Helpful robotics





Robotic aids are here to stay and many major companies are keen to promote the idea that they'll be more of an asset than a job-taking menace.

For example, as Nissan prepares to build a new generation of electrified, intelligent and connected cars, the company is making a series of investments to upgrade its production technologies and facilities.

At first glance, the Japanese auto giant with global operations, points out that these investments in automation might suggest that the factory of the future will be the exclusive domain of machines, not people. In fact, 'nothing could be further from the truth manufacturing is as reliant on human beings as ever, and technology will serve to enhance their work', it says.

"We see efficiency in terms of preventing mistakes, maintaining quality, ensuring that workers are freed from monotonous tasks, and reducing strain and fatigue from work," the company added.

Entire engineering teams at Nissan are 'dedicated to studying ergonomics'. For every process, they analyse the physical burden of certain actions such as lifting, reaching, twisting or crouching, or the mental burden of tasks that are repetitive or require constant concentration. They then pick the most burdensome processes and come up with solutions to make life easier.

One example of devices that ease the burden on workers are the exoskeleton devices being tested at Nissan’s Barcelona plant. This innovation has shown a significant potential to enhance the strength and stamina of workers.

The exoskeletons are lightweight (1.5 to 3 kilograms) and offer shoulder and arm support for workers performing particularly strenuous overhead tasks. They’ve been shown to reduce muscle strain by up to 60%.

Nissan also uses a lot of additional techniques to lighten the load on workers. In some plants, workers sit on “ergo-chairs” attached to robot arms, letting them enter vehicle cabins quickly and effortlessly.

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