Re:CEO of Waymo John Krafcik is leaving
by endisneigh on Friday April 02, 2021 @02:29PM
(#26674306)
My understanding is that with factory automation usually it's designed to the human is not in danger (usually they aren't even present at all). Are there factories that exist that are automated in a way where the human is exposed to a potentially lethal injury?
>Are there factories that exist that are automated in a way where the human is exposed to a potentially lethal injury?
Yes, but probably to a lesser extent than driving a car. Everything has sensors that are meant to identify a risk to a human and stop whatever operation poses that risk.
E.g., there may be robots picking thousands of pounds of parts and driving them around a facility but they stop if they sense a human a their path. Same for welding, stamping, etc. All those operations can injure or kill but unlike vehicles they can rely on the mitigation of “stop and wait”. It’s a much easier problem than self-driving
Edit: downvoting is fine but please at least add to the discussion by stating why you disagree. I’m speaking only from my personal experience working in factory automation and realize there’s probably a lot of differing experience