Each period in history can be associated with an engineering innovation that revolutionised the way humans live their lives; in the 15th century, it was Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press, an example of mechanical engineering that would change how humans would communicate and disperse information for centuries to come. In 1801, the first passenger-carrying steam locomotive was invented, which transformed how people across the world would travel until personal automotives would become mainstream a century later. 

Arguably, one of the most distinctive trends from the current period in history is the development of software and information technology, and included in this is the development of robotics and automation. 

Robotics and automation can be used for a wide range of applications in manufacturing, including welding, assembly, shipping, handling raw materials, and product packing. The 2022 McKinsey Global Industrial Robotics Survey found that industrial companies are set to spend heavily on robotics and automation in the coming years. In this blog, we will look at the impact of robotics and automation on manufacturing, and examine the sectors where its impact is being especially felt. 

Agriculture

The agriculture industry has been at the forefront of technological advancements and engineering innovation throughout history, as growers and farmers try to do more with less to feed growing populations. Alongside growing populations, labour shortages and changes in weather are issues that are impacting the way farmers manage their produce. Robotics and automation are being employed to address many of these issues. Drone operations, autonomous tractors, robotic harvesters, automatic watering and seeding robots are all examples of automated technologies aimed at tackling the industry’s needs. Agricultural drones can help farmers monitor weather conditions, identify problem areas through infrared analysis, and even apply fertiliser and other treatments from above. Harvesting robots and autonomous tractors can quickly and efficiently handle and harvest produce in a way that avoids waste and gets to the consumer quicker. The result of these advancements is increased productivity with better produce for the customer, in a more cost-effective, sustainable way. 

Medical 

In 2023, the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries were two of the largest investors in robotics and automation. As populations grow and people live longer, those who are leading the direction in the medicine field are finding new ways to see patients quicker, control levels of infection, and improve people’s health. The use of robots in the pharmaceutical industry to handle and dispense tablets and liquids ensures a reduced risk of contamination with higher levels of production and accuracy. Robots have also been increasingly used during surgeries for routine, minimally invasive operations, giving doctors the capacity to care for patients with more specialist needs. Automation within the pharmaceutical supply chain has helped to streamline delivery, anticipate low supplies, and mitigate shortages. Robots have also been used to sanitise hospital rooms, which has helped to minimise instances of infection.

Aerospace

Manufacturing in aerospace is known for its complexity and the extremely high degrees of accuracy it requires. Airplanes are highly engineered machines, made up of large numbers of components and are time-consuming to manufacture. Robotics have been increasingly used to automate the physical tasks associated with manufacturing airplanes that are often laborious for workers, thereby making the process safer by taking people away from tasks that may be hazardous and cause injury. These robots can also be used for tasks which involve high levels of complexity and accuracy to enhance precision and thus quality. Process automation can also assist with predictive maintenance, thereby reducing errors. Robots are now able to gather data and develop intelligence about the processes it completes, allowing them to adapt quickly and manufacturers to make data-driven decisions.

Whilst robotics and automation is an exciting field and one that has progressed many sectors forward, many still hold a certain degree of hesitancy towards its use, such as a whether it will replace people’s jobs and if the investment is worth it for businesses. However, the rate of its growth does not look set to slow any time soon, with the improvements it can offer enticing more and more manufacturers. 

At McGreevy Engineering, we have over 40 years of experience in manufacturing and engineering, and have the versatility to respond to new trends and innovations, making us a leader in our field. As technology develops, our customers can be assured that our team will strive to find the most innovative, high-quality, cost effective solutions for their manufacturing needs. 

If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of our team about an upcoming project, contact us by calling: 028 9044 8755 or email: [email protected].