In a world where every pill must be perfect and human error is unacceptable, Danish robots Universal Robots decided to undergo the strictest medical "casting". Technicon Designs, a company specializing in pharmaceutical industry automation, has officially become a certified partner of UR. Now the cobots will work for the benefit of our health with the same zeal with which they used to assemble cars and pack goods.

The pharmaceutical industry is a special caste in the manufacturing world. Here, cleanliness is more important than efficiency, documentation is more extensive than the product itself, and any little thing can cost the company millions of dollars in fines. It would seem that what place is there for collaborative robots created for ordinary mortals? But no, they have been tested and proved that they can work in sterile conditions without a single complaint.

It is particularly ironic that robots that worked in automobile factories yesterday will be engaged in the production of medicines today. Just imagine: the same manipulator that recently twisted the nuts in the engine is now carefully arranging the tablets into blisters. Although, if you think about it, the principle is the same — accuracy, repeatability and absolute indifference to the monotony of the process.

Technicon Designs chose UR for a reason. These robots have all the qualities of an ideal pharmaceutical worker: they don't sneeze, they don't be late for their shift, they don't require coffee breaks, and, most importantly, they don't spread germs. Although, to be fair, humans shouldn't do this in clean rooms either — but robots definitely won't violate protocol.

Of course, skeptics may notice that using relatively simple cobots in such a high—tech industry is like inviting a student to a complex surgical operation. But the developers claim that the robots will cope with tasks such as packaging, palletizing and moving materials between zones. Although it is unlikely that they will be entrusted with the development of a formula for a new drug — for now.

The funny thing about this whole story is the seriousness with which everything is happening. Robots are certified, receive "admission" to work with medicines, and generally behave like exemplary employees. Soon, you see, they will start demanding medical insurance and parental leave.

However, do not be too ironic. If these machines help make the production of medicines safer and more efficient, perhaps someday they will earn their own white coat. The main thing is that they don't start writing prescriptions, otherwise they'll prescribe lube for everyone instead of medicine.