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5 Best Automatic Pool Cleaners 2020

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For swimming in the pool to be pleasant as well as impeccably clean, you need to constantly take care of the cleaning. That is why it would be worthwhile to procure specialized equipment and start cleaning the pool in the spring. Thus, the pool will be ready for the summer season and will be ideal for unforgettable experiences in the summer months. What is very important is the fact that you have to keep the pool clean regularly – to prevent bacteria from finding their new home in it. Then your best ally is an automatic pool cleaner. But which one to choose when it comes to shopping? Introducing the 5 best automatic pool cleaners for 2020.

Pool Cleaning

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Anyone who owns even a smaller yard within a family house is considering implementing a swimming pool. It is a perfect place to enjoy the summer months with the family – and with all the privacy that a pool allows its users. However, people have great doubts about swimming pools, their construction, maintaining the water temperature and, of course, cleaning – which, quite unfairly, they consider a complication that they could not cope with. Today, all these problems can be solved by some of the automatic pool cleaners. These mini water robots are considered to be one of the most successful devices in this field.

What Does Maintaining Pool Hygiene Mean?

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The hygiene of your pool and its cleanliness are of primary importance – above all for the health of you and your family. Have you heard of electrolysis? And do you know what that procedure entails when it comes to cleaning the pool? Electrolysis is something that is still not used in all markets – so the use of salt water in the pool is unknown in this type of business. In the following text, we will briefly describe what it is about and what are the advantages of this water maintenance technique.

Use Of Chlorine: Yes Or No? And In What Way?

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Chlorine as the best water disinfectant has long been used in the pool industry. However, a problem arises when there is a high concentration of chlorine – which can lead to health hazards. Thus, automatic chlorine dosing is created to cancel the harmful effects of chlorine, more precisely, the required doses have been reduced to a minimum – which is very important for the health and safety of users. Namely, it is about the extraction of chlorine from the pool salt – after which the produced chlorine is automatically added to the pool in an ideal proportion so that the water has the highest possible quality in the lowest presence of chemicals. This way of water treatment achieves a high degree of safety and health of users because the percentage of chemistry is automatically controlled and kept to the necessary and safe minimum.

How Can You Check And Maintain The pH Value Of Pool Water?

Source:poolcareguy.com

Besides electrolysis, there are also devices for automatic control of the pH value of water and pH dosing. For water to always be of good quality and safe for bathing – it must have a certain pH value. The desired value should be about 7 –  which can often be difficult to achieve with manual dosing. Therefore, today we have special devices for it – and their implementation achieves an easy minimum dosage of chemistry to achieve a perfect pH value of water.

Automatic Pool Cleaners – Robots

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In addition to these automated solutions for control and dosing of chemicals, there are also automatic water purifiers, the so-called robots. The formation of such devices is caused by the formation of physical impurities on the walls of the pool – which occur depending on the environment of the pool itself. However, do not forget that sometimes it is necessary to call in professionals for the proper maintenance of the pool. All of you who want to find out about proper pool maintenance – visit here and try to find out everything from professionals. This often includes proper cleaning and control of pool cleaning robots. Namely, some models are older, but these newer generations, which have more features, are increasingly in use.

Newer generation robots contain options for self-cleaning of floors and walls of the pool –  which allows the user to save a lot of time and manual work. Automatic pool cleaners are only used with high flow pumps. They usually need to be attached to the edge of the pool – where the water from the pump goes back into the pool. The vacuum cleaner moves around the pool and cleans it, and we have to stop (turn it off) ourselves – when the pool is cleaned. After each cleaning, the vacuum cleaner must be disassembled and thoroughly cleaned. Disassembly is very simple. We just turn it to the back and open the zippers. Now, we are going to present you with some of the best automatic pool cleaners in different categories.

5 Best Automatic Pool Cleaners

1. iRobot Mirra 530

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With this pool cleaning robot, you can let yourself enjoy more and use less time for cleaning your swimming pool. And do you know what is the best thing about it? It can be used without installation, hoses, and pumps. Simply lower the robot into your swimming pool, press the button for cleaning – and the device will start its most optimal cleaning program. This model is special for utilizing the iAdapt Nautiq system. That will guarantee a truly intelligent cleaning with a high level of quality. This technology has a new improved robotic navigation that allows the pool cleaning robot to scan the size of your pool, and therefore, choose the most optimal cleaning program.

