Automation

We can define automation, defined as the application of technology to processes and tasks within a system with the aim of minimising human intervention. Although nowadays the automation Whilst technology is advancing by leaps and bounds thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, there are jobs that have been undergoing automation since the dawn of time.

Although it must have taken centuries before humankind was able to to automate Amongst these processes, one energy-related invention that was widely used in the Middle Ages was the waterwheel. This large wheel transmitted energy to a series of mechanisms designed for grinding and pressing grain, harnessing the driving force of water, thereby automating the entire process and eliminating the need for human physical labour.

What is industrial automation?

Technological advances and innovations have led to the automation of day-to-day processes of human beings, particularly in industrial work processes. Consequently, advances in automation have given rise to new disciplines such as robotics.

Thus, Industrial automation involves the implementation of technologies in industrial factories which carry out and monitor specific work processes (manufacturing, quality control and packaging) independently, replacing human workers.

The original aim of industrial automation was to increase productivity and reduce the workforce, which resulted in significantly lower costs and higher profit margins. Today, beyond simply improving business profitability, industrial automation also lightens the workload in certain jobs – particularly physically demanding ones – and helps to improve their ergonomics.

Robotics in industrial automation

Robotics is a branch of engineering that deals with the design, construction and programming of robots, In other words, programmable machines capable of carrying out tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously. 

The industrial automation It cannot be understood without the development of robotics, and the emergence of robotics would not be understood without the need to automate processes in factories. Robotics is therefore a discipline that combines electronics and communications, which emerged as a result of the introduction of robots into factories in the mid-20th century.

The first robotic innovation in the field of industrial automation was the Unimate robotic arm, with six degrees of freedom, and its successful implementation on the assembly line for vehicle manufacturing.

Automation and artificial intelligence (AI)

AI refers to the ability of certain machines to perform tasks that require human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning and decision-making. So far, Automation, particularly industrial automation, involved machines that carry out a set of pre-programmed actions and standardised without any discernment whatsoever.

However, the AI It can indeed provide robots with advanced capabilities in perception, understanding and adaptability. 

For example, AI-based computer vision systems can identify and classify objects on a production line, enabling robots to carry out picking and packing tasks autonomously depending on the type of work. In other words, it would give these machines the ability to decide what to pick and how to pack it.

What is marketing automation?

However, Automation should not be limited solely to robotics and factories, even though that is precisely where it all began. This technological phenomenon has moved beyond physical workplaces and is having an impact on a wide range of disciplines: from agriculture to sales, and from graphic design to transport. One of the most popular areas for automation is marketing in a digital context.

Marketing automation refers to the use of software and technological toolsto carry out marketing tasks more efficiently and effectively. These automated tools can help to simplify and optimise a range of marketing activities, such as campaign management, customer tracking, sending emails, data analysis and message personalisation.