Many believe that the Industrial Revolution ended in the 1900s. Little do they know that humans are gearing towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In this period, countless machines are expected to be created to uptake highly automated tasks that will affect the economy of countries all around the world.
But despite the improvements in technology, some people still doubt the efficiency of robots in helping industries to flourish. In fact, some are hesitant to embrace the changes that these high-end machines bring. And, this is mainly due to environmental reasons.
To understand more about the robots’ impact on the environment, let’s understand how these machines work. Are they more dangerous than they are helpful? Let’s find out.
Robotics in Different Industries
Researchers have found out that mechanization in industries allows less work for individuals. Apparently, the use of automated machines has taken a significant load off of our shoulders, especially in terms of labor, making it easier and faster for industrial businesses to accomplish their goals.
There are various facets of society where robots are used. One of them is agriculture. In this industry, people use tractors, harvesters, and other machines to hasten work. However, it seems that existing technologies are not enough to cater to the needs of the world population. The demand continues to rise and leaves an immense dilemma about whether to create more machines or not. And, if engineers do it, there is the fear that more greenhouse gas would be emitted to the atmosphere which contributes to climate change.
So, experts suggest creating robots that will replace human labor of operating tractors and harvesters. However, these robots should be made with renewable energy systems to reduce the robots’ impact on the environment. If manufacturers can create smart robots that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it would be an astounding way to change the farming industry and make it better.
Another industry that applies robotics is car manufacturing. Robot arms are used in the automotive industry to reduce production and assembly time. These systems don’t take much space, and they create parts with greater precision. The best part is, robots save humans from the egregious processes of manufacturing.
According to the experts, some jobs in the automotive business also pose hazards, such as molding where harmful fumes are created. It wasn’t until the use of robot arms that they were able to reduce these risks and protect workers.
The advantages brought about by robotics don’t just apply to the automotive and agricultural industries. Engineering, architecture, and healthcare also benefit from them. The goal now is to create better and smarter robots, such as those using servo drives for harsh environments, to reduce the impact of automation on the environment.
With these improvements, humans can prevent the negative implications caused by greenhouse emissions from existing robots.
Environmental Robots: Are They Possible?
More robots mean less workload for humans. However, there is a downside to this idea. Increased robot manufacturing can cause environmental burden considering the materials needed, the process of development, and the regulation of the machines.
This is why engineers and scientists nowadays focus on the robots’ impact on the environment. Their goal is to further explore robots and address the problems they pose to our natural ecosystem.
In fact, there are now companies that have successfully created machines that prove robots can help the environment.
One such robot is the Growbot, which is an unmanned machine that can plant seedlings 10 times faster than any human being can. It is manufactured by the SkyGrow team with Mark Stewart as the CEO. He developed this company to help people plant more seeds to help with reforestation projects.
Another robot manufactured for the environment is the Ocean One. This humanoid machine is built for robot environment exploration. The idea behind this robot is the health of oceans, rivers, and other bodies of water. It helps monitor aquatic plant and animal species to let researchers learn more about how they can improve their well-being within their natural habitat.
The Ocean One gathers specimens without disrupting the ecosystem. The robot’s environment perception is human-like. So, it is as gentle as a human in gathering samples needed by scientists.
Conclusion
So, if you’re asking, “Are robots environmentally friendly?” It entirely depends on their usage and their manufacturing process. We cannot deny that some robots can cause harm, but scientists are now studying their impact so they can rewire them to become more environmentally-friendly.
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About Nick
Nick is a Software Engineer. He has interest in gadgets and technical stuffs. If you are facing any problem with your Windows, feel free to ask him.