Advancing Robotics to Consume Semis, China Threatened?

[Arthur Hanson]

Advancing robotics are already on their way to consuming vast amounts of semis of all type from simple sensors to advanced AI/ML chips that give them the intelligence needed for ever more complex and more complete tasks. In the not too distant future, warehouses and material handling will be fully automated and this will extend to many other tasks. Assembly of many things will also become greatly more automated as there are factories that have been running dark for years for night shifts with no heating, air-conditioning or lighting required. All this is starting to advance at a blistering pace with the labor shortage just accelerating it. This trend is just getting started and we are still in the early stages. I expect to see even more robotics extend even military functions as drones and robotic systems of all types become common on the battlefield. Automation and robotics are the next long term growth area for semis.

This trend raises another question, will China do drastic actions if they don't have access to the high end chips that be required to to this trend where it is going? This will be required for any country or company to stay in the game where we are literally looking at the automation of everything. Any thoughts or comments solicited and welcome.

MSN

www.msn.com

 

[nghanayem]

Advancing robotics are already on their way to consuming vast amounts of semis of all type from simple sensors to advanced AI/ML chips that give them the intelligence needed for ever more complex and more complete tasks. In the not too distant future, warehouses and material handling will be fully automated and this will extend to many other tasks. Assembly of many things will also become greatly more automated as there are factories that have been running dark for years for night shifts with no heating, air-conditioning or lighting required. All this is starting to advance at a blistering pace with the labor shortage just accelerating it. This trend is just getting started and we are still in the early stages. I expect to see even more robotics extend even military functions as drones and robotic systems of all types become common on the battlefield. Automation and robotics are the next long term growth area for semis.

This trend raises another question, will China do drastic actions if they don't have access to the high end chips that be required to to this trend where it is going? This will be required for any country or company to stay in the game where we are literally looking at the automation of everything. Any thoughts or comments solicited and welcome.

MSN

www.msn.com

I don't think these factory machines will require intense AI hardware, just enough to create the models in some data center and to not run over some poor factory worker. The bigger issue is training and getting the right fidelity and precision out of the machines. For what it is worth many industries are already almost entirely automated (see any modern semiconductor fab, chemical plant, or factory of almost any kind).

 

[Arthur Hanson]

I don't think these factory machines will require intense AI hardware, just enough to create the models in some data center and to not run over some poor factory worker. The bigger issue is training and getting the right fidelity and precision out of the machines. For what it is worth many industries are already almost entirely automated (see any modern semiconductor fab, chemical plant, or factory of almost any kind).

Automation is still in its very early stages compared to where it is now, in the very near future automation can increase its penetration in everything from basic hands on functions to very advanced cutting edge research. All countries and companies will have the choice to adapt or be left behind or even die.

 

[nghanayem]

Automation is still in its very early stages compared to where it is now, in the very near future automation can increase its penetration in everything from basic hands on functions to very advanced cutting edge research. All countries and companies will have the choice to adapt or be left behind or even die.

OHHHH, you are referring to an AI basically running an accounting division with minimal oversight kind of thing, or when an AI does all of the humdrum in a company's R&D department (high degree of AI/ML). I thought you were referring to factory and warehouse robots and the like (not using AI/ML to any advanced degree). Yes getting cut off from American (and any states that join them) researchers, engineers, and the global supply of leading edge semis would likely be a devastating blow to the coming/in progress AI/ML boom.

 

[Arthur Hanson]

OHHHH, you are referring to an AI basically running an accounting division with minimal oversight kind of thing, or when an AI does all of the humdrum in a company's R&D department (high degree of AI/ML). I thought you were referring to factory and warehouse robots and the like (not using AI/ML to any advanced degree). Yes getting cut off from American (and any states that join them) researchers, engineers, and the global supply of leading edge semis would likely be a devastating blow to the coming/in progress AI/ML boom.

Yes, the AI/ML boom is coming along with processing power, memory power and high speed inputs from sensors and search programs that are going to revolutionize everything for basic factory and warehouse functions to cutting edge research. I just hope it doesn't lead to a vast concentration of power in the hands of a few. The leverage that this trend has the power to apply is almost unimaginable. I have followed dark factories for years with few if any people and this trend will work its way into even the most advanced professions. From experience, don't expect it to go smoothly as many organizations like anything else will do anything to maintain their survival and dominance at all costs. Just look at China using a combination of modern surveillance, communications, memory and processing power for a small group to control a large population.