The Revolution of Robots - Assignment Example

Case Analysis Student Name Institution Tutor Course Case Analysis 1. Using a utilitarian approach, consider the issue of whether or not it is right to replace manual workers with robots. The revolution of robots is slowly but steadily taking over most operations in manufacturing, assembly and production lines. With the growing population, it is expected that humans should hold most f the jobs so as to enhance sustainability of humanity through earnings. The threat of robots to human jobs should not be feared. According to Hinman (2014), a utilitarianism approach refers to acting in ways that will create the greatest overall good to the world. It is about bringing good consequences. Therefore, robots should not be viewed as job snatchers but rather, they should be seen as agents of improving productivity. From the case by Markoff (2012), advances in technology today come with required high productivity. For instance, improvement in touch and vision technologies present majority of the works within robots’ abilities. While this is a scare to the jobs held by humans, the overall benefit is improved production. They also offer improved efficiency and reliability. As witnessed in Boeing during manufacture of the Dream-liner 787 aircraft, the company struggles to find humans that can handle the production requirements of the aircraft. This is because robots used offer great increases in precision. In addition, they are safe for the workers since some delicate operations are now being done by the machines (Markoff, 2012). The overall benefit required of the company is to be competitive and offer improved economy to the country. This can only be achieved through competitiveness and through improved efficiency. Robots are faster than humans and they are cost effective. This offers an opportunity for the nation to stay competitive through higher productivity. High efficiency in manufacturing creates skilled jobs in areas of design, operation and servicing of assembly lines. The overall goal of the company is to attain economic responsibility. Through robots, this goal is attained and overall, the economy of the nation shall benefit the people of the country and the world at large. 2. Using a deontological approach, consider the issue of whether or not it is right to replace manual workers with robots. A deontological approach to use of robots in manufacturing presents the whole idea as appearing to break the rules of morality, yet in reality, it still approves of the use of robots. As stated by Lin et al (2008), morality involves doing ones duty. Breaking the rules of the duty is against morality. The rules of companies require that the companies improve the economy of the nation by being profitable. They also require that the companies adhere to legal responsibilities. With changing technology, it is required of companies to produce more efficiently. According to the laws of robotics by Asimov, it is required that robots should not harm humans, should obey humans and they should engage in preserving themselves. Prioritizing these laws reduces the conflict in development of robots. For instance, the law of not harming humans comes first before obeying humans and then the law of self preservation. Under these laws, it appears that robots harm humans when they snatch their jobs. In reality, the robots create an opportunity for humans to be free and pursue more worthy efforts (Idaho National Library, 2014). It also obeys humans by acting upon their instructions. Finally, the economic benefits of robots demonstrate its ability to self preserve. Robots cannot really take over every task that humans perform. They only improve the ability of humans to perform better, as seen in the case of mathematicians and the calculator. The calculator only reduces the ability of man to work calculations with his head, but the whole mathematical puzzle is actually done by the human. 3. With reference to the theory of Technological Transitions developed by Frank Geels, discuss the adoption of robot technology in manufacturing. Geel (2002) defined technology transitions as major changes in the fulfillment of functions in the society. Such transformations include communication, transport, housing and feeding. In his paper, Geel argues that functions in the society are fulfilled through socio-technical configurations. The skills that people possess and the things they have only work because they have been embedded. There exists a link between the functions and that is the reason they work in the society. Based on this, technological transition involves change from one configuration to another. This involves substituting existing technology and changes in some other elements. This whole process of reconfiguration does not take place easily because the elements in the existing socio-technical configuration have been aligned and linked to one another. This is the reason as to why new technology finds it hard to break through the society because the many existent functions in the society are aligned to the existing technology. These functions include rules and regulations, maintenance networks, user practices and infrastructure. Radical innovations such as robotics technology are developed in niches. These niches have protection from normal selection in the market. The technology has emerged as a hopeful monstrosity and for this reason, it should be protected. While the technology appears to be expensive and cumbersome in the beginning, it should be pursued to the end because the overall benefit of the technology shall be witnessed across all elements in the society. Just like any new technology, the transition and adoption of robotics incorporates a linkage with many other technologies, new and existent. The transition does not only involve market shares and technology, it incorporates wider dimensions like regulations, industrial networks, symbolic meaning and infrastructure. Therefore, adopting the concept of robotics in manufacturing comes with changes in the many other elements that are inter-linked to the current manufacturing practices. Effective management of the linkage results in successful adoption of robotics technology in the manufacturing world. 4. Considering recent developments in 3D printing, is 3D printing likely to constitute a disruptive technology in the manufacturing industry? Disruptive innovation exists when a product or a service invades the market, initially appearing as simple applications and taking the bottom position but eventually moving up and displacing established competitors. 3-D printing is emerging as one of the disruptive innovations today. The technology allows users to undertake costly processes that are related to traditional manufacturing. 3-D printing has disrupted traditional processes of manufacturing (Chong, 2013). This is because consumers have started innovating across the manufacturing industry. Addictive manufacturing has created disruptions and caused the emergence of new businesses. This has made stagnant and established manufacturing firms to collapse. Decline of existing industries with new technology is not rapid. Global competition in manufacturing industry has increased. This requires increased competitiveness amongst manufacturing industries. For economic growth, innovation is required. 3D printing provides an avenue to be continuously innovative. 3D printing enables low number of goods to be produced at a lower cost when compared to traditional manufacturing. Traditional manufacturing requires production of high volumes for one to achieve lower costs. This implies that 3D printing can be easily adopted for low production and low cost manufacturers. However, traditional manufacturing still takes precedence in areas where larger quantities are produced. The wide range of applications of 3D printing gives it a platform for causing disruptive technology in the manufacturing industry. While the process takes time, it will eventually take over the manufacturing industry as requirement for innovation and its economical benefits become a reality (Grynol, 2012). List of References Chong, F 2013, Disruptive technologies: What they will give-and take-in the years ahead. Asia Today International, 31(5), 8. Geel, F 2002, Technological Transitions as Evolutionary Re-Configuration Processes: A Multi-level Perspective and A Case-Study. Research Policy, 31: 1257–1274. Grynol, B 012, Disruptive Manufacturing: The Effects of 3D printing. Canada: Deloitte LLP. Hinman, L 2014, Utilitarianism: An Introduction. USA: University of San Diego. Idaho National Library, 2014, Humanoid Robotics: Ethical Considerations. Retrieved on March 29, 2014 from: https://inlportal.inl.gov/portal/server.pt/community/ethical_considerations/543. Lin et al, 2008, Autonomous Military Robotics: Risk, Ethics, and Design. San Luis Obispo: California Polytechnic State University. Markoff, J. 2012, ‘Skilled work, without the worker’, New York Times, 18 August, viewed 28 March 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/business/new-wave-of-adeptrobots-is-changing-global-industry.html?pagewanted=all. Zhao, S 2006, Humanoid social robots as a medium of communication. New Media and Society, Vol 8 (3): 401-419. Read More