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Are Robots Our Best Tool For Job Growth?

Aug. 4, 2014
Research shows 76 companies that implemented industrial or factory / warehouse robots actually increased the number of employees by 294,000 over the last three years.

The manufacturing renaissance isn't being built on sweat and labor; it's being built on ingenious robots, smart machines and industrial-minded, skilled workers. The job killing robots we all fear might actually be our best tool for job growth.

"Automation is driving technological unemployment," writes Colin Lewis, rather bleakly, in his latest post on RobotEconomics. "Jobs are being obliterated." But, he notes, that's no reason to panic. The sky is not falling, the industry is not crashing and all hope is not lost.

"Our research shows 76 companies that implemented industrial or factory / warehouse robots actually increased the number of employees by 294,000 over the last three years," he writes. And furthermore, he adds, "It is highly probable over a million new jobs will be created in the robotics sectors in the coming five years."

More on robotics on IndustryWeek.

IndustryWeek is an NED companion site within Penton’s Manufacturing & Supply Chain Group.

About the Author

Travis Hessman | VP of Content, Endeavor Business Media

Travis Hessman is the VP of Content for Endeavor Business Media. Previously, Travis was the Editor-in-Chief for Industry Week and New Equipment Digest as well as the Group Editorial Director for Endeavor's Manufacturing Group.

He began his career as an intern at IndustryWeek in 2001 and later served as IW's technology and innovation editor. Today, he combines his experience as an educator, a writer, and a journalist to help address some of the most significant challenges in the manufacturing industry, with a particular focus on leadership, training, and the technologies of smart manufacturing.