Are you about to be Roboticized?

At one stage this term was only to be found in computer games - the roboticizer being a device that existed only in  Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, these days however, we are finding more and more jobs being taken over by computer programs or systems. 


In fact Oxford University predicts that 45% of American jobs are at “high risk” of being taken by robots  within the next 20 years.

If school leavers don't already have a tough enough time deciding on a career path, Oxford University would have us believe that agricultural and postal service workers, sewing machine and switchboard operators, and data entry clerks and word processor typists are at the highest risk of falling away.

IT professionals, engineers, and jobs requiring creativity and good social skills are safe for the foreseeable future,

According to the study undertaken by Oxford University predict that the following jobs will be  roboticized:

Pharmacists - The UCFS Medical Centre implemented their automated pharmacies, with robotics-controlled dispensaries at two of their hospitals in 2011.  After operating for one year the system had prepared 350 000 doses of medication without error.

Chauffeurs and Cab Drivers - In February Uber announced that they had partnered with Carnegie Mellon University to develop driverless cars.  Click on this link to view GPS-based system driving an Audi RS7 around Hockenheim race track

Soldiers - Drones are already being used in offensive strikes and reconnaissance missions, operating just over 10 000 unmanned aerial vehicles.  Now the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency is working on a humanoid robot, which could be equipped with weapons.

Sports and Financial Writers - According to the report the reason for removing human writers is purely economical – the system can produce 2000 articles per second!

Telemarketers - Avatar Technologies is developing a system that is accent sympathetic, and is impervious to being shouted at or sworn at.

Chef  - Although Robochef was unveiled in April, the German Manufacturer is planning to their consumer version available by 2017 complete with recipe and cooking methods database, dishwasher and refrigerator.

Policemen / Security Guards – Although “K5”as the prototype type is known doesn’t come equipped with missile launchers or machine guns, it has multiple sensors – including thermal imaging, license plate reading and facial recognition and is designed to detect monitor criminal activity.

Butlers / Hotel Staff – “SaviOne”is already in service in several San Francisco Bay hotels.  These robots can deliver up to 4.5kg of items to your room on request.

Pilots  - Given the recent spate of aircraft disasters, it seems only logical that the next step to flights is to be completely automated or remote-controlled which has recently been the request by the Germanwings Air Traffic Controllers.

Farm Labourers – Our farmers may soon have to acquire some completely new skills should they want to explore the opportunities automated farming would bring. 

Fortunately, the Oxford University report states that there are still some professions that are safe, for now.  These would include :

• Recreational therapists
• Supervisors of mechanics, repairers and installers
• Emergency management directors
• Mental health and substance abuse workers
• Audiologists

Job which include the following traits which would make it difficult to be computerised include:

• Finger dexterity
• Awkward work spaces
• Originality
• Fine arts
• Social intelligence

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