The world of manufacturing has undergone seismic shifts since 2019, with the rapid adoption of robotics across industries taking center stage. In a recent episode of Autoline After Hours, Mike Cicco, President and CEO of Fanuc America, sat down with host John McElroy and a panel of industry experts to discuss the state of automation in the US and beyond.
Cicco noted that while automotive still accounts for roughly half of robot sales domestically, non-automotive sectors are quickly closing the gap. “E-commerce is probably the fastest growing one because it’s growing from nothing,” he explained, highlighting warehousing and logistics as prime examples. Food processing, particularly in the wake of COVID-19 concerns, is another area where robots are making significant inroads.
“Today’s generation grew up with technology. They’re not afraid to push buttons and get in there. Embrace the fact that these students grew up with it. Give them the tools. Let them run, be there to guide them kind of like a shepherd.”
The conversation also touched on the expanding versatility of robotic systems, from small-scale precision tasks to heavy lifting and beyond. Cicco pointed to advancements in artificial intelligence as a key driver of this flexibility, enabling robots to dynamically adapt to their environment and reducing the time and skill required for programming.
One of the most notable developments in recent years has been the rise of collaborative robots, or cobots, designed to work safely alongside human operators. This shift is prompting manufacturers to fundamentally rethink their processes, optimizing for the strengths of both humans and machines.
“Now with collaborative robots, what you can do is you can bring all of that closer together,” Cicco explained. “Say I was doing something on this cup holder, but you needed to do something on it, too. So I’m the robot, and I’m doing something robotic, and then I can literally just put it here, and then you can take it and do the person thing on it, and then you can move it down there, and another robot can do it, and everyone’s just standing next to each other, and everyone’s doing the things that they’re best at.”
When it comes to bipedal humanoid robots, however, Cicco was more skeptical. “I don’t think that a bipedal robot is better,” he stated bluntly, arguing that purpose-built robots are more efficient than attempting to replicate the human form.
Despite lagging behind countries like Germany, China, and Korea in robot density, the US is poised for significant growth as acceptance of automation accelerates. Fanuc is working to support this transition through its educational initiatives, placing robots in over 1,600 schools across North America with a focus on high schools and community colleges.
Retraining the existing workforce will be equally critical, a challenge that may require government support and public-private partnerships. But Cicco is optimistic about the future, envisioning a manufacturing landscape where humans and robots work side-by-side, each excelling at what they do best.
As the US looks to bring more manufacturing back onshore, automation will be key to remaining cost-competitive. By changing perceptions of manufacturing careers and empowering the next generation with advanced technology, the industry can evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world – with a little help from our robotic friends.
To hear the full conversation with Mike Cicco, check out the latest episode of Autoline After Hours wherever you get your podcasts. And for more insights on the future of manufacturing, be sure to subscribe to the Manufacturing Engineering Magazine.
