The Rise of AI Robots

AI robots are one of the most visible manifestations of AI. Their use has increased substantially over the last few years and is expected to grow massively in the years to come. Today, AI robots continue to revolutionise various sectors, and their adoption in industries has risen by more than 40% compared to the last year.????

With advanced cognitive abilities, AI robots are significantly taking over tasks once reserved for humans in manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, retail, customer service, and other industries. However, though using AI robots has many advantages, they do pose some risks, threats, and challenges.????

Let’s delve deeper into the rise of AI robots, their impact on industries, their benefits, the possible challenges we may face with them, and their future outlook.?

??Impact of AI Robots on Industries????

AI robots are transforming a vast number of industries in the following ways:???

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??Manufacturing??????

AI robots are reshaping manufacturing through unprecedented efficiency, correctness, and flexibility.????

Today, they can:?

• Automate repetitive tasks such as welding, painting, and assembly with impeccable speed and exactitude.????

• Adapt to changes in product design and production volume, making manufacturing processes quick.???

• Boost quality control for augmented product quality (e.g. they can detect defects with acuteness, predict equipment failures, and reduce downtime).????

• Elevate workflows through efficient transportation of materials within a factory.????

• Track inventory levels with exactness and locate items in the store.????

• Identify bottlenecks and shortcomings in the production process.????

• Predict outcomes and optimise resource allocation.????

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Companies utilising AI robots in manufacturing include Tesla, Toyota, Samsung, and Siemens.?

????Healthcare????

AI robots are prevalent in healthcare. They can enhance surgical precision, patient care, medicine discovery, and sterilisation, and provide many additional benefits.????

In healthcare:????

• AI-powered surgical robots maximise accuracy, minimise invasion, and decrease patient recovery times.????
• AI algorithms can successfully guide surgeons during complicated procedures by analysing real-time medical images.????
• Their use in healthcare has expedited patient care and rehabilitation by enabling remote consultations, assisting elderly patients with their day-to-day activities, and aiding in patient recovery through guided exercises.????
• AI robots transport medical supplies and medications efficiently within the hospitals.???
• The robots are used for disinfecting patient rooms.????

Examples of AI robots in healthcare:????

Da Vinci Surgical System (a prominently used AI robot in healthcare for minimally invasive surgery).?

???Retail????

AI robots now do everything in retail - From task automation to rationalising operations, offering personalised recommendations, order fulfilment, and more, there isn’t anything they can’t do!??

Here’s a brief look at their use in retail.?

• Customer assistance: They provide product information, guide shoppers, take customer queries, and offer personalised suggestions.????
• Memorable shopping experiences: AI robots make shopping interactive and engaging.???
• Keep the inventories in check: The robots keep the inventories in check by monitoring inventory levels and fulfilling orders.????
• Daily activities, theft deterrence: AI robots can handle routine cleaning, detect suspicious activity, and deter theft.????

The most famous example of AI robots in retail is Amazon Go.???

Benefits of AI Robots????

Accelerated Business Productivity??????

AI robots fortify business success by performing mundane tasks, enabling humans to focus on the more strategic ones. They can supercharge productivity by identifying inefficiencies in the production process. Using robots also significantly reduces waste and increases output.????

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Reduced Costs????

Industries that have used or are using AI robots have noted a noticeable decrease in their total business costs due to task automation and optimisation, and experienced reduced labour costs, material waste, and energy consumption.???

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Enhanced Workplace Safety??????

AI robots enhance workplace safety by performing dangerous tasks, potentially protecting workers from injury. They can predict possible equipment failures to prevent accidents and downtime. At the same time, since AI robots can handle physically demanding tasks, they reduce muscular injuries among workers.????

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More Steadfast Decision-Making????

Artificial intelligence (AI) robots analyse large amounts of data quickly and without error, identifying critical patterns and trends humans may miss, leading to sounder decision-making. Additionally, the robots can predict future outcomes and provide real-time information on market trends, production processes, and customer behaviour for more informed and speedy decisions.????

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On-Target and Efficient???

Their unmatched meticulousness and expediency set them apart!????

AI robots can perform tasks more precisely and consistently, reducing errors and defects. They can also execute tasks faster than humans, increasing overall productivity. Their ability to strengthen overall business proficiency by streamlining energy, labour, and materials sets them apart.?

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Challenges????

??Job Displacement????

AI robots now perform tasks that humans previously did, causing job losses in various industries.

??Technological Challenges????

Technological challenges like the need for substantial computational power for the development of specific AI systems and the unpredictability of some systems pose serious threats.????

??Privacy Concerns????

Many privacy concerns are associated with AI robots because they collect and process large amounts of data for AI training.???

??Reliability

Some AI systems can malfunction, leading to potential injuries and accidents. Plus, being connected to networks, they are vulnerable to attacks.?

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??High Implementation Costs????

Their successful integration may require ongoing adaptation and maintenance, and implementation can be expensive.??

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??Social Inequalities

The public may or may not accept AI robots.????

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Future Outlook????

AI robots will continue to reinvent industries and human lives. In the coming years, they may become increasingly intelligent and possess refined and advanced physical capabilities.?

While more innovative applications of AI robots will emerge in the future, it will be best to use a collaborative approach where humans and robots work together to minimise their negative impact. In addition, to ensure ethical use, policymakers must establish guidelines.????

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What do you think of AI robots, and how are they impacting your industry? Let us know in the comments below.

Amnah from Box