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Article
Publication date: 27 October 2023

Huijie Zhong, Xinran Zhang, Kam C. Chan and Chao Yan

Robots are widely used in industrial manufacturing and service industries around the world. However, most of the previous studies on industrial robots use data at the national or…

Abstract

Purpose

Robots are widely used in industrial manufacturing and service industries around the world. However, most of the previous studies on industrial robots use data at the national or industry level in the context of developed countries. This study examines the impact of imported industrial robots on firm innovation at the firm level in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a large dataset of more than three million records in China, including non-publicly traded small and medium firms, the authors adopt a difference-in-differences method to investigate the impact and channels of industrial robots on firm innovation.

Findings

The authors find that the application of industrial robots increases firm innovation. Two possible channels are identified through which robots promote innovation: alleviation of financial constraints and the improvement of human capital. Further analysis shows that the effect of robots on innovation is more pronounced for firms that are highly dependent on external financing, belong to high-tech industries, import high-end robots, have insufficient supply of skilled labor and private firms (non-SOEs). The authors also find that industrial robots increase the firms' innovation quality and the marginal contribution of innovation to firms' total factor productivity.

Originality/value

This study provides big data evidence of the unintended positive consequences of industrial robots on firm innovation. The results are helpful to clarify the controversy of industrial robots. It also has important implications for government industrial policy making, firm innovation and human resource management.

Details

Journal of Accounting Literature, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-4607

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 September 2023

Hongfei Zhu, Xiekui Zhang and Baocheng Yu

This study aims to investigate whether the increasing robot adoption will affect employment rate and wages to contribute to the economic cycle and sustainable development in the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether the increasing robot adoption will affect employment rate and wages to contribute to the economic cycle and sustainable development in the world.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors introduce a two-way fixed effect model and ordinary least-squares (OLS) model to evaluate the influence based on relevant data of the eighteen countries with the largest robot stocks and robot densities in the world from 2006 to 2019 to test the influences and do the robustness test and endogeneity test by using empirical models.

Findings

The authors’ research findings suggest that increasing robot adoption can cause strong negative impacts on employment for both males and females in these economies. Second, the effect of robots on reducing job opportunities has penetrated different industries. It means that this negative impact of robots is comprehensive for the industry. Third, robot adoption can have a strong positive influence on wages and increase workers' incomes.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the study are that the influence of industrial intelligence technologies on the circular economy is diversities in different countries. Thus, this study should consider the development levels of different economies to do additional confirmatory studies.

Practical implications

This study makes out the correlations between industrial robots and the employment market from the circular economy perspective. The result proves the existence of this influence relationship, and the authors propose some suggestions to promote sustainable economic development.

Social implications

This paper addresses the activity of industrial intelligence technologies in the labor market. The employment market is an important part of the circular economy, and it will benefit social development if the government provides appropriate guidance for social investment and industrial layout.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few studies which considered the impact of industrial robots on employment and wages from the perspective of different industries, and this is very important for the circular economy in the world. The results of this paper provide an instructive reference for government policymakers and other countries to stabilize the labor market and optimize human resources for sustainable economic development.

Details

Management Decision, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1974

Y. Hasegawa

The robot has passed through a development period, and is now entering an era in which robots are being utilised by industry in production. In Japan, about 1500 robots are used on…

Abstract

The robot has passed through a development period, and is now entering an era in which robots are being utilised by industry in production. In Japan, about 1500 robots are used on production lines and more than 50 robot makers are supplying their products to the market. Many users have completed trials with industrial robots, and have reached the situation in which repeat orders are being sent to robot manufacturers as a potential way of improving productivity. Many of the robot makers have completed the initial development of their products, and in future will be promoting their sales to reap the benefits of these developments.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 1 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1981

Kanji Yonemoto

Japan is the world's leading user of industrial robots and its industrial robot association is a most active robot trade association. They publish regular statistics, this article…

Abstract

Japan is the world's leading user of industrial robots and its industrial robot association is a most active robot trade association. They publish regular statistics, this article by JIRA's executive director presents the figures and outlines the impact of robots up to the end of 1980.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 8 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1977

