Cutting a path to automation

The perception that robots are coming to steal our jobs is all too often dominating the headlines, and can lead to a misunderstanding of the benefits that industries and businesses are enjoying as a result of automation. Yet, beyond these stories, many professionals, especially in the manufacturing sector, are embracing robotic automation.

Recent research conducted by The Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) found that 63% of manufacturing professionals have never experienced job losses as a result of automation. What is more, over three-quarters of manufacturers believe more should be done to promote the benefits of robotics and automation. There is clearly an appetite for the technology within the industry, so how exactly does it make a difference?

Implementing automation in aerospace manufacturing is no recent phenomenon. Since 2005, an artificial neural network has been used to adjust rotor blades on Airbus helicopters, making the adjustment of rotor blades a faster and more accurate process. Wider implementation is required however. The high demand for aircraft has created a backlog and has forced manufacturers to find more efficient, reliable ways of meeting targets. Yet, automation does not just take the form of physical robots on the manufacturing front line. Deploying technologies such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in the back office can also enable manufacturers to bring a multitude of benefits to the aerospace industry.

The sheer demand for aircraft means that every aspect of manufacturing needs to work seamlessly and the deployment of software robots can speed up existing processes. One single robot can automate the repetitive work of 3-5 humans, enabling manufacturers to focus on more complex tasks. In many cases, through enhanced cognitive capabilities, such robots can act unattended and thus operate on a 24/7 basis. For example, the process of managing suppliers and vendors is one that manufacturers sink an enormous amount of time into. Tasks such as validating VAT and vendor location require significant manual data entry which often goes hand-in-hand with human errors. Automating the data processing not only solves the issue with inaccurate data entry, it frees up time for skilled staff to focus on more valuable tasks.

In addition, robotic automation also brings significant financial benefits to businesses. Whereas organisations have traditionally looked to offshoring to handle such repetitive tasks, RPA gives them the opportunity to complete the work internally, at a fraction of the cost. Whether AI and robotics are used to monitor cloud formations and weather patterns, or automate vendor management, the technology allows businesses to rethink the ways in which they operate. The positive impact on existing employees is pivotal to this change.

Human interaction is going to remain an important aspect of aerospace manufacturing but the fact is, people can work together with robots to improve both their output and the quality of their working lives.

Implementing automation in the back office does not just benefit the manufacturer as a business, but critically, it bears the burden of the mundane, manual tasks that large numbers of professionals spend so much time undertaking. Rather than taking jobs, automation and robotics are working hand-in-hand with people, resulting in professionals being able to spend more time focusing on more strategic work, such as data analytics, to find new ways of delivering better results for customers. This is not just more valuable to the company in question, it can play a big role in keeping employees engaged and motivated at work.

For these reasons, robotics should not be something that is feared but, as many manufacturing professionals have pointed out, should be embraced. If organisations take the opportunity on offer, they can revolutionise their industry.

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