I don't see him like a robot. I see him like a person

by Steve BoeseOn January 30, 2014 0 comments

A couple of years ago when I know I was one of the few folks in the space regularly writing about robots at work and the potential impacts that were going to be realized from these developments, I used to get a boatload of Google search traffic simply from keyword searches on the word 'robot'. These days, I see much less of that kind of search directed traffic, even though I am probably writing even more frequently about the topic.

But lately it seems like everyone in the HR/work/workplace blogosphere is talking, writing, and speculating about robots and the increasing automation of all kinds of work. While I do think that this increase and almost mainstreaming of attention on the topic is really quite needed, I also think that at some level we might be already getting a little tired of the topic, and are even beginning to tune out these messages.

So rather than run the latest piece about the newest advancement or application of robot or otherwise machine intelligence to a new form of work and issue off another warning about how you or your kids need to take this all very seriously as one day the robots will take all our jobs and leave us, well, trying to figure out what to do with ourselves, I decided to share a simple, short video about a specific application of new robot technology in the workplace, and let you decide what it might mean.

Embedded below, (email and RSS subscribers will need to click through), is a recent video from Rethink Robotics, the makers of the pretty amazing industrial robot known as Baxter. Baxter, you might have heard, represents an improvement to traditional stationary and bespoke, single-use manufacturing robots of the past. Baxter is flexible, can be easily programmed, and can work in very close proximity to people.

Check the video and pay particular attention to the comments of one of the plastics plant supervisors, a Ms. Martinez about what it is like working with (and supervising as it were) Baxter:

Really interesting, for a couple of reasons I think. Certainly the big, easy to remember line is when Ms. Martinez admits to 'seeing' Baxter like a person, like the person who would have previously had that job on the line that Baxter is now cheerfully, ceaselessly, performing. But we also hear some comments from the plastic factory leadership about how the cost savings and efficiency gains from automation are necessary to save jobs in the aggregate, even if the shift to Baxter(s) will cost at least some jobs in the process.

No matter if you take the 'robot threat' seriously, or think it all a bit silly, I think it does help to ground the conversation at least a little bit sometimes, and the experiences and observations of front line organizations, managers, and co-workers that are now, increasingly, co-existing with more and more advanced robotics are worth considering.

To read the original article on Steve Boese's HR Technology, please click here.

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Robotics

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HR Trends

Steve is the Co-Chair of Human Resource Executive Magazine’s HR Technology Conference, the leading global event for the HR Technology Industry, and a Technology Columnist and Editor for LRP Publications.

Additionally, Steve Co-founded H3HR Advisors Inc., and is a frequent author, speaker, and panel moderator on a diverse set of subjects related to Human Resources, HR Technology, and the workplace. He also created and co-hosts the popular podcast the “HR Happy Hour Show”, which is the most downloaded Human Resources podcast since its inception in 2009.

Previously, Steve was a Director of Talent Management Strategy for Oracle Corporation helping to create and deliver the next generation of Human Capital Management solutions. And before that, Steve led HR Systems in a corporate role for diverse industries like telecommunications and higher education.

Steve is also a leading HR and technology blogger and monthly HR technology columnist for Human Resource Executive Magazine. Steve has extensive expertise in Human Capital Management technologies from his experience working in Product Development & Strategy, in corporate HR leadership roles managing internal HR technology platforms and support teams, as a consultant leading project implementation teams, and finally as an HR technology industry influencer and thought leader from his perspective as the Chair of the HR Technology Conference, as a popular blogger, and the co-host of the HR Happy Hour Podcast.

Specific areas where Steve’s HR technology expertise can benefit corporate HR teams include:

Review of existing HR technology investments and recommendations for future HR technology strategy
Vendor selection process assistance and assessment of HR technology solution providers for your organization
HR technology implementation strategy development
Design and assessment of internal HR technology support teams
HR technology market education and advisory services to ensure organizational strategy alignment with market conditions

His unique perspective developed from experience in every side of the HR technology industry (product development, consulting, management, purchaser, and analyst), provides organizations insights and experience to solve their most pressing HR technology strategy, selection, assessment, implementation, and support needs.

To learn more about how H3HR Advisors can help your organization navigate the complex world of HR technology, contact Steve at steve@h3hr.com .

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I don't see him like a robot. I see him like a person

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