AUTOMATION
Robots in the time of Covid-19 The contagion of Covid-19 has swept through the lives of people across the globe, disrupted all industries and brought the world’s economy to a grinding halt.
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s the world moves towards a different tomorrow, future-orientated solutions won’t merely be an option for industries but an absolute necessity. Robotics and automation technology are already playing a pivotal role in the health sector but they’re about to extend further into other industries faster than anyone could have predicted. “The automotive industry has always been closely tied to robotics, and this is unlikely to change,” says Kurt Rosenberg, Managing Director of Yaskawa Southern Africa. “The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and food markets, however, should see an increase and acceptance in the usage of robots and automation technologies. This is largely due to the ‘contact’ element, as health and safety officers will be even more concerned about cleanliness, sanitisation and hygiene in manufacturing processes, handling and distribution of goods, and factories.”
Futureproof
Considering Covid-19 can survive on certain surfaces, measures will need to be put in place to futureproof businesses from any potential outbreaks. And this is where robotics could come in to reduce contact and cross-contamination.” While many industries have instituted stringent hygiene standards and practices for operations, they are also acutely aware of the human element. All it takes is one lapse and the risk of infection is catastrophic. There have already been several high-profile instances where essential services, such as hospitals and factories, have had to temporarily shut their doors because their staff have been infected by the virus.
Mechatronics
Back in the seventies, Yaskawa proposed the innovative concept of an unmanned factory termed “Mechatronics”. Since then, the concept has evolved into i³-Mechatronics, featuring further advancements and implementations of automation through
All it takes is one lapse and the risk of infection is catastrophic
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THE SOUTH AFRICAN MECHANICAL ENGINEER
VOL 70 May/June 2020
