RIA is the association of choice for makers, users and integrators of robotics in a field filled with possibility
By Brian Huse, Director, Marketing & PR, RIA
Robots have been lionized, romanticized and demonized since they became popular in 1950’s film and literature. The Robotic Industries Association, established in 1974, is the only North American trade association solely dedicated to the robotics industry and works to promote the growth and acceptance of the technology.
In 1977, Star Wars changed attitudes about robots thanks to two likable characters known as R2-D2 and C-3PO. Rather than the traditional villains, the “droids” earned affection.
By coincidence, labor attitudes toward robots began changing in the late 1970’s. Japan quickly embraced robots and even honored them with installation ceremonies, and US acceptance grew as safety improved in the workplace.
When GM installed the first commercial robot in 1962, it was in the miserable confines of a die casting operation. Parts handled by the Unimate were heavy and hot – an unhealthy job few people craved. Instead, the robot freed them to do safer tasks, such as operate and maintain robots.
For today’s robot revolution we can thank Joseph F. Engelberger, the “Father of Robotics,” and his partner, George Devoll, for the vision to design robots that can work in extreme conditions. The industry’s highest award is named after Mr. Engelberger and conferred by RIA to “persons who have contributed outstandingly to the furtherance of the science and practice of robotics.”
Robots appeal to the young and old alike. High school children now compete in robotics competitions, and as they get older they can enroll in robotics programs at colleges and universities and pursue a lucrative career path selling, operating, maintaining and programming robots.
Furthering the mission
Training and education are critical to RIA in its mission to improve the regional, national and global competitiveness of the North American manufacturing and service sectors. RIA organizes events led by industry experts and sponsors the biennial International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show and the annual National Robot Safety Conference, the largest events of their kind in North America. RIA also organizes regional workshops on applications inside and outside traditional manufacturing settings (like the innovative use of robotics in lab and healthcare applications).
Only RIA collects shipment and order data for North America’s robotics industry. It estimates more than 188,000 robots are being used nationwide, placing the US second only to Japan in overall robot use. It’s estimated that more than one million robots are used worldwide, with countries like China, Korea and India rapidly expanding investments in robotics.
Growing opportunities & safety
New opportunities for robotics are literally in the wind. RIA just commissioned a study, “Market Opportunities in the Wind Turbine Industry,” which examines the potential of automation to improve savings and quality in the fabrication process. (Many robot makers have already made inroads here.) This market is of particular interest because of its rapid growth (28.7 percent in 2008) and signs that it’s reached the point where automation technologies may be needed for continued expansion.
Wherever they’re deployed, robots have an impressive safety track record. Today it’s common for OSHA to refer to the RIA/ANSI R15.06 national robot safety standard. Often the robot has less to do with an incident than other factors. New industry standards (driven by new technology) make it possible to comply with safety guidelines and allow closer proximity of people to robots in the work cell. These advancements are money savers through safeguarding devices and giving more workspace back to users.
Companies that use robots will tell you they’re among the most reliable assets they have. On average, robots can go more than 60,000 hours MTBF (mean-time-between-failure). This eliminates worry about hidden costs for robot repair or downtime. Adherence to guidelines for risk assessment and RIA’s safety standard ensures workers are safe around the work cell, and a company can depend on robots to contain costs for worker compensation by shifting labor away from tasks rife with physical hazards (such as grinding and material removal).
Improving industry
If you think robots are mostly for heavy lifting in the factory, you might be surprised by how essential they’ve become in the drug discovery process. Pharmaceutical companies and labs around the world use robots for tedious and labor intensive tasks (consider the endless handling of test tubes and the associated risk of carpal tunnel syndrome). Not only are robots suited to monotonous and delicate tasks, but they’re affordable and free up highly skilled specialists to focus on their core competence. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center has appeared at RIA events to explain how robots save them enough time and effort to justify research on cures for rare cancers.
Food handling is another application for robotics. No sneezing, coughing or sweating with a robot. No hair to cover or gloves to wear. Robots and end effectors come in many designs including ones that comply with FDA requirements for sanitation. Robots also have an appetite for clean-room applications in the semiconductor and electronics industry. Through the years, RIA has sponsored events covering these and many other non-traditional topics.
Robots have a large imprint on today’s world. Whether it’s food in the cupboard or prescriptions we take – even bricks on our homes and hinges on caskets – all around us are products and services made possible by, safer with and better because of robotics.
Visit www.roboticsonline.com for more on the Robotic Industries Association
View Digital Corporate Profile of Robotic in Manufacturing Digital August 2009