IMPACTS OF ROBOTICS AND FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES ON MANUFACTURING COSTS AND EMPLOYMENT

摘要: The issues analyzed in this paper are the extent to which unit costs and production labor requirements might be reduced manufacturing industries if there is more widespread use of industrial robots flexible systems. analysis reported detail Miller (1983). These from two different perspectives. technological focus first perspective narrowly confined robotic manipulators. It assumed that manipulators will “retrofitted” into existing facilities without making major changes organization within factory, other than modifying individual work stations so can replace one (or perhaps several) operators. critical variable an estimate percent worker jobs replaced by robots. Reductions cost calculated assuming a given percentage reduced. Cases also considered where robot results moderate increase output as well decrease requirements. question whether decreases could offset demand stimulated reduction price analyzed.