Manufacturing companies face many challenges; from lack of skilled workforce, consumerism trends to inventory and project management. Globalization of business has presented a different set of challenges with increasing overheads and lack of automation in supply chains and sourcing of raw materials. In this article we will explain how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help get ahead of these challenges.  

Automation and robotics are not new to the manufacturing industry, since 1980s manual processes were automated to enhance production numbers, save wastage and time. However, this automation or early evolution of AI was for cyclic tasks such as assembling products or parts, sorting and moving commodities. Algorithms that enabled these machines to do advanced calculations, precise movements were introduced in 1990s where some basic decision making was used by robotic control systems. With time production methods became robust with AI led monitoring and quality checks.

These days continuous improvements are being made to manufacturing lines, with the help of AI and robotics, advanced sensors relaying valuable data has helped in enhanced productivity with quality and reduced workforce. Application of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) has enabled limited decision-making capabilities in robots mimicking humans, further development in this area will transform the industry more rapidly.

Production processes have drastically improved by leveraging Machine learning algorithms, insights from data sourced from AI-enabled robots, cognitive systems like vision, infrared and other sensors. This allows surgical precision in quality control and reduce operational costs.

Remember hearing, robots will take your jobs, well in manufacturing robots have been eliminating manual jobs since 1980s and have enabled human resources to be utilized on more core business functions. With more sophisticated algorithms, increased speed and precision, less human involvement is required. A car assembly line is a great example; robots without breaking a sweat can assemble car parts in less time, with high precision and pin point accuracy, minimizing costs and producing more. Manufacturers face less downtime as sensors quickly identify the issues with a certain part or a machinery.