Introducing Automation into production process and all other process are widespread acceptance by most part of the world due to its enormous benefits. Although Automated machines are not appropriate for implementation of almost every context or environment. Thus Advantages and disadvantages of Automation are nowadays hot topic for discussion all over the world. Hence acknowledge both the advantages and disadvantages of Automation before making a decision.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Automation —
give some insight into the aspects that should be considered before implementing Automation.
Advantages Of Automation
1)Efficiency
Intelligent automation will be helpful for human workers, as it will do away with usual, most time-consuming monotonous, repetitive,tiresome workload from their daily pace and freeing up employee’s time for more important undertakings and allow them to focus on more intelligence-driven, engaging task and projects. moreover, work will be finished faster, more robustly and correctly. Computers and machines also tend to be more precise in their work, unless a technical error break workflow.
2)Enhanced Productivity
Robotics and machine learning have increase productivity and improved the economies of many nations. The internet of things is promoted by high-speed networks and remote sensors to connect people and businesses. Automation results in boost productivity and production because it increases the speed of production, eliminates production obstruction. Automation increases production capacity as machines can be set to work 24/7 fixed. A robot has the ability to work at a constant speed, unattended, 24/7. Automated machines do not have breaks, sick leave or holidays, and therefore lead to a production increase of 140%+. Automated machinery can also typically run faster and produce more accurately made products with fewer defects.
3)Improved and Uniform Quality
The quality of production is greatly improved because the entire production process, beginning with raw materials and ending with end products, is handled by machines .There is consistency in the quality of the products.
4)Reduced Cost or Lower Operating Costs
Total cost per unit of output is reduced as a result of Automation. The manufacturing cost is reduced by 34 percent per unit after automation. It is mainly due to the in effect displacement of labour. Robots can perform the work of three to five people, depending on the task. In addition to savings on the cost of labour with energy savings also due to lower heating needs in automated process. Robots furnish processes and increase accuracy promotes minimal material waste for operation.
5)Fewer Accidents
Automation results in a implicit elimination of labour and therefore reduced number of accidents.
6)Better Production Control
Automation results in better control of the speed and flow of production as a result of extremely machine-driven sequencing.
7)Reliability and Consistent Output
Automating tasks eliminate the chance of human error. With automation businesses can expect accurate and consistent turnout.
8)Lower Production Costs
Automation can ultimately lower production costs for businesses because the process involve only periodic instructions and repairs cost where as free from persist costs.
9)Increased Safety
Automation removes the risks link with many fatal jobs, such as lifting heavy weights and working with dangerous chemicals. It keep people away from dangerous task to decrease workplace injuries.
10) Reduction in Production Time
Automation certainly speeds up the production time since no thinking is required by the machine.
11) Increased in Accuracy
Automated machine accuracy and repeatability compared to an employee is far better.
12)Increased Safety
Automated machine keeps workers away from dangerous tasks and make the work environment safer.
13)Improved Working Environment
With the use of automation it is possible to improve the working conditions and safety within production area. Automation can reduce health and safety risks.
14)Increased Competitiveness
Automation set up more competitive because as formulation process is automated, human error is reduced, product quality more steady, and cost per part goes down due to increased production speeds.
15)Reduce Labour Crisis
Automation can eliminate the need of finding labour for ordinary, repetitive tasks .
16)Reduced factory Lead Times
Automation can keep process in-house, improve process control and undoubtedly reduce lead times as to contract out or going overseas.
17)The Creation of Newer Jobs
Evolution of AI, generate various new AI-related jobs pertaining to its development and expansion.
In short Advantages commonly attributed to automation include higher production rates and increased productivity, more efficient use of materials, better product quality, improved safety, shorter workweeks for labour, and reduced factory lead times.Automation can reduce numbers of day-to-day staff required in a business, saving money and time-consuming hiring procedures.Automation can help a business remain competitive and innovative within its field.
Advantages and disadvantages of Automation are limitless, we only focus on some general issue.
Disadvantages of Automation
1) Heavy Capital Investment
Automated equipment include the high capital expenditure required to invest in automation i.e. millions of dollars to design, fabricate, and install, a higher level of maintenance needed than with a manually operated machine, and a generally lower degree of flexibility in terms of the possible products as compared with a manual system.
2)Worker Displacement
Robots and other technologies are replacing workers in every field whether it is concerned to manufacturing, teaching, banking, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, logistics and security sectors, IT etc.
The worker whose job has been taken over by a machine undergoes a period of emotional stress. In addition to displacement from work, the worker may be displaced geographically. In order to find other work, an individual may have to relocate hence get stressed.
Also there are future risks that automation technology will finally put down community instead of help them.
