For decades, science fiction books and movies populated the twenty-first century with androids, flying cars, and other gadgets. While we may not live in the futuristic utopias or dystopias that novelists imagined, robotic technologies “live” among us. In what ways?
Industrial robot, manufacturing – illustrative photo. Image credit: Mech-Mind Robotics via Unsplash, free license
“Real” robots don’t resemble Data, R2-D2, and C-3PO. Some are massive machines in factories and warehouses that perform dangerous manufacturing tasks so human lives and limbs are not put at risk. Many-armed robotic surgical systems hover like giant arachnids over hospital beds. Disc-like robots vacuum floors, trim lawns, and deliver food to restaurant tables.
The field of robotics is vast, varied, and full of opportunity. Depending on your professional background, it may be time to pen a resignation letter to your current boss and make the leap to robotics.
Below, we’ll discuss some of the exciting and cutting-edge ways robotics is being put to the test in diverse industries—and what you need to be a part of it.
Robots All Around Us
A few years back, I was invited to attend the grand opening ceremonies at an LG appliance factory in the United States. As we toured the factory, guests were asked to keep their distance from colorful painted lines on the floor, each as wide as a roll of duct tape. The reason? Logistical robots used the paint strips as tracks on which to run, delivering parts to human workers.
Today, I have a robot in my home that uses cameras and pressure sensors to travel around, daily vacuuming ever-present pet hair from my floor. And a restaurant recently opened just down the street that allows guests to select items from a touchscreen which are then delivered to their table by a robot.
As mentioned above, robots perform many laborious and mundane tasks. The novelty of such interactions may fade as we become accustomed to robotic assistants, but career opportunities continue to increase. For example:
- Robotics technicians “teach” robots, programming them the proper moves to make. They also perform regular inspections, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repairs.
- Robotics engineers design and develop robots that can perform specific tasks in specific environments. They also test them for safety, functionality, and efficiency. Engineers may also act as robotics system integrators, installing and configuring robots to become a part of existing workflows.
- Robotics software developers write the code that governs the robot’s abilities.
Education and Experience: All You Need Are the Basics
Engineering positions require a strong background in mechanical, electrical, and computer sciences. It is also important that robotics career-seekers understand programming languages, including ROS (Robot Operating System), Python, and C++. Many of today’s robots also integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
Not every robotics career requires extensive schooling. Robotics technicians in manufacturing, for example, may be expected to have some relevant training, such as an associate’s degree in electrical maintenance. But on-the-job training makes up the majority of the needed educational experience.
New Healthcare Techniques on the Horizon
Robotic surgery has helped doctors work with more precision and less invasive procedures, but even more exciting advances are on the horizon.
Robotic prosthetics are affording increased freedom to individuals who have lost limbs. A brain-computer interface is also in development that allows people who are paralyzed to control computers and smart objects with their thoughts. For example, a person who is paralyzed could type by visualizing letters or control a robotic drone that is physically located miles away.
Nano-robotic medical technology is also in development. In 2023, National Geographic reported on a project to develop tiny robots that fold themselves like origami to fit inside a pill capsule. Once inside the body, they can be maneuvered with magnets and have been successfully used to safely remove swallowed button batteries. Other applications, such as patching internal wounds, are being researched.
If you have a background in medicine and a bent for robotics, you could be a part of projects that will save lives and increase the quality of life in the future.
Robots that Feed a Growing World
We mentioned a robot-waiter above, but food service and food manufacturing aren’t the only robotic applications. Agricultural robots are increasing food production by filling vital labor gaps. For example, Tortuga AgTech develops robots with the precision and dexterity to harvest delicate fruits and leafy greens. They can now do so with 98 percent accuracy—but they still need technicians to develop, program, and oversee the harvest
Harvest Automation’s HV-100 robot helps increase crop yields by spacing container plants in greenhouses, optimizing both plant health and use of square footage. The robot has been designed to operate in less-than-ideal conditions for mechanical devices—environments that are hot and humid for growing veggies. Harvest Automation was founded by former iRobot/Roomba employees.
Key Takeaways
Robotics is no longer a niche industry seeking to make science fiction fantasies a reality. A study by Grand View Research estimated that the projected global market size of the robotics industry will exceed $266 billion by 2030. This translates to many jobs across diverse industries. Different skill levels are required for robotics jobs, from engineering degrees to on-the-job training. This diversity makes careers in robotics accessible to everyone.