A factory in Japan has begun to share its work in quality-control inspection with the world. Musashi Seimitsu Industry, which is located just south of Toyota City, uses robotic technology to innovate its manufacturing procedure. 

For instance, a robotic arm would pick up gear and scan it for any surface flaws in just a matter of two seconds. This type of technology not only simulates the ability of highly-trained employees who can check approximately 1,000 units each shift, but also provides relief to those workers from repetitive tasks. 

“Inspecting 1,000 of the exact same thing day-in day-out requires a lot of skill and expertise, but it’s not very creative,” Hiroshi Otsuka, the chief executive officer at Musashi Seimitsu Industry, informed Reuters. “We’d like to release workers from those tasks.”

Although the use of robotic technology is not exactly new, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the way businesses approach labour. This is especially the case for quality control services that take place on the floor of a factory. 

Rather than risking the health and safety of employees, manufacturers across the globe have increased their use of robots for the sake of quality control and other forms of work such as remote monitoring. 

For Japan, in particular, such an approach differs from the more traditional one of “genchi genbutsu,” which refers to a “go-and-see” method. This method requires employees to constantly and vigilantly monitor different aspects of the production line in order to identify any flaws.

When Toyota Motor Corp was asked about embracing newer methods of quality control, a spokesperson from the company said that they were always looking for ways to improve manufacturing processes. Automation has a part in this, however, only when it’s reasonable to do so. 

As technological innovations continue to change the way businesses and their employees operate, it is important to consider the pros and cons of adapting to such innovations. On one hand, automation can provide speed when it comes to production lines, however, on the other, mistakes can occur if there are errors within the program or software.

Additionally, as robotic technology continues to become more accurate in detecting flaws than their human counterparts, it is important to consider the labour market and types of positions businesses require in the future. 

Consulting with a team of marketing and business experts at Find Your Audience would be a step in the right direction when it comes to identifying which processes can or should be automated. In addition to the production of manufacturing lines, automation can occur in instances of online customer service, telephone calls, or self service lines at brick-and-mortar locations. 

To book a thorough consultation and begin taking your business to the future, contact the Find Your Audience team at either 647-479-0688 or hi@findyouraudience.online.