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How we think about and use robots has come a long way since their predecessors were first deployed in the early 20th century. One of the most notable was General Motors’ use of the first industrial, programmable robot arm, known as the Unimate, which helped accelerate mass production by automating repetitive tasks.
Like their automated ancestors, robots today continue to revolutionize the manufacturing industry by automating an even wider array of tasks on the assembly line, in warehouses, and more, introducing computer vision and sensors with great precision and adaptability to get work done around the clock. Many robots even work alongside humans for tasks that require precision, strength, or repetitive actions, amplifying team productivity.
However, autonomous robots have since been deployed in almost every industry and at different scales, from a single device used in a quick-service restaurant to a highly tuned array that fills sensitive medications.
In times of such rapid evolution, it can help to pause and review just how far technological advances have come. Let’s review the current landscape for autonomous robots, how these smart devices facilitate your world, and how they could be deployed in your organization.
6 Industries Autonomous Robots (Continue to) Support
Here are six industries already leveraging the versatility and power of autonomous robots:
Reshaping the Casino Industry
Like many other industries, the casino and gaming industry has been revolutionized with autonomous robots, ushering in a new era of enhanced customer experiences, heightened security, and streamlined operations. These intelligent machines have proven to be invaluable in engaging patrons. From interactive and entertaining robot dealers to robot concierges that offer personalized assistance, these robots can be used in various roles.
Beyond customer engagement, autonomous robots are also used in security and surveillance roles, leveraging advanced facial recognition capabilities to identify banned individuals, keep potential troublemakers at bay, and monitor for disturbances in real-time. Robots are also used in casino operations and maintenance tasks, efficiently cleaning the casino floor or tracking and restocking supplies.
Transforming College Campuses
Autonomous robots are common on college campuses. Whether they serve as tutors or deliver immersive learning opportunities via VR technology, these devices help foster a deeper understanding of complex subjects and enrich the academic journey for students. Robots have also streamlined administrative tasks and bolstered campus safety, managing logistics and supply delivery and patrolling campus grounds.
Reinventing Retail
Whether they are preventing loss, detecting theft, or helping customer service, autonomous robots are also on-duty in retail environments.
In addition to the use cases we just described, robots can optimize inventory management by restocking shelves, implementing automated tracking systems, managing stock levels, and reducing overstocking or shortages.
Finally, autonomous robots can enhance the customer experience as robot greeters or self-checkout options, making shopping more convenient and enjoyable with faster transactions and reduced wait times.
Transforming Healthcare
Autonomous robots are indispensable tools in hospitals and pharmacies, streamlining patient care tasks and helping with medication management.
In hospitals, these robots assist with patient transportation, medication delivery, and specimen handling, optimizing workflows and allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on direct patient care. Other specialized autonomous robots assist with infection control, minimizing human contact in certain areas and reducing the risk of transmission.
In pharmacies, robots automate medication dispensing and inventory management, ensuring accurate and timely prescriptions while minimizing errors. Even retail pharmacies like Walgreens expect that “as much as half” of their prescriptions will be processed by robot-supported centers by 2025.
Enhancing Supply Chain Efficiency
In supply chain and warehouse management, automated picking and sorting systems allow for expedited order fulfillment and optimized logistics processes. Like those made famous by Amazon, these robots excel in automated warehouse navigation, ensuring seamless and efficient material handling to minimize delays and bottlenecks.
They can also help with workplace safety and defect testing. Some robots can handle tasks involving heavy lifting and repetitive actions, whereas others use AI-powered vision systems that enable automated defect detection and testing, reducing the risk of manufacturing errors.
Revolutionizing Restaurants
Whether to help offset the risks of a tight labor market, keep costs low, or increase productivity, robots are already in a restaurant near you.
From Panda Express’ work-handling robots to those capable of producing thousands of meals every day, these advanced devices minimize wasted movements, work around the clock, and efficiently handle basic tasks. This leaves time for employees to focus on unique customer orders and keep costs down.
Bringing It All Together
Regardless of your industry or level of sophistication with robotics, Burroughs can provide tech-enabled, OEM-agnostic full lifecycle maintenance services for your organization.
Burroughs’ expertise spans more than 137 years and includes a wide array of devices, industries, regions, and OEMs, making them the go-to independent service partner (ISP) you want in your corner.
Whether it's cutting-edge robotic automation systems, unattended self-service technologies, payment and transaction automation, or other, connected IoT technology, Burroughs' ability to deliver superior service and support ensures your customers have seamless experiences and your business maximizes its technology investment.
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