Designers should consider the benefits of increased efficiency and consistency when using robots in production and be able to explore the latest advances in technology to ensure the optimum manufacturing process is used. However, a good designer will also understand their responsibility to consider the moral and ethical issues surrounding increased use of automation, and the historical impact of lost jobs.

• Primary characteristics of robots: work envelope and load capacity

• Single-task robots

• Multi-task robots

• Teams of robots

• Machine to machine (M2M)

• Advantages and disadvantages of using robotic systems in production

• Consider first, second, and third generation robots

The introduction of robots to an assembly line has had a major impact on the labour force, often making skilled workers redundant in favour of a technician who can maintain and equip a large number of robots.