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13 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 9, 2021 NOMINATION DEADLINE: AUGUST 19. 2021 GO TO >> HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM/HBJ-EVENTS CLICK ON HEALTHCARE HEROES FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO NOMINATE PHYSICIAN NURSE INNOVATION (INDIVIDUAL AWARD) INNOVATION (ORGANIZATION AWARD) VOLUNTEER HEALTH CARE STAFF HEALTHCARE PREVENTION MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER URGENT CARE OPERATOR SKILLED AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY FIRST RESPONDER The Health Care Heroes Awards identifies outstanding leaders in the healthcare industry who are the epitome of a "hero." Whether they are companies, doctors, nurses, specialists or managers, join us in recognizing those who embody the word "hero" and prove their excellence in helping others. CATEGORIES FOR NOMINATION: PRODUCED BY: EVENT PARTNER: SUPPORTING SPONSOR: PRESENTING SPONSORS: EDUCATION LEADERSHIP SPONSOR: MAJOR SPONSORS: prompted by the need to move at faster speeds as they adjusted to constraints with their workforce, suppliers and customers. Additionally, the report noted that 82% of manufacturers surveyed have implemented, piloted or are considering Industry 4.0 technology. As component parts for robots — like cameras, sensors, lasers, and scanners — become less expensive, the overall cost of robotic automation has dropped, too, says Jim Mail, regional sales manager for ABB Robotics, one of the world's leading robotics and machine automation suppliers that sells to Connecticut- based companies. That's enabled small and mid-sized businesses to incorporate more automated technology. "As costs have gone down, the return on investment has gone up," Mail said. One of the fastest growth areas in robotics is in distribution logistics and warehouse automation. Amazon, for example, uses robots to move massive amounts of inventory at its warehouses, including in Connecticut. Sweedish lockmaker ASSA ABLOY uses various robotic and automated technologies at its Berlin manufacturing plant on Episcopal Road. That includes cobots, or collaborative robots that operate alongside workers to perform actions that don't require the skill of a human. For example, a cobot equipped with grippers picks up a mortise lock body from another fabrication process and sends it to a line worker who performs late-stage assembly or lock customization. Today, Mail says, machines are being designed with artificial intelligence and machine-learning capabilities, so they can not only pick up an object, for example, but distinguish among various factors, like different bar codes. "There are vision systems [with some robots] that help [the machine] make decision-tree type decisions," he said. Upskilling workers Another advantage of automation, Mail says, is it allows companies to use machines to handle mundane, repeatable work and upskill employees to perform higher-level tasks. Such upskilling is a major focus and concern in the manufacturing industry, especially in Connecticut, which continues to face a workforce shortage. There are thousands of available jobs in the industry today. The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute, of which UConn is a member, notes the lack of continual re-skilling as one of the sector's top challenges, along with a U.S. educational system that is insufficient for advanced manufacturing careers. CCAT's Angelo understands those challenges. He says programs like the First Robotics Competition, a nationwide robotics program at the high-school level, have been great, but more needs to be done at the college level, which is why he is encouraged by UConn introducing its robotics major. "Jobs that become available because of automation will grow exponentially in the manufacturing trade," Angelo said. "We'll need programmers and coders [in manufacturing], the type of skills that were traditionally attractive to the insurance and financial services and healthcare industries." Chandy said he hopes UConn's newest major will help create and grow a robotics ecosystem of startups in Connecticut over time to support in-state companies. For now, he and his colleagues in the engineering department are preparing for the first class of robotics majors next fall. He expects the program might attract 30 to 40 students in its inaugural year but is hopeful that number will swell to 300 students in the years ahead. Ron Angelo John Chandy A cobot, or collaborative robot, used at ASSA ABLOY's Berlin manufacturing plant can perform functions that do not require the skill of a human. PHOTO| CONTRIBUTED