Bernaden recalls that “when we got to ‘robots’ it was like a lightening rod. People said, ‘I don’t want products made by robots, because that’s replacing blue-collar jobs.’” And yet people’s appetite for today’s automobiles, which depend a great deal on robotics, does not seem to suffer as a result. Indeed, most consumers are likely unaware of how deeply robotics and factory automation are involved in the everyday products they consume. Human hands don’t even touch a Hershey’s Kiss, or a can of Coca-Cola.
Bernaden told the Journal that the experience underscored the need for more public education about the benefits of automation. After all factories, even highly automated ones, don’t run themselves as they require large numbers of skilled workers to keep machines and equipment running smoothly, not to mention truck drivers hauling materials and finished goods.
Meet Keith Nosbusch, CEO Rockwell Automation
Meet Keith Nosbusch and other Smart Manufacturing leaders on May 21-22 by joining us at the Smart Manufacturing Summit, where mid-market manufacturing CEOs connect with top-performing peers and learn best practices. This extraordinary event brings together the thinkers and doers who are writing American manufacturing’s comeback story. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to bring fresh thinking to the opportunities and threats facing your business.
Our full lineup of speakers:
Alan Mulally, CEO, Ford Motor Company
Farooq Kathwari, President, Chairman, & CEO Ethan Allen Interiors
Dr. George Calvert, Chief Supply Chain and R&D Officer, Amway
Dave Bozeman, VP of Integrated Manufacturing Operations Division, Caterpillar
Keith Nosbusch, Chairman & CEO, Rockwell Automation
Stephanie Streeter, Director & CEO, Libbey
John Fleming, Global Head of Manufacturing at Ford
Jim Jarrell, President, Linamar
Jason Blessing, CEO, Plex Systems.
Cristian Pedersen, General Manager, Microsoft Dynamics
Doug Farren, Associate Director, National Center for the Middle Market
To find out more about how the Smart Manufacturing Summit can help you improve your business and expand your network, please visit Smart Manufacturing Summit.
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