Train current workers to work with collaborative robots
Considering the workers currently working on the factory floor, their training has become an important part of the thinking of unions. To make the process of operating employees more efficient, Francesco Messano – Italian Association of Metal Workers UILM has proposed that instruction in the use of collaborative robots become mandatory by adding tasks into Metal workers’ agreement.
To make the most of the resources allocated for the training of industrial personnel, this should be included in national agreements. I suggest providing specific training on collaborative robots… This is a solution that has the potential to ensure worker safety by eliminating accident rates, while increasing the productivity of companies. Ultimately, this is also a tool to upskill workers, bringing new skills.”
Francesco Messano, UILM union representative This final reflection is in keeping with the spirit of this article and the Collaborative Robots Charter. Because this proposal would provide workers with the skills needed to keep up with technological advances in factories, and this is exactly what cobots are doing. On the one hand, they act as a catalyst to reshape work tasks, allowing employees to learn valuable skills. On the other hand, they put people at the center of the production process and put control of production back in their hands. One of the first campaign slogans used by Universal Robots was: “Enabling people”, and that’s exactly what cobots are still doing.
If you would like to read the full version of the Ideal Charter for Collaborative Robots, you can find the full document here. If you want to explore more deeply the interview behind the ideas in this text, Collaborative Robots Overview Report see here. However, please note that the original document is written in Italian. Written by Gloria Sormani. Gloria is country managing director for Italy. She joined Universal Robots in 2020 and has since helped companies innovate – cobots are now a vision.