K. Yonemoto and K. Shiino

Japanese production of industrial robots amounted to US$34 million in 1973 (hereafter, calculate 1 US$ = Yens 270,‐). For the last couple of years, the demand stayed weak because…

Abstract

Japanese production of industrial robots amounted to US$34 million in 1973 (hereafter, calculate 1 US$ = Yens 270,‐). For the last couple of years, the demand stayed weak because of the slow down of industrial investment. However, the advancement of robot technology, the improvement cost‐performance of robots, and the active investment on the improvement of productivity and labour welfare in industries caused to increase the production of industrial robots up to $48 million in 1976 and will assure the future expansion of the robot market. (See Fig.1, Fig.2).

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 4 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Article
Publication date: 17 January 2020

Yang Chuangui, Mi Liang, Liu Xingbao, Xia Yangqiu, Qiang Teng and Lin Han

This paper aims to propose a reasonable method to evaluate uncertainty of measurement of industrial robots’ orientation repeatability and solve the non-linear problem existing in…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a reasonable method to evaluate uncertainty of measurement of industrial robots’ orientation repeatability and solve the non-linear problem existing in its evaluation procedure.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, a measurement model of orientation repeatability, based on laser tracker, is established. Secondly, some factors, influencing the measurement result of orientation repeatability, are identified, and their probability distribution functions are modelled. Thirdly, based on Monte Carlo method, an uncertainty evaluation model and algorithm of measurement of industrial robot’s orientation repeatability are built. Finally, an industrial robot is taken as the research object to validate the rationality of proposed method.

Findings

Results show that the measurement model of orientation repeatability of industrial robot is non-linear, and the proposed method can reasonably and objectively estimate uncertainty of measurement of industrial robots’ orientation repeatability.

Originality/value

This paper, based on Monte Carlo method and experimental work, proposes an uncertainty evaluation method of measurement of industrial robots’ orientation repeatability which can solve the non-linear problem and provide a reasonable and objective evaluation. And the stochastic ellipsoid approach is firstly taken to model the repeatability of laser tracker. Additionally, this research is beneficial to decide whether the orientation repeatability of the industrial robot meets its requirements.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 47 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 May 2017

Chuangui Yang, Junwen Wang, Liang Mi, Xingbao Liu, Yangqiu Xia, Yilei Li, Shaoxing Ma and Qiang Teng

This paper aims to propose a four-point measurement model for directly measuring the pose (i.e. position and orientation) of industrial robot and reducing its calculating error…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a four-point measurement model for directly measuring the pose (i.e. position and orientation) of industrial robot and reducing its calculating error and measurement uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

A four-point measurement model is proposed for directly measuring poses of industrial robots. First, this model consists of a position measurement model and an orientation model gotten by the position of spherically mounted reflector (SMR). Second, an influence factor analysis, simulated by Monte Carlo simulation, is performed to investigate the influence of certain factors on the accuracy and uncertainty. Third, comparisons with the common method are carried out to verify the advantage of this model. Finally, a test is carried out for evaluating the repeatability of five poses of an industrial robot.

Findings

In this paper, results show that the proposed model is better than the three-SMRs model in measurement accuracy, measurement uncertainty and computational efficiency. Moreover, both measurement accuracy and measurement uncertainty can be improved by using the proposed influence laws of its key parameters on the proposed model.

Originality/value

The proposed model can measure poses of industrial robots directly, accurately and effectively. Additionally, influence laws of key factors on the accuracy and uncertainty of the proposed model are given to provide some guidelines for improving the performance of the proposed model.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 44 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 August 2018

Yang Chuangui, Liu Xingbao, Yue Xiaobin, Mi Liang, Wang Junwen, Xia Yangqiu, Yu Hailian and Chen Heng

This paper aims to solve the nonlinear problem in the uncertainty evaluation of the measurement of the positioning repeatability (RP) of industrial robots and provide guidance to…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to solve the nonlinear problem in the uncertainty evaluation of the measurement of the positioning repeatability (RP) of industrial robots and provide guidance to restrict the uncertainty of measurement of RP (uRP).

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, some uncertain sources existing in the measurement procedure of RP are identified. Secondly, the probability distribution function (PDF) of every source is established on the basis of its measurements. Some spatial combined normal distributions are adopted. Then, a method, based on Monte Carlo method (MCM) and established measurement model, is developed for the estimation of uRP. Thirdly, some tests are developed for the identification and validation of the selected PDFs of uncertain sources. Afterwards, the proposed method is applied for the evaluation and validation of the uRP. Finally, influence analyses of some key factors are proposed for the quantification of their relative contributions to uRP.

Findings

Results show that the proposed method can reasonably and objectively estimate the uRP of the selected industrial robot, and changes of the industrial robots’ position and the laser trackers measurement are correlated. Additionally, the uRP of the selected industrial robot can be restricted by using the results of its key factors on uRP.

Originality/value

This paper proposes the spatial combined normal distribution to model the uncertainty of the repeatability of the laser tracker and industrial robot. Meanwhile, the proposed method and influence analyses can be used in estimating and restricting the uRP and thus useful in determining whether the RP of a tested industrial robot meets its requirements.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 45 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1979

E.I. Jurevich

In the USSR industrial robots (automatic manipulators) are considered to be one of the most important means of achieving complex industrial automation. They provide a means for…

Abstract

In the USSR industrial robots (automatic manipulators) are considered to be one of the most important means of achieving complex industrial automation. They provide a means for human emancipation from dangerous, hard and boring labour and solution to the problem of the more efficient use of labour resources. At present the programs for development, production and application of industrial robots are being implemented in the Soviet Union on the basis of a state integrated 5‐year plan covering the key branches of industry and involving the Academy of Sciences and Higher Educational Institutions. A second similar program will be completed by 1980. It is based on the principle of central state unification of the major components of robots, a series of standard sizes and consequently the development of robot‐equipped standard technological complexes. Simultaneously, research is being carried on in the development of the next generation of robot devices. Some other aspects of the problem are also being investigated including the development of methods for evaluating the economic efficiency of robot application as well as social aspects and training of personnel.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 6 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Article
Publication date: 11 August 2020

Bin Bai, Ze Li, Qiliang Wu, Ce Zhou and Junyi Zhang

This study aims to obtained the failure probability distributions of subsystems for industrial robot and filtrate its fault data considering the complicated influencing factors of…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to obtained the failure probability distributions of subsystems for industrial robot and filtrate its fault data considering the complicated influencing factors of failure rate for industrial robot and numerous epistemic uncertainties.

Design Methodology Approach

A fault data screening method and failure rate prediction framework are proposed to investigate industrial robot. First, the failure rate model of the industrial robot with different subsystems is established and then the surrogate model is used to fit bathtub curve of the original industrial robot to obtain the early fault time point. Furthermore, the distribution parameters of the original industrial robot are solved by maximum-likelihood function. Second, the influencing factors of the new industrial robot are quantified, and the epistemic uncertainties are refined using interval analytic hierarchy process method to obtain the correction coefficient of the failure rate.

Findings

The failure rate and mean time between failure (MTBF) of predicted new industrial robot are obtained, and the MTBF of predicted new industrial robot is improved compared with that of the original industrial robot.

Research Limitations Implications

Failure data of industrial robots is the basis of this prediction method, but it cannot be used for new or similar products, which is the limitation of this method. At the same time, based on the series characteristics of the industrial robot, it is not suitable for parallel or series-parallel systems.

Practical Implications

This investigation has important guiding significance to maintenance strategy and spare parts quantity of industrial robot. In addition, this study is of great help to engineers and of great significance to increase the service life and reliability of industrial robots.

Social Implications

This investigation can improve MTBF and extend the service life of industrial robots; furthermore, this method can be applied to predict other mechanical products.

Originality Value

This method can complete the process of fitting, screening and refitting the fault data of the industrial robot, which provides a theoretic basis for reliability growth of the predicted new industrial robot. This investigation has significance to maintenance strategy and spare parts quantity of the industrial robot. Moreover, this method can also be applied to the prediction of other mechanical products.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 47 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

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