60 Minutes looked at the jobless recovery and the replacement of workers with automation and robotics.
* automated warehouses (Nextbigfuture looked at distribution warehouse automation )
Swisslog builds modularized conveyors, stacker cranes, row rovers (called carriers) and autonomous tugs as well as their new AutoStore robots. Swisslog can handle open-case light goods and pallet/case systems. Swisslog provides European style material handling often characterized by high capital and operating costs and lots of mechanical devices. They enjoy very high productivity and space utilization in return. Swisslog claims that their methods maximizes both vertical and horizontal space enabling them to process up to 1,000 picks per hour. This is six times better than Amazon’s previous automation system from just a couple of years ago.
* IBM Watson is being used in call centers and on Wall Street
* Rethink Robotics’ Baxter robot
* US manufacturing jobs are leaving China and returning to robots in the US
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Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.