Robotics industry professionals have long aspired to automate the world’s most dangerous jobs through advancements in heavy industry robotics or innovations that can do tasks that are inherently risky for humans. The probability of high-tech machines taking over specific positions is a much-discussed topic, but would that be bad if it kept people safer? How realistic is that prospect?

The answer depends on the particular applications. Robots exist to handle specific dangerous tasks — such as diffusing explosive devices or inspecting tall or remote structures. However, many researchers and other concerned parties are running trials and improving concepts in labs to create more broadly applicable machines.

Distancing People From Danger With Heavy Industry Automation

Although some heavy industry robotics applications are not yet at the point where they can run wholly without supervision, people can supervise and operate many of them remotely. Decision-makers in the mining industry have embraced those opportunities, allowing employees to stay safe distances from the action.

One company has an autonomous haulage system that is up to 15% more efficient than conventionally operated vehicles and runs continuously. The business has also deployed remotely managed drilling rigs and loaders that people can operate while staying far enough away from dust, debris and other mining-associated dangers.

These examples show that industrial leaders can make dangerous jobs safer, even when running them entirely without human oversight is impossible. Protection from potential accidents is much higher when people stay indoors or otherwise separated from mining site activities. However, decision-makers must plan deployments carefully while realizing that only some jobs are well-suited to automated machines.

Tasking Robots With Bomb-Diffusal Duties

Private companies, transit stations and other public-facing properties increasingly feature security robots on the grounds. Those machines generally support guards by providing video or audio footage of potential crimes in progress and other notable happenings. Employees use that data to assess the situation before encountering it, which could keep them safer through better preparedness.

Explosives are often central themes in today’s cinematic thrillers, showing characters who must deactivate those devices before their timers run out. The people who do that dangerous task in real life receive rigorous training, but their roles are never danger-free. That may change soon, though, as researchers explore whether robots can do the job.

Scientists working for the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence led four days of live trials where robots detected and diffused bombs. They also tested how well the machines could perform more general tasks necessary for investigating explosives, such as opening doors and climbing stairs.

The results showed the robots could reduce potential harm faced by explosive-diffusing experts, including by performing more tasks remotely. Additionally, these machines could perform delicate and precise actions, reducing burdens on humans.

Focusing on the Jobs Humans Do Not Want

Many researchers devote their time to developing robots that can take over the most undesirable jobs. For example, heavy industry automation can prevent injuries, and innovations can perform boring and heavily repetitive work. Viable solutions could close labor shortages and give people more time to spend on rewarding, mentally stimulating and less dangerous tasks.

Even the most advanced robots are not immediately safe. People must make them that way by making thoughtful design choices to lower risks. For example, robots’ cables and wires are essential for allowing the machines to transfer data, receive signals and maintain other foundational functionality.

However, designers and users should rely on cable management systems to maintain safety. Options such as sleeves, ties and wraps protect the cables from daily wear and abrasion that could shorten their useful lives. Such measures also reduce tripping hazards for wires near the floor. The appropriate safety measures vary based on the surrounding environment and how a company uses robots to minimize human involvement in dangerous or dull tasks.

Some researchers hope to minimize dangers in the construction industry, which contains numerous risks, even for well-trained workers. One group is working on several related projects, including one that allows a single operator to remotely supervise several machines on sites at once. They can oversee robots that safely perform tasks humans once did.

Making this option widely available requires improving 3D mapping technologies that allow robots to recognize their environments. That enables the machines to respond to fluctuating environments. Robots cannot take over all undesirable or risky jobs yet, but work such as this is meaningful in facilitating that possibility.

Teaching Robots to Do Undesirable Jobs

Designing robots with the capabilities to handle dangerous jobs or those humans often dislike for other reasons is part of the goal. Still, engineers must also build machines with the environmental awareness to solve highly complex problems they will likely encounter while operating. One research team has turned its attention to an artificial intelligence-based approach to meet that need.

Those involved hope to create a toolkit from algorithms, real-world models and language data. The idea is that robots exposed to the content can combine it with their experience, using all those aspects to create reusable, high-level actions. The machines can then develop new plans for addressing complex problems without requiring further human input.

This work is still at a relatively basic level. For example, as of August 2024, a robot trained with this system was given instructions to pick up and put down a plate and bowl. The researchers hope it will eventually be able to clear away dishes after a meal without receiving information that programming experts usually code by hand.

Successes that shorten human-driven training could make automation more accessible to industrial decision-makers who lack the resources to handle it. These achievements will further overall research in this area, showing industrial robotics’ potential.

Opening Opportunities in Heavy Industry Robotics and Beyond

No matter what happens with the efforts here and elsewhere, decision-makers considering bringing more robots or similar solutions to workplaces should continue including humans in their plans. This will ensure robotic creations enrich people’s workplace experiences rather than replace their labor.

Staying informed about robotics developments is also important. Then, those interested in deploying advanced machines for dangerous tasks will remain aware of the most relevant vendors, applications and other particulars.