Vive le Robot Revolution

Innovation Revolution

Vive le Robot Revolution

Source: dedebold/Flickr

by Alison Diana | InternetEvolution

Once a staple of sci-fi flicks, robots are part of everyday life -- and their roles are extending as scientists use smaller, more flexible technologies to create new automated devices.

Manufacturers are investing in more sophisticated robots to reduce manual tasks. Logistics and tech companies are exploring ways to speed-up shipping and eliminate costly fuel and human expenses. And researchers are discovering brand new ways to explore the world, improve profits, and boost efficiencies.

In the first nine months of 2013, North American robotics shipments soared to $1.1 billion, according to the Robotics Industries Association. That represents 17,645 robots, up 14.6% in units and 9% in dollars from the same period in 2012, the industry group said.

So where are these robots going?

Manufacturing and logistics. Apple plans to spend $10.5 billion on manufacturing processes and corporate facilities in 2014, according to its 10-k form. A good chunk of that money is going toward assembly robots, wrote Bloomberg. By using robotics to build products like its new Mac Pro, Apple can bring more manufacturing to the United States, according to the publication.

The computer maker is using robots akin to those deployed by automakers, Bloomberg wrote. For its part, Google is working on a "moonshot" project headed by Andy Rubin, the person behind the company's Android operating system, reported the New York Times today. Google has acquired seven technology companies over the past six months or so, initially hoping to target manufacturing companies that continue to rely on manual labor for tasks such as electronics assembly, the paper said.

As the Editor of ThinkerNet, Alison Diana works with contributors to bring fresh perspective to the IE community. Before joining Internet Evolution, Alison was editor in chief of 21st Century IT, another DeusM site.

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