Human-Machine Teams

Though robotics are being used in operations every day, from simple conveyance systems to mobile robots allowing for more frequent product quality checks, recent data shows 66% of tasks in the factory are still performed by humans.  

At Zero100, we believe that the co-existence of humans and machines isn’t a zero-sum game, and, in fact, the strategic addition of technology and robotics can maximize employee output while also fundamentally making work better. To accomplish this and build toward true human-machine teams, companies must: 

• Put people at the center of a robotics strategy 
• Redesign processes to achieve a specific outcome (instead of mechanizing existing tasks) 
• Choose the right technology for the job 

This report focuses in on the make and move segments of The Loop, zooming in on optimizing physical operations within manufacturing and warehousing. 

People at the Center 

We know that automation without people is a recipe for failure, yet early excitement about new tech often eclipses the change management needed to ensure effective adoption. Fear of losing jobs to robots coupled with concerns about having the right skills for the job can lead to disaster. Creating an automation strategy that is people-centric enables leaders to focus on ensuring the human elements of the human-machine team are not just prepared for the journey but engaged and excited. 

Part of this strategy involves making sure employees have the right skills for the job. Unilever offers an example of upskilling existing workforces to this end, shifting workforce roles toward problem-solving and improvement. It identified 65 future manufacturing and 45 engineering skills, including data visualization and robotic maintenance, and the Robotics and Automation Learning Programme equips teams in China and Dubai factories with essential digital skills, leveraging gamification and remote operation technologies. 

Design Processes for Specific Outcomes 

Historically, investment in process automation has been driven by two factors: increased output and decreased labor costs. But today’s supply chain is evolving at breakneck speed to keep up with changing customer demand. Ask yourself how manufacturing and logistics can shift from a cost center to a competitive advantage, able to delight customers and exceed their expectations such as product quality, availability as well as speed of delivery. 

As you step back to redesign operations for the future of automation, learn from and incorporate the tried and tested principles that have been used in the world of product design and development for decades.  

Choose the Right Tech  

Instead of jumping straight into the world of shiny humanoid robotics, consider opting for standard robotic processes that have long histories of reliability and can be scaled according to need. In fact, when it comes to reliability and maintenance, the simplest solution is often the best, and it is more important to match up the desired outcome of a process to the right technology than it is to find the latest high-complexity bot. 

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