Japan Is Building Robots To Replace Its Aging Workforce

While the rest of the world is worried that automation will make their jobs obsolete, Japan is scrambling to make sophisticated robots that can help it do exactly this as its workforce ages. This is especially the case in construction, where a significant number of workers are set to retire soon and there are not enough people to replace them. Unfortunately, even with robots, the challenges are still steep.

Among the biggest problems with using machines to replace humans in building entire skyscrapers is the sheer absence of versatility. Humans can easily scale beams and walls, but robots are still unable to do so. As Bloomberg also points out, it takes about 500,000 workers to erect even just one 30-story building.

Robots can replace workers by the dozens or even hundreds, depending on the task. Telemarketing can see an artificial intelligence take over for an entire floor or even building of workers, if necessary. This just isn’t the same with construction.

Among the companies that are trying to build enough robots to at least soften the blow of the retirement of many construction workers in Japan is the Shimizu Corp. and it’s trying to do so by building machines that can weld or install ceiling panels. Robots aren’t exactly a strange sight in construction these days, either, so this isn’t surprising.

Unfortunately, as one of the company’s general manager in its construction technology division, Masahiro Indo points out, there are limitations to what these robots can do. Mobility is a particularly huge problem that still doesn’t have a viable solution.

“The biggest difference is that factory robots are made with the expectation that they will remain in the same place,” Indo said. “We wanted the arms to be mounted on a moving platform and most robot makers said that’s not possible.”

There’s also the matter of safety, Futurism notes, which can make the inclusion of robots a problem. Workers prefer to put some distance between them and the machines to avoid injury, which can get in the way of productivity. Suffice it to say, robotics technology just isn’t up to par yet.