Boston Dynamics - Introducing Stretch
- Thread starter EviLore
- Start date
poodaddy
Member
I've worked many warehouse jobs before, and I can assure you that warehouse jobs are secure and in no danger whatsoever with the speed that thing can load and unload; these are fast paced work environments and that just wouldn't cut it. Now, if it gets a bit faster? Then yeah, that could start cutting into jobs, but I think it's relatively large size would make navigation through cramped warehouses pretty challenging. I know for a fact it wouldn't be able to move through the food warehouse I've been volunteering at. Over all, it's impressive, but I can't see any warehouse manager seeing these as more useful or cost effective than a 22 year old making 15 an hour.
triplestation
Member
thats dummy from iron man 1
infinitys_7th
Member
The dogbot's gait has always been disconcerting to me as well. It's really weird.
This robot is also clearly specialized for small, relatively light, uniform boxes stacked perfectly. If you have stuff that requires a fork or alligator grip to unload, I'd say it will be tremendously more challenging, at least based on the warehouses I've been around, where how things were stored and staged changed constantly.
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On a good day, the pallets have soda stacked on top of cereal
J
JeremyEtcetera
Unconfirmed Member
Pretty much this. If anything this video is just a warning shot for years to come. Right now they're simply too slow. Businesses favor speed, because speed equals good ratings which equals more purchases.
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Yoda
Member
The bot's arm has suction cups on it.
I think most of Amazon's warehouses operate 24/7, so the speed this bot works at is important. It's current speed isn't fast enough to replace humans, but give it a few more iterations + a warehouse design around it's strengths so to speak, then I bet these would have higher overall productivity.
sunnysideup
Banned
Alot of warehouses are already fully automatized.
Men_in_Boxes
Snake Oil Salesman
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JeremyEtcetera
Unconfirmed Member
You still need the human element to account for parameters the robot can't account for. At best you might have slightly less overnight staff or slightly less workload for said staff.Yeh but these work 24/7
No holidays.
natjjohn
Member
They will eventually mostly get axed or replaced with someone with different skill set (experience with these machines). I don't think companies will procure with the thought of creating a lighter workload for their existing staff. Just a hunch here
GeorgPrime
Banned
Yeh but these work 24/7
No holidays.
And you can get rid of one important cost factor "Salary" maybe not fully but you can still reduce it significantly
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The Lunch Legend
GAF's Nicest Lunch Thief and Nosiest Dildo Archeologist
Yeah? But can robots do this,
GeorgPrime
Banned
Yeah? But can robots do this,
the last one is quite possible if they dont get calibrated the right way
The_Mighty_X
Banned
This is like a Model T. Future versions will be much small / faster. Trucks will be loaded by them. The truck itself will be driverless. No smoke breaks, no laying out drunk. No needing to leave early cuz my baby ain't got a sitter past 4 and I dont trust Terry to watch her but I promise it's just this one time.
"Robots took my joooooooooob"
"Robots took my joooooooooob"
Great Hair
Banned
Vicetrailia
Banned
It's take cool tech but won't work at the current iteration. Trailers, especially floorstacked trailers don't come like that.
Alright
Banned
This isn't new tech, Knapp, AB robots and dimatic (to name a few) all make similar machinery. Robots are great for repeat, precise movements, but fall apart when anything is even a little out of line or they break.
And the cost of these things is astronomical (a six axis robot will set you back £500,000 plus training to learn how to repair it, plus warranty, plus parts, plus storage for said parts) for that money you could pay 250 warehouse workers for a year, or 25 for ten years.
Manual labour and working class trade jobs are safe as houses. They aren't going anywhere for a long, long time.
What you should be shitting yourself over is the office jobs. When SAP is maintained and run correctly, you don't need a supply chain department, which thins out your QA. All HR is following legislation which could be done by an Indian call centre. Health and safety can be placed with algorithms and Indians. Maintenance management can be replaced by SAP.
Basically, if you don't do something physical in your job, it's about to get shipped overseas
And the cost of these things is astronomical (a six axis robot will set you back £500,000 plus training to learn how to repair it, plus warranty, plus parts, plus storage for said parts) for that money you could pay 250 warehouse workers for a year, or 25 for ten years.
Manual labour and working class trade jobs are safe as houses. They aren't going anywhere for a long, long time.
What you should be shitting yourself over is the office jobs. When SAP is maintained and run correctly, you don't need a supply chain department, which thins out your QA. All HR is following legislation which could be done by an Indian call centre. Health and safety can be placed with algorithms and Indians. Maintenance management can be replaced by SAP.
Basically, if you don't do something physical in your job, it's about to get shipped overseas
quickwhips
Member
This is great as no one likes warehouse jobs anyways. Now we can use our art degrees to make art out of the boxes the new machine workers came in to sell for millions of dollars.
Lupingosei
Banned
It will not replace but more be an addition. Some warehouses will work autonomously others will not.
But work will change, there is no doubt about that. Question is, how will we handle it.
But work will change, there is no doubt about that. Question is, how will we handle it.
Virt McPolygon
Banned
What the fuck is with this 100+ year-old recycled fear of "Machines will take all the jobs!" bullshit?
ChickenSandwichlover69
Banned
teeeeeyyyyyyy tuuuuurrrkkkk mmeeerrrrrr jeeerrrbss!
teehhhhh tuuurrrr
teehhhhh tuuurrrr
Lanrutcon
Member
Pretty impressive.
We can change machines to handle any environment or task unlike that 22 year old. They'll only get better at their function. The tech fueling them will only improve at a faster rate than ever and more importantly: get cheaper. Plus the warehouse environment will undoubtedly change to meet the robots as they are gradually implemented, just like it did for car assembly lines. That video probably secured a lot investors and made several companies take notice for the future.
We can change machines to handle any environment or task unlike that 22 year old. They'll only get better at their function. The tech fueling them will only improve at a faster rate than ever and more importantly: get cheaper. Plus the warehouse environment will undoubtedly change to meet the robots as they are gradually implemented, just like it did for car assembly lines. That video probably secured a lot investors and made several companies take notice for the future.
poodaddy
Member
I'm certain that's all true, just saying the dystopic, "machines took err jahbs!" future is much further off than people realize.
The_Mighty_X
Banned
Correct. Employees are the biggest expense to any company. Payroll, matching 401k benefits, matching SS and Medicare, missed time from work.
Trade all of that for just one guy to upkeep probably 10 robots in maintenance. It doesnt take breaks. Works 24/7/365. Zero errors.
The lack of general "bitching" you never have to hear from it makes it worth it.
poodaddy
Member
That you honestly believe this is how I know you've never worked with machinery or "workplace automation." The amount of time spent fixing the fuck ups and errors from the machines is nothing short of astounding. Machines are fucking rad, don't get me wrong, but there's a reason maintainers are paid so well man, these things go down constantly. I've worked in factories where machines had expected down time periods of more than 20 hours per week. That's two and a half shifts per week.
We ain't there yet.
