a builder, but the worker will instead be a robot.
2. Government intervention within robotics
With robotics set to be introduced into the modern workplace, there’s going to be a need for some regulation and control over the cybernetic lifeforms as well as the organic ones. Governments will need to explore this area of robotics and ensure that an adequate working environment is created which allows for harmony between the machines and the race that created them.
3. Demand for talent-based roles
Looking more at the human side of robotics, it is expected that the number of jobs available for talented individuals will increase. Robots will need engineers and designers to help ensure that they’re programmed for interaction with people, and the need for specialists will rise. According to IDC’s Manufacturing Insights Worldwide Commercial Robotics program, by the year 2020, 35 percent of robotics field jobs will be unfilled as the demand for talent increases, while median salaries in these positions will increase by 60 percent. This will, of course, have the knock-on effect of creating a rise in the average salary as well. This demand will hopefully reach into schools where AI-based services, such as the one offered by Magpie Education, will help STEM teachers to teach more computer science and robotics to children.
4. More collaboration robots
One thing which we can expect to see the robotics world is the rise of the robots which work together with the human workers in a workplace. Instead of having a team of robots completely take over a department, the modern workplace can expect to see teams of human and mechanical workers cooperating to advance an organisation. These cobots include virtual AI bots, such as British firm Botskill’s chatbot that mimics human conversation using artificial intelligence.
5. Cheaper electronics components will drive down robot costs
The growing use of general electronics components, such as MEMS sensors and machine vision systems, in consumer electronic devices will drive down their prices due to the economies of scale. Lower component prices will further drive down the costs of robots in the next few years, which will have positive influence on the adoption of robots both in the industry and the service robot sectors.
These are just the tip of the iceberg, others include robot tax, sex robots, robots stealing our jobs and more. With technology progressing and moving ahead in big ways, it is not uncommon to find robotics creeping into every element of the corporate world. While they’re not entirely replacing the human populace just yet, there is potential for your workplace to include a robot within it, as an aid during the particularly busy times.
If you want to talk to us about robotics PR, please get in touch.
