The Tech Threat - part two

As automation gets cheaper than the cost of labour, developing economies are being hit the hardest.



Robotics has been used in manufacturing for decades. But advances in sensors and machine learning software are rapidly expanding their use, especially in industry. A new generation of robots is emerging that can work alongside humans and replace them in ways never seen before.

Some of the most innovative robotics technology for industry was on display at the Automate 2015 expo in Chicago earlier this year. Wynright, a US company that provides material handling and distribution systems, showcased its Robotic Truck Unloader that landed it on the list of the top 50 robotics companies to watch.

Wynright’s robot autonomously moves in and out of trucks to load and unload shipments, arranging different products by box size. The robot can send different products in a truck to distinct locations in a warehouse, or prepare an order for shipment that includes varied products.