Robotics Systems Blog

I must confess; I'm thinking of buying a robot vacuum for a friend as a gift. Do you think the holidays are a good growth opportunity for personal robots? If so, what can the industry do to improve their opportunities?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Robotics Systems, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Robotics Systems today.

As long as wealthy people pay less-fortunate people to do their dirty and dangerous tasks, social inequality will continue. Service robots can clean the 45^th-floor apartment as well as the windows outside. Will this help eliminate class distinctions — or simply shift job functions with less-wealthy people toiling to build the robots that do the cleaning?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Robotics Systems, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Robotics Systems today.

Today, employers have a long list of potential employees who have the skills and the knowledge to do the job. What differentiates a potential employee from a new hire is soft skills — leadership qualities, writing proficiency, and the ability to get along with others. While job skills are essential, it's often the soft skills that seal the offer. How do you identify, develop, package, and sell your soft skills?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Robotics Systems, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Robotics Systems today.

There are signs that the economy is beginning to recover, like an improving housing market and rising DOW. Some companies plan to handle their (hopefully) increasing workloads with current equipment and staff, taking a wait-and-see attitude. Others want to help stimulate the economy by purchasing equipment or hiring more workers. Which do you think is best?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Robotics Systems, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Robotics Systems today.

The changing face of warfare has created remote-controlled vehicles that soldiers can fire from a 'safe' distance. The next step is automated vehicles that fire weapons on their own, but that requires the automation respects rules of war. Do you think automated vehicles can apply the rules of war at least as well as, or perhaps better than, their human counterparts?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Robotics Systems, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Robotics Systems today.