Everyday businesses, scientists and government agencies encounter difficult problems, which they cannot solve manually either due to their complexity or the time consumed to calculate appropriate solutions. However, after the invention of robotics, life has become easier and prosperous. A robot is any type of machine, which performs a task or a series of tasks mechanically by following a computerized program or remotely controlled by a human . Today, robots have become practical tools for home, work as well as cutting-edge technology. Many industries employ robots in the manufacture and distribution of goods. Robots also serve as stand-ins for humans in dangerous activities, such as surveillance aircraft, space and deep-sea exploration . In the medical field, robots help physicians to perform certain types of surgeries. Small robots are available for use in vacuum cleaners at home.
There are a wide variety of jobs in the field of robotics. For example, design robotic controls and other mechanical systems, planning and overseeing the manufacture of technical equipment, investigating system failures and designing remediation measures. Other functions include staying up-to-date with the new developments in science, technology and robotics. Robotics also offers jobs as personnel in manufacturing, sales, customer service and marketing divisions of multinational companies. As practical applications of robotics are essential in different industries, new opportunities are available in the field of robotics. Work experience for entry-level positions in robotics is not essential; however desirable since most of the graduates gain practical experience through academic research projects, work-study programs and part-time employment . Robotics also offers careers in local, state and national associations to take advantage of new networking opportunities and other professional resources.
In the recent years, robots have started to dominate the news headlines, and science fiction has already predicted some of the applications performed by robots, which have received a great glorification. Robots are human replacements, which are able to act independently and capable of serving various old and new roles in the society. As an embodiment of artificial intelligence, robotics is more suitable for jobs that demand information processing and action too quick for a human. War robots, such as Predator, Crusher, Global Hawk and many others perform distinct duties, which include spying, surveillance, defusing bombs and attacking targets . In the field of research and education, robots play a major role in collecting ocean-surface, marine-life data over extended data period and exploring new planets. Robots serve as caretaking agents for the elderly and children.
Robotics is a challenging career path as it requires effective writing and communication skills in addition to strong leadership, teamwork, interpersonal and problem-solving skills. It also involves various personal traits, such as being enthusiastic, dedicated, self-motivated, honest, detail-oriented and innovative . After gaining certain experience in robotics, one can gain access to more complex projects with greater responsibilities. Robotics also offers careers for people with managerial and administrative interests in supervisory positions. Those with entrepreneurial ambitions might perform a career as an independent consultant or owner of the firm, which offers contractual services. Since robotics offers a thrill of working in an area, which is at the forefront of technology, pursuing career as a robotics engineer involves two major functions, such as designing the robots and overseeing their production until the completion of the work. This is a complex task as it involves various factors, such as the robot’s working environment, cost interaction, human interaction and appearance of the robot . A robotics engineer also requires careful programming of the robot’s software as it is through the software that the robot receives commands and translates them into eventual actions.
In the long-term, the implementation of robotics offers effective labor compensation, which depends largely on the production volume and profitability. The implementation of robotics and related technologies would also result in higher wages for workers in production and servicing sector . Furthermore, the number of jobs created and the rate at which they appear would also depend on the growth rate of robotics industry and the degree of automation of robot manufacture and repair. A career in robotics would improve the quality of working environment and lead to an increase in productivity and flexibility of the work. New forms of advanced manufacturing technology through the implementation of robotics would relieve job boredom and resulting worker dissatisfaction, which most of the management experts have been concerned with . Workers would be able to use more complex skills and perform a greater variety of tasks.
Since there is a shortage of trained technical experts in the field of robotics, any significant expansion in the pace of robot-driven automation would require a great number of individuals. Robotics has already created various new technical jobs at the community college level to train the workers in robot installation, programming and maintenance. There is also a need for a more technologically literate work force, which requires an advanced understanding of mathematics and technology . For example, a high level of technological literacy has enabled Japanese workforce to welcome robots in their manufacturing plants. There are several opportunities for enhanced robot systems, which include improvements to protect against software and hardware failures and enhance operator training. There is a huge competition in the field of robotics in the long-term at two levels, which include developing and selling robotics technology and using robots to produce goods and services more efficiently. Robotics-related research offers a great deal of opportunities for robotics scientists and a superior international state of art in robotics.
Today, the robotics industry is a mix of established robot producers, venture capital groups and major robot users, such IBM and Fanuc, who have moved into robot production. the structure of the robotics industry has also changed dramatically, which has opened up several opportunities for a huge number of people. A substantial level of technology from foreign producers has also invited a plethora of possibilities in the robotics market. Experts have been emphasizing on the ways in which robotics would change the society as a whole in terms of job opportunities, flexibility, simplicity of work . Since robotics also impacts the society by taking care of the elderly and children, which demands for more number of robotics engineers. The widespread adoption of robotics has also invited new opportunities in the field of social and personal interactions rather than mere factory robots.
Works Cited
Hunt, V. D. (2012). Understanding Robotics. San Diego, CA: Elsevier.
Lin, P., Abney, K., & Bekey, G. A. (2011). Robot Ethics: The Ethical and Social Implications of Robotics. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
McDavid, R. A., & Echaore-McDavid, S. (2006). Career Opportunities in Engineering. New York, NY: Infobase Publishing.
