How to balance your robotics and human workforce

If you are not familiar with the term Industry 5.0, it is a term used to describe the peak of human-robotics integration in the workplace. The combination of artificial intelligence, IoT, machine learning and human workforce in organisations is no longer just a means to gain a competitive advantage in the market but a necessity if you wish to stay relevant.

While robots were earlier utilized in large companies for purposes such as manufacturing due to their accuracy and efficiency, they are currently being introduced even in small businesses to take care of repetitive tasks that would otherwise have to be assigned to humans. This integration is not without its challenges and a starting business may indeed find it difficult to cope.

Below are some tips that will help you foster a productive human and robotics workforce:

1. Let humans handle human-relation roles

Although robots are known for their efficiency in repetitive tasks requiring high accuracy, they are not the best human relations tools. When dealing with customers, businesses should ensure the customers interact directly with humans rather than robots as this makes them feel accommodated and cared for. Robots can handle the collection of data to allow personalisation of services to customers but the real interaction with the customers should be left to humans.

2. Provide training and IT education to employees

This will cater to the fear that many have regarding workplace automation. Most people especially those who are not technologically literate tend to take robots in the workplace as a negative development whose only impact is displacing human labour.

Training the employees in the types of cobots and software systems to be used will enable them to appreciate the contribution of the robots and also help in maintaining their productivity.

3. Promote a strong workplace culture

Even without the integration of robots, it is important to ensure that there is a strong business culture in your organisation. This involves the identity of the business and its employees and the general way in which matters are conducted in the organisation. When there is strong workplace culture, the employees will be more trusting to the management and will be able to positively embrace most of the changes suggested.

4. Recognize human contributions and achievement

In light of the amazing manner in which robots are able to work, management may fail to appreciate the contribution of the humans in their workforce. This can have the effect of lowering their morale and in the end reducing their productivity. It is important for management to take time to applaud and appreciate the efforts made by humans in the workplace. This could be done by giving bonuses or promotion chances where applicable.

Since it is inevitable that robots and humans will have to share a workplace in the near future, businesses should start focusing on ways to ensure this new development will be accommodated in their organisations. The proper integration of robotics and human workforce could have numerous benefits for the organization.

If you have decided to embrace this trend and introduce robots to your workforce, feel free to browse our website for the best deals in manufacturing automation, robots for hire, among many other services offered.