Robots, Cobots to Revolutionize Automotive Manufacturing

Personal transportation is revolutionizing not only through innovative breakthroughs that make vehicles more efficient, sustainable and user-friendly, but through the manufacturing processes itself. Automotive manufacturing is going through a transformation of its own following the incorporation of robots and cobots, which increase speed, efficiency and safety.

The automation of manufacturing processes in the automotive industry dates back to the 1960s. As such, much optimization technology has already been adapted to complete different tasks throughout automation processes. From robot arms installing different auto-parts to bots handling customer services, automation has transformed the automotive industry worldwide, and Mexico is no different.

According to Nissan Motor Company, Mexico will lead Latin America in the electrification of the region’s automotive sector due to its strong 2021 sales percentage coming from the country despite COVID-19 challenges year-round. Mexico will “become number one in electrification for Latin America and also will begin [incorporating] new characteristics such as pro-pilots,” said Ashwanti Gupta, Global Operations Director, Nissan.

One of the emerging technologies bringing connective digitalization is collaborative robots (cobots). “Cobots are revolutionizing the automotive manufacturing industry in the best possible way: helping employees when the industry needs it most,” said Abraham Sosa, Key Account Sales Manager Latam, Universal Robots.

The automotive industry saw a difficult past couple of years after the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily shut down auto-manufacturing, greatly reduced mobility and led to a global shortage of semiconductors. Under these circumstances, some worry that the continued automation of manufacturing processes will result in a further reduction of jobs in the sector. Industry insiders, however, deny these claims. “These robots are not being created to replace human employees. They are destined to cover the labor shortage and make the workplace a safer and more productive environment, which the automotive industry needs at this time,” said Sosa.

Universal Robots is a Denmark-based manufacturer of collaborative robot arms with over 1,100 partners worldwide. It makes robotic technology accessible and easy to use for manufacturers worldwide, particularly in developing countries. These new technologies are bringing innovative solutions to the industry that are not meant to threaten or take away current jobs in the industry, as Sosa explains, but rather form a collaborative work resulting in more efficiency for everyone in the industry

Sosa will be joined by Jeff Burnstein, President, Association for Advancing Automation (A3), in Mexico on March 24 during the “Robots, Cobots and Manufacturing Automation” panel of Mexico Automotive Summit 2022. The panel will discuss these opportunities and the impact these technologies will have on the Mexican automotive industry. Tickets for the summit are available here. Join the future of B2B conferences now!