3)Loss of Jobs
The biggest consequence of automating jobs is the unemployment of workforce. Initiation of driver-less metros in Delhi, cutback in big IT companies like Cognizant, Infosys, and Tech Mahindra etc clearly showing the impact of automation in the country.
Further, the impact will differ based on industries, geographies, and analytical groups. Men, youth, and diminished groups will be the most afflicted. Besides losing an existing job, automation also creates challenges for individuals in the changeover to new jobs, mainly when the skill required of new jobs are diverse from those of the old jobs.
Example of Trucking industry, 27 percent of professional CDL drivers belief their job might be at risk in the next five years because of the looming risk of self driving vehicles. It is estimated that 1.7 million drivers could eventually lose their jobs due to autonomous vehicles. This is about just one small industry,the risk of people losing their jobs is enormous.
4) Impact on Physical Handwriting
The blooming of virtual assistants like Apple Siri, Google Assistant that can translate the verbal instructions into written word will further weaken the physical handwriting practice. This may impact the structure of hand like less flexible, thinner to support typing and consequently meta-carpel and carpel joints cope with serious changes.
5)Strain on the Eyes
Social media apps, devices, digital displays or the web exerting enormous strain on the eyes.With so much to read and consume, the shape of our eyes may get enlarged or may be more bulged. In fact, the underlying neuron system powering the vision may undergo subtle changes.
The scientists, who have studied the impact of electromagnetic waves on human eye, say that it lead to early cataract in lens apart from affecting retina, cornea and other ocular systems of the eye.
Scientists at the University of Toledo have discovered blue light emitted from technology has a potential to lead to “Macular Degeneration” — leading cause of vision loss. At present, Macular Degeneration is considered an incurable eye disease.
6) Impact on Spinal Cord and Neck
With the arrival of smartphone the average time we are investing on it is approximately three hours per day. We are repeatedly strain our necks for longer periods of time, hence it is inclined almost maximum time. Right Now most of things can be keep under observation or searched on phone, ultimately reducing physical operation of our body.
For example, monitor employees working remotely on phone using the GPS and camera, go away the need for physically moving. This is not only kick in neck to round the clock gobble up(absorb everything instantly )the data that’s being ejected on smartphone screens but also increasing seating time, making us more inactive than ever.
Seating continuously for longer periods of time puts pressure on the spinal cord and the vertebrae. Hence all these lifestyle changes will have an anatomical impact on our spinal cord and neck in the time to come.
7) Impact the Memorability
Learning by rote will be vanished in future. This will impact the memorability of human beings. Learning mathematical tables or capitals of the countries have bring to an end. Focus is now on application skills, expertise in multiple subjects etc. The processing of memorise things will weaken during time, leading to complete reshaping of the neurons and brain functions that govern memory.
8)Demand Skill Updation
Automation will complete reshape of the job market, with a vast number of job categories being replaced by smart robots. In the same time, new job opportunities will emerge which will demand updation of skilled of the current workforce.
9)Maintenance
Automated machine required lots of upgrades and maintenance during operation like system upgrade, broken electronics etc.
10)Incompatible with Customization
Automated machines has lack of flexibility. It can carry out a specific minimal type of tasks which is programmed in it as compared people can do a variety of tasks. Automation imply redo the same process over and over again, often requiring evenness. Customization is restricted with some automated processes.
11)Dependency on Technology
Implementing most automation requires some degree of technical assistance, or at least familiarity. Full Dependency on Technology perhaps the greatest risk to come out of this is that companies and consumers alike may become more dependent on AI. Full dependency on one thing will always bring with it a slew of disadvantages. Although the disadvantages may not be clear now, it will eventually reveal itself as more jobs become automated.
12)More Pollution
Different types of machines operate using motor which may require gases or chemicals in order to operate. This can cause an increase in pollution in the workplace.
13)Increase in Unemployment
By increasing the amount of automation, there are less employees required causing high unemployment rates. Advantages and disadvantages of Automation at present impacted on employment,society,economy directly or indirectly.
14)Unpredictable Costs
There can be several unpredictable costs that may exceed the actual cost saved by the automation itself. Some of these costs could include research and development costs of automating a process, preventative maintenance costs, and the cost of training employees to operate automated machines.
15)Poor Customer Service
Similarly, automation can put your company at risk of providing poor customer service . It is not possible to negotiate with a computer.By removing people from a process, a business can lose the human touch. If the function that has become automated deals with people directly, this could alienate the customer.
Without picking sides of any one,this article discussed both the advantages and disadvantages of Automation in detail, and try to compiled some of the strongest pros and cons of automation. Hence it depend on us how we approach towards it.
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