Plant Works & Engineering March 2022

10 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk March 2022 Insight – Talking Industry R obot density is a metric used to compare different levels of automation in different economies. Globally, the average robot density has almost doubled in five years to 126 units/10,000 employees in 2020. But the UK is the only G7 country with a robot density below the world average. The five most automated countries in the world are South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Germany and Sweden. However, current circumstances, pressures and incentives may see the UK begin to move up the league table. The first speaker, Mike Wilson of the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), set the scene for this panel discussion with an assessment of the awareness of the potential and possibilities in the UK. What educational and financial support is available? Automation strategy Like the speakers who followed, Mike highlighted the importance of developing an automation strategy, in the same way that you develop a business plan. Figure out where you want to be in 10 years, and how to get there, not only in terms of the equipment you’re going to use, but also how are you going to develop the workforce, develop the skills, and so on and undertake that as a business improvement strategy. Safety issues The second speaker was Martin Kidman, Product Manager (UK & Ireland) – Safety Solutions at Sick (UK). He emphasised that, for robotic applications, each safety concept is unique. The robots provide the muscle, but think also about the brain – the safety related parts of the control system. We all know that robots Talking Industry: Robotics, automation, investment support and Net Zero Talking Industry’s Andy Pye reports on another successful Talking Industry discussion on robotics and automation in the UK. Are we seeing the first signs that the lag in investment is finally beginning to turn? Talking Industry