Episode 119: Robotics for small manufacturers - Will Kinghorn

Robot Talk · 2 May 2025 · 24m · Episode 119

What this episode covers

Will Kinghorn, an automation specialist at the UK government-funded Made Smarter program, discusses strategies for helping small and medium-sized manufacturers adopt robotics. He identifies key barriers such as the perception of high costs, lack of awareness of available technologies, and skills gaps, while highlighting the growing accessibility of collaborative robots for bespoke production. Kinghorn also addresses the role of AI in manufacturing, emphasizing current limitations regarding safety and traceability in regulated industries like aerospace, and notes that automation typically leads to hiring rather than job displacement.

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