The Number of Robots in the Workforce Reached A Record In 2018

We have all heard the apparent menace of robots to a lot of humans' employment opportunities on the news. However, this is completely probable because more robots are joining the workforce, and it seems like they’re there to stay.

Growing Automation in American Industries

According to an assessment made by the Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the number of robots delivered to North American companies has reached a record high.

Some 35,880 units were noted by the report to have been delivered in 2018. Nearly half of that number went to serve in non-automotive industries, such as consumer goods and electronics.

Jeff Burnstein - president of the Association for Advancing Automation said in a statement:

He continued:

Amazon's automated grocery store: Amazon Go. The store has no clerk and relies entirely on automated software.

Slow-Down in Automotive

The automotive industry is experiencing a slow-down in spite of the up-trend in automation. The number of robots shipped to North American automotive companies has dropped by about 12%. 19,178 units were shipped in 2018 in comparison to 21,732 units in 2017.

Nonetheless, the industry still accounts for 53% of robot total robot shipments to North America. Therefore, it is still, by and large, the premiere automated industry.

Exposure and Effect

In January, the Brookings Institute said that 25% of US workers will be exposed highly to automation in a couple of decades. That’s about 36 million jobs. Meanwhile, a higher 36% will face ‘medium exposure’, amounting to 52 million jobs.

Though if you’re having an idea that there would be some industries that wouldn’t be affected by technology. You should abandon that thought now. The report also noted that there will not be any industries or fields that won’t be changed by automation or artificial intelligence.