In the manufacturing industry, the ability of robots to increase productivity is well known. However, for businesses that are committed to improving the working conditions of their employees, robots can do much more than that. They also play an important role in creating a quality work environment, which becomes a key strategy for companies to retain and attract talent. In an era of increasingly tight labor, and with a new generation of young people seeking new opportunities in manufacturing, robots have a crucial role to play in shaping a better workplace.

2711-K6C20 Volvo Cars, a world-renowned Swedish car manufacturer, has been widely using robotics on its production lines since early on, primarily using traditional large industrial robots. Housed in a secure enclosure, these robots are capable of handling several tons of items at once. Now, Volvo is also introducing smaller, more flexible collaborative robots that work directly with workers.

Here are three ways in which robotic automation can help create a better work environment that is a win-win for both employers and employees:

1. Give employees more meaningful work

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The essence of automation is its ability to take on tasks that are monotonous, dirty and dangerous. Such technological advances allow workers to free themselves from these burdens and engage in more challenging and creative tasks, thereby facilitating personal career development and role transformation. They are specifically designed to let collaborative robots (cobots) work side by side with humans.

Dan Lamkull, an ergonomic technologist and research lead at Volvo, makes a point: “If you hate the job, automate it. “As an expert in ergonomic strategy and innovation, Dan has observed significant positive changes in the work environment and responsibilities of his colleagues since the introduction of collaborative robots.

Dan Lamkull, ergonomics technologist and research lead at Volvo Cars (Credit: Volvo Cars)

2711-K6C20 Dan said: “We are moving forward with a series of operations aimed at freeing employees from their day-to-day job responsibilities and steering them towards new functional areas, which are primarily robot maintenance and inspection. Cobots are capable of performing complex tasks that require high precision and high consistency, which they can repeat over and over again without complaint. Cobots have quickly gone from being adversaries to essential tools in our work. The robot is responsible for repeating the boring work, and the employee is only responsible for the operation. “