Robot Sales SURGE – Should American Workers Be Worried?
(ConservativeHub.com) – Nearly everything costs more than it used to these days, from raw materials to labor. Across various industries, businesses face a shortage of skilled and unskilled laborers. As a result, many are turning to robots to help fill the gap and curb expenses amid uncontrolled inflation.
Robot Sales Surge in 2022
According to Association for Advancing Automation (A3) data reported by Fox News, the first quarter of 2021 saw the sale of 6,400 robots in the United States, totaling $346 million. However, this year, the same period saw sales of over 9,000 robots, totaling $544 million. Neil Saunders, the Managing Director of GlobalData Retail, shared more about this on Twitter:
🇺🇸 US robot orders surge 40% as labor shortages, inflation persist | Fox Business https://t.co/IvdJhxIzw2
— Neil Saunders (@NeilRetail) June 1, 2022
Robots work on assembly lines, as delivery drones, and even as maintenance workers. Automation company Boston Dynamics shared one of its latest projects:
Companies are turning to automation to relieve the labor shortage. Even though many companies would prefer to hire human workers, there are simply not enough qualified candidates willing to work for the wages companies can provide right now, making mechanized workers the go-to choice.
“It’s My Pleasure”…to Send a Robot
Chick-fil-A’s customers know the brand for its over-the-top service, with employees delightedly relaying that it would be “their pleasure” to serve you. But, the beloved chicken chain is now turning to automatons for some aspects of their experience. On Tuesday, May 31, the chain announced it would use autonomous delivery robots to deliver its sandwiches in certain areas throughout Texas, California, and Florida.
For instance, these robots now drive around the city of Austin, Texas, navigating city streets and busy sidewalks to deliver still-warm sandwiches to customers. Luke Steigmeyer, the operator at one Austin franchise, emphasized how most of his business is delivery, and these delivery bots are “instrumental” in getting his products into his customers’ hands.
What Other Industries Are Teaming Up With Robots?
While the food industry may be one of the more visible places to spot robots, it’s certainly not the only one turning to automation. According to A3, the robot unit sales for the metals industry increased 40% in the first quarter compared to the previous year, while the plastics and rubber industry saw a 29% jump. Other sectors with noticeable automation orders include electronics, food and consumer goods, and the pharmacological and biotech sectors.
While automatons bring a new sense of efficiency to the jobs, there’s always a debate about whether these automated beings actually do the jobs better. Employers will not have to worry about their workers showing up late to work with this new endeavor, but could there be a decrease in quality, problem-solving, entrepreneurial spirit, or drive in some industries with this change? Email us and let us know what you think!
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