2. RV 5600 Vortex PRO 4WD

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This pool cleaner RV 5600 Vortex PRO 4WD is intended for cleaning buried or above-ground pools of all shapes – with maximum dimensions of 20 x 10 meters. This cleaner perfectly cleans all types of pool linings: tiles, glass mosaic, foil, polyester, reinforced PVC, and painted concrete. On the control part, besides switching the robot on and off – you can also select the cleaning programs:

  • just the bottom of the pool
  • bottom, side and water lines of the pool
  • water lines only

With the help of a standard built-in timer, it is possible to program the use of the robot within 7 days. Also, due to the increase in cleaning efficiency – it is possible to choose the shape of the pool, as well as the duration of the cleaning cycle (weaker or stronger intensity).

3. TornaX RT 3200 PRO

Source:poolnova.com

The automatic pool cleaner TornaX RT 3200 PRO is intended for cleaning buried or above-ground pools with rigid sides, and of all shapes with maximum dimensions of 10 x 5 meters. This cleaner can clean all types of pool linings: Tiles, glass mosaic, foil, reinforced PVC, polyester, and painted concrete. The robot has one program that cleans the bottom and sides of the pool. The duration of the cleaning program is 2.5 hours. However, even though its performance may not seem strong enough to you – this automatic cleaner is characterized by high-quality, extreme durability, and low weight of only 5.5 kg.

4. ULTRA 250 Robotic Cleaner

Source:astralpool.com

This robot is made for large (public) swimming pools up to 25m. It cleans the floor and walls all the way to the top of the waterline. With the built-in gyroscope, complete coverage of the pool surface is ensured. It has two different cleaning programs – 3H (for the floor), 4H 5H (considers floors and walls). It has an LED indicator that shows the time you should clean the filter, a remote control, 30 meters of cable, and you will also get a stroller.

5. 5. CYCLONX RC4401 Automatic Pool Cleaner

Source:hfdchlorine.com

This is a  cleaner with revolutionary technological solutions for pool cleaning. A completely new way of vacuuming the pool on the principle of a cyclone. It has a 30% higher suction power. It is very easy to handle the cleaner, and the suction bag is removed from the top. The robot is intended for polyester pools and pools with foil. For pools with ceramics, it is necessary to buy special brushes. This automatic pool cleaner is suitable for pools measuring up to 12 x 6m.

How Did the Biggest Retailers Use Automation in 2020?

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The news has not been great for retailers dependent on mall walkers for sales. Many people blame internet-based giants like Amazon for the rapid decline in profits experienced by these seemingly archaic brands. However, a deeper inspection seems to point toward the lack of innovation as the culprit for the impending demise of once-popular chains like Macy’s and JC Penney.

Big box stores like Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and cult favorite Costco are seeing steady or improving numbers despite the onslaught of convenience from Amazon. How are these brands managing to keep up?

Target is relying on improved revenue from clothing sales while Walmart has found its boon in grocery receipts. Costco seems to be doing well by luring customers with their free, liberal samples policy. Meanwhile, Amazon continues to barrel along with the perfect mix of every product on the planet and leading the field in automation and efficiency.

Automation and the Customer Experience

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The beauty of automation is that its reach goes beyond one facet. Automation has long been in existence in the retail and customer service worlds. There was once a time when doors needed to be opened by pulling on a handle. How did we make entering a store more convenient? By automating them!

Large retailers like Target, Best Buy, Walmart, and Costco have tapped into the variety of segments of automation to help them retain and gain a strong consumer base. Amazon continues to drive the online sector and has led to creative innovations for all the “brick and mortar” brands. Some of those innovations have managed to cross from the fulfillment world into customer service.

Shoppers are frequently benefited by automation without even knowing it. The automatic door opener is an example of tangible automation but there are many things that are less physical going on to improve consumer experiences.

