1,080 — Automating Production

This podcast was produced entirely by robots. Listen to see if you can tell the difference between it and our human episodes.
Slow dialog: 1:31
Explanations: 3:49
Fast dialog: 18:10
Lauren: Wow, that was an impressive demonstration of how robots can be used in production. I think that we need robots like those to automate some of the functions in our factories.
Yves: I admit the demonstration was eye-opening, but I don’t think the technology is there yet to allow us to replace people with robots.
Lauren: No, not for many of the functions, but we could have them do some of the more routine and hazardous tasks.
Yves: You mean have them work alongside our current workers? I’m not sure how our workers would take it. Wouldn’t the robots get in the way?
Lauren: Not with their sophisticated sensors, which allow them to avoid other people or machines.
Yves: I don’t know. Introducing automation would be tricky.
Lauren: What’s important is that they’ll increase production and reduce accidents. The demonstration showed how easy it is to program one of those robots, even when fine calibration is required.
Yves: I’m thinking of the people in the factories. Wouldn’t we have a riot on our hands if we tried to replace people with robots?
Lauren: It’s the wave of the future.
Yves: So you wouldn’t object to a robot replacing you?
Lauren: Me? They’ll never replace me with a robot. I’m indispensable.
Yves: Just like the typewriter?

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse