Navigating the road to automation and challenges of robotics at scale

By Michel Spruijt 27 Nov 24 Reading time: 4 mins

More businesses are feeling the pressure to automate. Rising labour costs, a competitive economic climate, and rapid advancements in AI are driving companies toward automation as a way to drive efficiency. Yet leaders face what can feel like the daunting task of navigating a road to innovation that’s filled with operational and technical uncertainty.

Recent advancements in machine learning and AI-driven navigation are making robotic automation more adaptable to complex, real-world settings. Solutions with real-time adaptation capabilities reduce setup time, improve accuracy, and enable businesses to scale operations efficiently. Sectors like retail, manufacturing, and logistics are prime candidates for robotic solutions in areas like cleaning, inventory scanning and facility management. But achieving this evolution to automation at scale presents its own set of hurdles to be overcome.

Challenges of robotics at scale

The challenges of scaling robotics are multifaceted. Regulations on data and security vary across countries. Languages, cultural differences and diverse skill levels within teams can impact how efficiently robotics are implemented on a global scale.

A survey by Automate UK highlights that 30% of respondents lack the resources and knowledge to support large-scale automation. Oxford Insights also notes that attitudes toward “AI readiness” differ widely across EU regions. This demonstrates a growing recognition of automation’s importance, yet many companies lack a comprehensive strategy for adoption.

With years of experience deploying one of the largest global fleets of autonomous robots, I’ve seen the complexities of scaling automation firsthand. For any leaders seeking guidance, here are some misconceptions to be aware of, and tips on how to move forward.

Hidden costs and common challenges

A major hurdle when it comes to the introduction of automation is the lack of awareness about the hidden costs, time, and resources associated with a business’s current manual operations. While caution is essential, a key question I find that often goes unasked is: What is the cost of inaction?

In logistics, robotics can streamline repetitive picking and packing tasks and provide real-time updates on inventory. In healthcare, robots perform sterile transport, reducing cross-contamination risks and allowing staff to prioritise patient care. In retail, the hours and labour costs associated with manual cleaning alone can be substantial. By automating these processes, companies can realise significant time and cost savings, while also driving better experiences for their teams and customers.

As an example of this, US retailer Sam’s Club deployed over 600 autonomous floor scrubbers equipped with inventory scanning technology. These robots now capture more than 23 million images daily for inventory management, taking an estimated one hundred million mundane tasks off employees’ plates annually, according to CEO Chris Nicholas.

Another challenge lies in integrating AI technology with existing systems. Adding automation to established workflows and legacy systems is often complex and resource-intensive. This is where partnering with experienced providers is invaluable, if not vital. An ideal partner offers not only a proven track record but also a network of support to fit a company’s specific needs and footprint.

Opportunities in automation at scale

In my experience, automation presents a key opportunity to upskill staff, accelerating the adoption of autonomous technologies. Establishing a program to both implement the technology and train staff in monitoring results can maximise the effectiveness of an automation program. For example, an organisation aiming to drastically cut the need for manual cleaning can achieve this far more effectively through analysing operational data and creating protocols.

Robotic machines can be optimised to work when it’s most efficient to do so, timing activity when there’s low foot traffic, or alternatively doubling up cycles during peak times when areas need additional cleaning to maintain safety.

Investment in collaborative robots, or ‘cobots’, is also paving the way for flexible work environments where humans and robots complement each other’s roles. Cobots are particularly valuable for companies with complex workflows, as they adapt to existing processes without fully replacing human involvement, facilitating smoother integration with automation.

With robots handling mundane, repetitive or more dangerous tasks, staff can direct their energy toward higher-value, more specialised activities, such as enhancing customer experiences or tasks that require higher levels of consideration and product solving.

Another benefit is in mitigating the impacts of labour shortages, a growing issue for many businesses. Automation can provide support, alleviating workload for overstretched teams and enabling companies to invest more in retaining and developing their current workforce while expanding into new areas that may have previously been resource-constrained.

Preparing for the future of automation

Navigating the path to robotics at scale requires strategic planning, partnerships, and a focus on continuous improvement. As automation becomes an increasingly important component for maintaining competitiveness, businesses that delay this shift may risk falling behind.

The road to scalable robotics can be challenging but the opportunities are immense – both in operational improvements and in enhancing customer and employee experiences. The future of work is here, and companies that adopt automation thoughtfully will be well-positioned to lead it.

Michel Spruijt / Guest writer

Michel Spruijt is President at Brain Corp International.