Have you noticed that your local Target seems to have more employees? How can Target be growing revenue while paying for more workers? They aren’t. Automation has freed employees from mundane tasks like counting cash in a back room and put them in customer-facing positions. Customers enjoy rapid replies from chatbots (a form of digital automation) that can provide technical support and give the appearance of no wait time in the dreaded queue.

The bottom line is that automation improves experiences for shoppers and workers. Things are at a tipping point now for retailers. The decision between investing in automation and keeping the status quo will make or break once-reliable brands. Brick and mortar is not dead as evidenced by positive forecasts for Target and the like but the choice remains – evolve or shutter.

Data is King

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The drive for obtaining as much data about shoppers, their habits, and what is popular is an important part of why the biggest retailers are pushing forward with automation. Of course, insights into what customers want is a benefit but automation helps use data to improve the bottom line in other ways.

Digital automation combined with the application of robotics in stores has improved inventory management to the point of keeping almost exactly the right amount of stock on the shelf. There is no quicker way to lose a customer than for them to find an empty space where their favorite product should be.

Using data for the purposes of precise inventorying helps in two ways. First, it allows retailers to stock what they need to while avoiding over or understocking. This helps keep money in the companies’ pockets. Secondly, it keeps workers who could be helping customers and improving the overall shopping experience from being bogged down with unnecessary stocking duties. This helps with consumer retention and acquisition by providing exemplary customer service.

Taking data collection and processing a step further, robotic automation has proven immensely beneficial. Walmart has employed robots created by Bossa Nova to roam the aisles scanning the shelves for stock levels. This automation has freed labor to do other tasks like assist customers, keep stores neater, and provide a generally better experience.

Enter the Robot Army

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Walmart has always been a harbinger of things to come in the large scale retail industry. While many decry the pushing out of local retailers, Walmart stores have offered unprecedented access to products that some communities might never have had before.

It is no surprise then, that one of the world’s largest brick and mortar retail chains is one of the leaders in automation. Robotics and digital automation are abundant at Walmart and similar brands – from automated self-checkout kiosks to the floor mopping robot called the Auto C.

These retailers insist that the onslaught of robots is a positive thing for workers. The machines will do the mundane, tedious tasks while human workers can go about more fulfilling roles like engaging customers more frequently.

Automation like the Auto C or the Auto S (the robot that scans the shelves for inventory) has already proven itself useful and beneficial to consumer experience and the bottom line. Unfortunately, their human counterparts offer mixed reviews.

Some workers see robotics as an impending doom for jobs. If robots take all the work, what will the humans do for a paycheck? This continues to be refuted by Amazon and other retail brands. First, the technology is still a decade or more away from being able to fulfill an Amazon order on its own, according to Amazon’s Scott Anderson (director of Amazon Robotics Fulfillment). This means human workers are still needed in the sector.

There is also some standard pushback from those who are simply resistant to robotics entering public and professional life.  This is likely related to the previously stated concerns and an awkward mesh point of robots that are not quite perfect being deployed amongst humans who tend to expect perfection from technology. Others say that the standards being set by robots in the workplace from an efficiency perspective are leading to the feeling that they cannot keep up with the subsequent demands.

There is some indication that robots and cobots (the human-friendly cousins of robots) might soon be performing the intricate tasks that human arms and hands currently do. A robot called “Blue” is part of the Berkeley Open Robotics program. Blue is outperforming the previous expectations we held for robotics and has been capable of doing intricate tasks like folding towels or using a Keurig-like coffee machine appropriately.

Source:expert.alliedelec.com

Robots hold some distinct advantages over human workers – no time off, no boredom or being off task, and for now no eyes to roll when given direction by a superior. Retailers who have done well to implement robotics as part of their automation plan are reaping the reward of continued viability while those who insist on staying behind are facing closures and a true reduction in available human jobs.

Large Retailers and Their Use of Automation

The use of automation in the retail sector is undeniably beneficial from multiple angles. Those who have led the way like Amazon and Walmart are seeing growth in revenue, improved customer satisfaction, and have positive forecasts for the future.

