The era of robot workers is here, and businesses are exploring diverse avenues to integrate automated labor into their operations. From hiring robots for specific jobs to purchasing or leasing robotic assistants, companies now have unprecedented flexibility in embracing automation. This comprehensive article delves into the three primary models of employing robot workers, the strategic implications for modern enterprises, and the latest industry statistics and trends for 2023.

1. Hiring Robots for Specific Jobs Taking a cue from human staffing practices, technology giants and robotics startups are offering "Robotics as a Service" (RaaS), enabling businesses to hire robot workers for specific tasks and projects. Manufacturing powerhouses like Foxconn have been leasing robots from companies like Siasun to augment their human workforce on assembly lines.

The robotic workers take on repetitive, tedious, or hazardous tasks, such as precision assembly, heavy lifting, and working in hazardous environments. Human employees can then focus on higher-skilled processes that require problem-solving, dexterity, and uniquely human capabilities.

For businesses, hiring robotic labor provides access to automation without the substantial capital investment required for purchasing robotic hardware and infrastructure. It enables on-demand scaling of production capabilities, 24/7 operations, and flexibility to meet fluctuating workforce needs. The robotics providers handle training, maintenance, and integration, reducing the operational burden on the hiring company.

According to a report by Grand View Research, the global Robotics as a Service (RaaS) market size was valued at $12.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.7% from 2023 to 2030. The increasing demand for automation across various industries, coupled with the benefits of cost-effective and flexible robotic solutions, is driving the adoption of RaaS.

1. Purchasing Robots Outright On the other end of the spectrum, some companies are choosing to purchase their robot workers outright, treating them as capital equipment investments. Major industrial conglomerates like ABB and Yaskawa have entire divisions dedicated to robot sales, catering to factories, warehouses, construction firms, and other buyers seeking comprehensive automation solutions.

As autonomous mobile robots become more sophisticated, specialized makers like Boston Dynamics have found a ready market selling their advanced robots to businesses looking to automate security, inspection, materials handling, and monitoring roles across vast facilities.

The decision to buy or hire robots often hinges on factors such as upfront costs, maintenance responsibilities, integration efforts, and long-term scalability requirements. For permanent, core automation needs, purchasing robots may be more cost-effective than perpetually hiring contingent robot labor.

According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), global sales of industrial robots reached a new record high of 521,000 units in 2022, up 10% from the previous year. The IFR forecasts that global robot installations will continue to grow by around 10% per year until 2025, driven by the ongoing trend of automation and the need for increased productivity in manufacturing.

1. Leasing Robots for Temporary Needs Bridging the gap between hiring and purchasing is the option to lease robotic assistants for short-term periods or temporary needs. Companies like Secured Robotic Solutions offer robotic security guards and surveillance robots for lease, ideal for construction sites, major events, or interim workplace monitoring.

Leasing robots allows businesses to temporarily staff up robotic capabilities during peak demand periods, pilot automation solutions before committing to a purchase, or tackle short-term projects and tasks. It presents a low-risk, low-commitment way to test robotic solutions and assess long-term automation needs.

According to a report by Wintergreen Research, the global robotic leasing market is expected to reach $3.2 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 18.2% from 2022 to 2027. The report highlights the increasing demand for flexible and cost-effective robotic solutions, especially in industries such as logistics, construction, and healthcare, as a key driver for robotic leasing.

Managing a Hybrid Human-Robot Workforce Regardless of the employment model – hiring, purchasing, or leasing – companies will increasingly need to implement "robotic workforce management" capabilities. This includes technologies and processes for seamless scheduling, task routing, and performance monitoring across hybrid teams of human employees and robot workers.

Rather than entirely replacing humans, robotic coworkers will increasingly augment human labor for dull, dirty, repetitive, and dangerous jobs across industries. Accounting firm PwC estimates that up to 30% of jobs could be impacted by such robotic automation.

Companies will need tools to oversee workforce orchestration, measuring the impact of robotic assistants on enterprise productivity, quality, throughput, and human labor efficiency. Effective management of this hybrid workforce will be crucial for maximizing the benefits of human-robot collaboration.

According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global robotic workforce management software market is expected to grow from $2.1 billion in 2022 to $5.4 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 20.9% during the forecast period. The increasing adoption of robotic automation across industries, coupled with the need for efficient management of hybrid workforces, is driving the demand for robotic workforce management solutions.

The robotic workforce revolution provides businesses with unprecedented flexibility in deploying and scaling automation capabilities. Having multiple models for acquiring robotic labor through hiring, purchasing, or leasing robot workers will be a key competitive advantage. Determining the right mix of human talent and robotic assistance will be an ongoing strategic endeavor for companies across industries.

As businesses continue to embrace the robot workforce, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest trends, statistics, and best practices in this rapidly evolving field. By leveraging the various employment models for robot workers and effectively managing hybrid teams, companies can unlock new levels of productivity, efficiency, and operational excellence, positioning themselves at the forefront of the automation revolution.

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Step 1.
Assisting robot manufacturers in robot employment through: jobs hiring, sales and leasing. We will place your company on our platform and assist in the employment of your bots.

Step 2.
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Step 3.
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