______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Policy
Why robotics is becoming necessary
America’ s AI, energy and defense ambitions rely on smaller manufacturers to supply specialized components and equipment. Large project owners can turn to overseas suppliers, but doing so reduces control over delivery schedules and introduces supply-chain risk. Meanwhile, domestic capacity is already strained. Long lead times for transformers, switchgear and other critical electrical equipment are delaying projects and raising costs. US manufacturers must increase production before those bottlenecks become even more severe.
The workforce challenge adds urgency. US manufacturers may need to fill roughly 3.8 million jobs over the next decade, with many positions at risk of going unfilled, according to the Manufacturing Institute. Robotics can help by taking on repetitive or‘ dull, dirty, dangerous’ work while employees move into more technical roles.
The good news is that automation has become more approachable. Manufacturers don’ t need to automate an entire plant at once. They can start with one bottleneck that is slowing production, straining workers or limiting growth.
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