Automation continues to grow throughout the retail industry as Wi-Fi connectivity is improved and the technology becomes less expensive. Even small to mid-sized manufacturing shops are able to partner with robotics vendors like Rozum Robotics and gain access to affordable, effective tools to create robots and cobots that will improve their business models.

Large retailers like Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart all have the resources to spend on automation and they are certainly ahead of the curve in the implementation of automated tools.

Amazon is leading the way with its own robotics development program and the results are astonishing. The recent announcement by Jeff Bezos that Amazon Prime customers would have access to one-day shipping for many products would have seemed impossible just a couple of years ago. It would have taken some Santa and his elves level magic to making that happen in 2015. Yet, here we are.

Amazon has virtually perfected automation and human interaction by streamlining work for its human workers with use of Drive robots. Over 100,000 robots with shelves mounted on top make their way around Amazon fulfillment centers providing the humans (who do the packing tasks) with the products they need.

The improvement in automated technology is palpable with the Amazon Drive models, as they have increased their payload capabilities by 100% (in 2014, the Drive could lift only 750 pounds but is now up to a 1,500-pound capacity). This has led to making one-day shipping a reality for Prime customers.

Amazon also utilizes less flexible automated tools for repetitive tasks like lifting bins and raising pallets to high places.

Walmart is enhancing customer experiences by deploying automation in all the right places. As we have made plain, you cannot simply throw a bunch of robots into a store and call it a day. The smart deployment of resources is the key to the fiscal improvements automation can drive.

By having robots scan shelves or mop floors, employees can be shifted to customer-facing or client-assisting responsibilities. Walmart is also introducing automated conveyor belts to help streamline unloading trucks at its retail stores. This enables employees to get out of the backrooms and perform tasks like filling online orders for in-store pick-up.

Target has improved its automated systems to make workflows more efficient. As self-checkout becomes more popular, the lines waiting to use the kiosks grow. Target has stayed ahead of the game by using automation (cash-counting, for example) to get its employees in a position to help expedite the process. This also improves service at specialty counters like cosmetics and electronics.

Best Buy is experiencing a growth trend simply by introducing automation in its distribution processes. The household electronics giant has streamlined storage, retrieval, and packaging with automated systems. This has brought their bottom line into an ideal position and will get credit for the recent announcement of a project 8% earnings increase and 11.8% improvement of the bottom line.

Best Buy is also leading the way in employee engagement during this automation revolution. It has created a model that dictates the use of its stores as satellite distribution hubs. This has both made online fulfillment more efficient and gives employees a sense of security and necessity.

Source:blog.inovia.vc

Automation is Here to Stay

There are certainly naysayers who aim to vilify automation, primarily those working off of misinformation and a dislike for change of any kind. The rapid decline of malls and increase of revenues amongst the largest retailers is a sign that automation is here for the long haul.

While the revolution of automation will change the landscape of retail as we know it, one thing will always ring true – exceptional service wins. As the technology continues to improve, retailers must find ways to incorporate automation effectively while engaging human workers in tasks that bring tangible value to consumers.

Will the Coronavirus Speed up the Replacement of Workers by Robots?

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The integration of robots in the production might be expensive, but once they start working, this investment actually pays off.

The pandemic of coronavirus, especially in the countries like Italy and Spain where the situation was the most critical, showed that robots can do as much as humans when it comes to work. One of the benefits of this is the fact that human health is not at risk.

Source:inc.com

Martin Ford, a futurist who was investigating the incorporation of robots into the economic system says “People usually say they want a human element to their interactions but Covid-19 has changed that. It is going to change consumer preference and really open up new opportunities for automation”.

In fact, smaller and bigger companies around the world are becoming more interested in the robot idea. Especially now, this idea is attractive due to the importance of social distancing of the workers who have to be at their work place. The robots are meant to be used for those workers who cannot do their job from home. To exemplify, the Walmart Company from the USA, uses robots in order to clean the floors. In South Korea, robots are used for distributing hand sanitizers and measuring the temperature.

Source:cnbc.com

The fact that the experts warn that social distancing measures will have to be respected throughout the 2021, makes robots even more attractive for many companies.

