Automation is progressing at an incredible pace, as a result of the increase in technology. A close friend of mine and I were discussing this global trend recently and he asked about where he would fit into the new structure of society. He was also concerned for his children and grandchildren, as am I.
I love technology. I have a Microsoft SurfacePro 2 and SurfacePro 3 and am looking forward to the introduction of the SurfacePro 4 this fall. These are all hybrid computers which can be used both as tablets and as desktop/laptop computers. I have a hybrid cloud solution for my data and follow numerous technology oriented blogs. I am a member of the Microsoft Windows Insider program and have the new Windows 10 (beta) operating system on all of my production machines [not recommended by Microsoft].
Still, I am concerned, as I believe you should be. Technology and its brother, automation, have much promise but they also present several major challenges.
As I have noted in a previous blog, the Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly expanding. In an article entitled 2015: A World with 1 Billion Connected Things, Processor.com, April 3, 2015, it is noted that:
“Smart homes and smart commercial buildings comprise what is known as ‘smart cities’ according to Gartner and in 2015 the research firm anticipates 1.1 billion connected things. Because of IoT investment and service opportunities, these smart homes and buildings will more or less make up half of the total connected things in use this year, with this total rising to 81% by 2020.”
As with the IoT increase, the industrial robotics market will also increase dramatically. This according to an article entitled Industrial robotics market to reach $44.48 billion by 2020, Modern Materials Handling mag, June 2015. This article states;
“Transparency Market Research (TMR), a market intelligence firm, has released a report forecasting the global industrial robotics market will reach a market value of $44.48 billion by 2020, growing from $29 billion in 2013.”
What are the predominate drivers for this increase in automation? As expected, the following factors are creating this increase.
“According to the report, factors such as the widespread adoption of robotics in small and medium-sized enterprises and rising labor costs drive the global industrial robotics market.”
This is a revenue, and presumably, a production increase of 53%. The article continues by noting the market segments and regions of growth.
“In 2013, the materials handling segment held the largest share in the global market.
In terms of revenue, the global industrial robotics market was led by Asia Pacific in 2013. In North America, Mexico is expected to be a promising market for industrial robotics.”
In addition an article entitled “What will automation controls and instrumentation look like in 2020,” Control Engineering magazine, June 2015 gives an overview of the development of these automation systems. This concept of universal connectivity is a major factor.
“Universal Connectivity – Big data, Internet of Things (IoT), and mobility will drive the industry to a common connectivity standard; one which will align with the consumer and commercial markets. Industry demand for ‘universal connectivity’ will force vendors into providing access to proprietary offerings.
Mobile applications and wireless will become the norm. With the convergence of the traditional desktop PCs and mobile devices (such as Microsoft Continuum, included in Windows 10) computing will change. Convergence and super-fast wireless access everywhere will create more cloud-based applications. Microsoft HoloLens will augment HMI [Human Machine Interface] and PLC [Programmable Logic Controllers] programming and visualization.” - Stephen J. Malyzsko
In the same Control Engineering magazine article, Brent Stromwall notes:
“Without an ‘at-your-fingertips’ availability of maintenance and technical knowledge, the younger workforce will be unsuccessful – incapable – of operating and maintaining the systems on today’s plant floor.”
So with this view of our future, what are the concerns? After all, this was the world envisioned in my youth. Take a peek (presumably on the YouTube website) at many of the automotive and home appliance television commercials of the 1950s and early 1960s. At the press of a button, your every wish comes true, at least when driving or in the kitchen.
My main concern goes to one of the basic motivations or drivers for this new revolution of which the major one is labor cost. This is essentially the challenge of the question – where do you fit? [Hint: you are the problem.]
As I took stock of the current political crop of “candidates” in the 2016 presidential and congressional races, I wanted to see if any of them discussed ‘automation’ or ‘robotics’ in any substantial manner. Oddly, I could not find one major candidate willing (or perhaps intelligent enough) to discuss such issues in any rational way. They all discuss education, primarily in the vein of keeping the same outmoded system. Each of their discussions add a few ‘tweaks’ to this outmoded system presumably enhance their power and portfolio (surprise, surprise).
We still have an educational system designed for the 18th century (in my opinion). As noted in previous blogs, we have never discussed, let alone determined what an education should look like as we enter this new world of automation and robotics. The current comments/debates from the ultra-right, neocon Republicans (Bush, Walker, and all the others) to the liberal (Hillary, etc.) are all useless drivel designed to play to the electorate as campaign advertising between main stream media drivel which passes as entertainment and/or news on “the tube.”
I believe the current crop of ‘Rs’ and ‘Ds’ both in office and running for office are mostly for the entertainment of the top 1% (elites). One exception was Ron Paul (2012), who was marginalized, and his son Rand Paul (2016), who will be marginalized soon. They both ask questions none of the other candidates want to broach because the correct answers would diminish their power and portfolios as well as that of their masters [the elites]. The other candidate which I enjoy watching is ‘the Donald.’ He provides comical relief in a serious setting, and that, in my opinion, is about all the United States Presidency is truly worth in these times.
So, none of these ‘leaders’ dare raise the subject of where you fit into the rapidly changing future of automation and robotics. What about the large and small businesses which provide the goods and services upon which your life apparently depends [hint ; the plastic doodads from China you can’t live without]. Well, there are a plethora of articles and blogs about robotics and automation, especially on the technical side. There are even a few that take the luddite approach, but there seem to be few which discuss or call for a debate about where you fit into the mix.
It is a very challenging question. I am sure high level conferences like the TED programs discuss such issues. However, these typically do not trickle down to the ‘average American’ let alone the global community. And let’s face it, this is a global challenge.
The question was not answered in my youth either. What happened when your kitchen appliances could do everything from order your food, prepare it and serve it without any human intervention? All of the above was intimated by the advertisers, even back then. How then does the “homemaker” spend all the time which is freed up?
This same issue is even more challenging today because it is close to becoming reality. What happens when, in the name of cost and efficiency, your job is ‘automated’? You, all of the sudden have “all the time in the world.” Money aside, how do you spend your time? Watching TV? Going to ball games? Shopping online? Surfing the net? Golfing? And perhaps my favorite, reading a book (sorry for the throwback to ancient technology)?
It is for this reason, which I wrote my EPub entitled World Collapse or New Eden. This eBook asks these kind of provoking questions, and presents 101 expert predictions about your world and where they are today.
While I love the technology and am looking forward to ‘self-driving cars’ and other fascinating innovations, these issues of automation and robotics are very concerning. In my opinion we are exceptionally ill-prepared to deal with them emotionally, mentally or physically. It seems very clear that the elites, controlling ‘our political leaders,’ ‘our governments’ and the mega corporations which provide most of the goods and services we consume, wish to keep it that way.
So, my question still remains. With 2020 only 5 years away, where do you fit into our automated future?
Sincerely,
H. Court Young
Author, publisher, speaker and geologist
Promoting awareness through the written word
Research, freelance writing & self-publishing services
Facebook: HCourtYoung
Phone: 303-726-8320
Email: tmcco@msn.com
Facebook: http://www.hcourtyoung.com/facebook
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hcourtyoung
Blog: http://hcourtyoung.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment