50 n TALKING INDUSTRY July/August 2024 www.drivesncontrols.com Robotics and Automation for SMEs Robotics is a popular theme for the Talking Industry online panel discussions. In the latest episode of the series, Andy Pye quizzed three industry experts on how to increase the take-up of industrial automation – and robotics, in particular – within the UK SME community. Talking Industry The guests in the latest Talking Industry event discussed the challenges and opportunities of implementing robotics and automation among SMEs (small and mediumsized enterprises). They emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to automation to cut costs and improve eciency. The importance of upskilling and training existing sta was also highlighted, as well as the potential for collaborative robots in various industries. Overall, the speakers were optimistic about the prospects for robotics and automation in UK manufacturing. They highlighted the need for more case studies and reference sites to help build condence in the technology, and for a change in the cultural mindset. It was noted that YouTube can be a valuable resource for seeing case studies in action, and for oering advice on implementing robots. Government support and investment in robot density were seen as crucial for growth and development in the industry. Nikesh Mistry from Gambica argued the case for a long-term industrial strategy from government, which should address funding, workforce development and alignment with Europe. “Automation and robotics can help SMEs overcome rising global competition and labour shortages,” he said, adding that “associations have produced manifestos, but a collaborative response is better to ensure diverse voices are heard.” Kuka’s Michael Payne suggested that a supertax incentive for automation investments could be benecial, even though timing is crucial for the successful implementation in each case. Paul Roberts from Universal Robots pointed out that “SMEs face labour gaps and skill shortages, with larger companies potentially siphoning talent from smaller businesses. Automation is moving from niceto-have to essential for SMEs, with o-theshelf solutions and customised applications coming to the fore.” Automation and AI Highlighting the benets of automation as including lower labour costs, higher productivity and improved traceability, Payne said that robots are seen as special, but are no dierent from CNC lathes, helping workers to be more ecient, and encouraging upskilling and training existing employees instead of relying solely on robots. “AI (machine learning) can improve robotics by learning from trial and error,”he added. He explained how machine learning can, for example, improve welding processes by allowing systems to learn from mistakes and improve over time. Clever algorithms can be used instead of machine learning for complex welding applications, but may not be as eective. Roberts emphasised the importance of starting small with AI implementations. The speakers moved on to discuss the impact of government policies on UK manufacturers, including SMEs, and called for more investment and the introduction of condence-boosting measures. In particular, Payne emphasised the UK’s low robot density and lack of investment in manufacturing, calling for political action to address these issues. Roberts said that Germany's automation deployment is a benchmark, but the UK lags in productivity. He also highlighted the importance of safety in collaborative robots, emphasising the need for application-specic safety measures. He noted that Universal Robots’ ease-of-use and other capabilities have led to increased adoption in applications beyond collaborative work. The company's focus on safety has changed over time. Factors to consider when deploying robots include load capacity, speed, and pass-through height. Payne advises SMEs to look for robot suppliers or industry experts for integration, citing the importance of vetting and validating integrators for specic applications. The panel then discussed the need to educate younger generations about robotics, highlighting the importance of programming and presenting it as an attractive career option. Payne suggested that large businesses could help their SME suppliers by oering them more stable contracts and connecting them with industry contacts. SMEs also need help investing in automation, and large companies can assist in this process. You can still watch or listen A video of this Talking Industry panel discussion is available for viewing on YouTube (https://youtu.be/yXOsTw0heDM) or as a podcast (via https://talkingindustry.podbean.com) The online panel On the panel for this Webinar were: • Paul Roberts, UK Business Development Manager, Universal Robots • Michael Payne, Business Development, FMCG & Logistics sectors, KUKA Robotics UK • Nikesh Mistry, Sector Head of Industrial Automation, Gambica • Andy Pye, Webinar Chair and Consultant Editor, DFA Media
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