Danish company which produces ultraviolet-light-disinfection robots, UVD Robots, sold hundreds of robots to the hospitals in China and Europe. Moreover, restaurants and groceries which offer takeaway food are exploring this idea also.

One of the possible uses of robots could perhaps be related to cleaning schools and offices. The experts claim that robots will be even more useful if the companies who have been abruptly closed start working again.

However, there are limitations of this whole idea. For example, automated checkouts at groceries still have to be under the human surveillance because they do not work perfectly, which is primarily the reason why people avoid them.

Due to the health conditions, the food industry can also switch to the usage of robots. McDonalds has already been testing robots for the passion of the cooks and servers. Amazon and Walmart have already been hiring robots which are thought to enhance the level of productivity within the company. Therefore, the new situation with coronavirus can affect the larger number of robots hired to do shipping, sorting and packing.

Source:apfoodonline.com

Even though the usage of robots can help a lot when it comes to the social distancing, it can also lead to many people losing their jobs. Considering the fact that once a robot is hired instead of a human, the chances that that same human will return to his/her job are slim, the robot idea brought worries to some.

Robot Roles in the USA Military

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Warfare is an ever-evolving practice defined by international law and social norms. The art of war has consistently changed over time to accommodate improvements in technology, battlefield tactics, and modern worldviews.

Modern militaries have come to a crossroads, of sorts. Governments and their people have an increasing distaste for casualties, yet international accord is always at stake somewhere around the world. The demands for leaders to provide safety, security, and a sense of peace are at an all-time high.

The battlefield itself has morphed over time, as well. Gone are the days of lining up across large, open swaths of land to test the skill of marksmen and the bravery of soldiers marching toward each other with steely eyes. News clips on fighting often capture shots fired around buildings and in areas populated by civilians. This has forced new obligations on militaries to not only protect their own but those who might be caught in the crossfire.

Image source: emerj.com

Technology plays a vital role in keeping some semblance of peace while avoiding endangering civilian lives for little gain. Innovative ideas in the military have allowed for new levels of efficiency, accuracy, and have minimized casualties significantly.

Robots have infiltrated almost every sector including industrial, retail, healthcare, and even coffee-making, as it can be seen with these Rozum robots. Robotics is also becoming a major component of most militaries. Robots can be found in many roles that replicate or replace combat positions previously held by humans. This has allowed militaries to reduce the toll on lives and improve the outcome of missions. The roles of robots in the military are diverse, useful, and highly beneficial to all stakeholders.

There are a variety of robots and AI systems being deployed by militaries today. Some are controlled remotely while others perform tasks on their own. Many are unarmed and perform missions deemed too dangerous or costly for human soldiers to take on. Robot technology has become so advanced, that the thought of a “robot army” is not so much a thing of science fiction as it is simply being held up by governmental decision-making.

Significant investments are being approved to advance robotics in the military. Estimates suggest that the industry featuring military robots has the potential to surpass $30 billion by 2022. Military leaders have insinuated that by 2030, robots will play a substantial enough role that brigade sizes will be noticeably reduced.

Robots are influencing warfare from a tactical standpoint and there is no sign that this trend will slow down in the future. How did we get to where we are today? What specific military roles do robots play now? Does the future of warfare look significantly different? Let’s answer these questions to truly grasp the impact of robots in the military.

Robots in the Military: A Brief History

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It may surprise you to hear how long robotics has been making an impact on warfare. The first sign of robots on the battlefield with any notable influence was World War II. The Teletank and a motorized explosive device called the Goliath were deployed by Russian and German troops respectively.

The Teletank was a radio-controlled vehicle that was capable of carrying guns, flame throwers, and other methods of war. It could be directed from nearly half a mile away via the radio controls. Russia formed two full battalions of the Teletank and used them during the Winter War. While technically robotic, it required significant input from humans including a trailing “control tank” that was responsible for control, protection, and destruction in the case of impending capture.

The Goliath (in German [translated]: Goliath Light Charge Carrier) was a one-time-use vehicle used to approach enemy installations, vehicles, or barricades and explode. There were varying models deployed during World War II. The Goliath was controlled via a joystick connected to a very long cable. This led to its demise in more cases than not, as the cable was vulnerable to disconnection and the vehicle itself could be destroyed by rifle fire.

The sticking point for robotics in a military setting has always been their necessity for human guidance. Initially, this was simply due to the lack of computerized control. More recently, human input is needed for moral purposes and because robots are frequently challenged by variables that tend to pop up in modern warfare. The robots being used now are starting to make ground outside of human control and those waiting for deployment in the future could be autonomous.

Robots Currently Being Used by the Military

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Automation, sensor systems, and artificial intelligence have all played a role in the increase in robots being used by militaries. Algorithms and advanced coding are allowing robots to be placed in battle theatres with the ability to decisively use countermeasures and deploy weapons on demand.

Not all robots used by militaries around the world have weapons on board. Some are being used for advanced reconnaissance while others are placed to help soldiers accomplish their mission in a supportive capacity.

Finding Those Who Need Help

Military units are frequently used by their respective countries as a form of highly skilled search and rescue outfit. Unfortunately, their limitations can often cause delays that result in lives lost. Robots are being developed that can assist with these rescue missions.

Rescue missions are especially dangerous on the battlefield and in war-stricken areas. Human military members are often limited due to the threat of violence, toxic environmental hazards, and physical restrictions. Robots can enter spaces that soldiers cannot, and many can be controlled from afar for optimal performance.

Calm Under Fire

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The next generation of military robots will be directly responsible for carrying out missions in a variety of areas. However, we need not wait to see the benefits of robotics on mission support. Robots are currently helping combat soldiers by aiding in a variety of scenarios. Robots can be found providing cover fire, dropping munitions on enemy positions, evaluating best-case scenarios, and refueling aircraft.

Robots were once restricted to non-lethal roles but are not any longer. These “soldiers of the future” are capable of operating better under fire than their human counterparts. The ability to diagnose information, avoid civilian casualties, and take on an enemy spread across an urban scene has made military robots indispensable.

Minesweeper

Once a popular game for early computer nerds, minesweeping is a role being taken on by highly efficient robots. Human interactions with mines are dangerous for obvious reasons and their ability to clear an area of all mines is often flawed. Robots can seek, find, and clear mines quickly without the inherent dangers associated with humans being involved.

I Spy a Robot

You probably will not before it spies you! Automated systems and robots are regularly used to surveil and collect data on enemy movements and behaviors. Robots are used high in the sky in the form of satellites and down on the ground as undetectable forward scouts.

The surveillance role is widely popular as most people are familiar with the robotic aircraft known as drones. These automated birds can be controlled manually or fly on their own to seek, watch, and even destroy enemy targets around the world.

Bombs Away

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Mines are not the only explosive material that poses a danger to human military personnel. Various explosive devices, including the infamous Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) used in many conflict zones, can be dismantled or safely discharged by robots.

Robots are being used to detect, locate, and safely dispose of all kinds of explosives by militaries and other public safety units like your local police department.

Control the Blaze

You may not think of firefighting when you think of the military, but it plays a major role in the safety and security of armed forces around the world. Nowhere is fire control more important than at sea. The United States Navy uses robots to help with fire suppression and control in extreme conditions.

The shipboard robots can locate a fire, use myriad tools and strategies to put it out, and can get closer to blazes due to being able to stand up to extremely high temperatures. Many of the robots are equipped with infrared cams to “see” through the smoke and navigate narrow passageways.

The Future of Robots in the Military

Robots are being put into use by militaries around the world. Their numbers are readily increasing and the variety of tasks they perform is broadening. However, some might say, “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

The future of robotics in the military is limitless from a technological standpoint. However, we may see the replacement of soldiers on a large scale held up by concerns over moral issues. Some are hesitant to arm and deploy autonomous mechanical soldiers for fear they may not respond correctly in fluid, real-life situations.

At the very least, we can expect an extended period of growth when it comes to robots entering the stash of military tools. Robots that are already in use will be improved with better AI and they will be utilized at higher rates moving forward.