Automation in Action: How Rapid Robotics is Helping Companies Achieve Success in a Competitive Market

In this guest blog, Builder Nation explores how RaaS makes robotic automation easier, more accessible, and more affordable. Our CEO Jordan Kretchmer is a guest on ep104 of the Builder Nation podcast.

May 4th, 2023 9 min read

Jordan Kretchmer, Co-founder & CEO at Rapid Robotics, joins Builder Nation's Podcast host Elisa Muñoz to share his experiences as a leader in the robotics and automation industry and the insights he has gained from his expertise in digital strategies and technology.

This interview was brought to you by BuilderNation, the community of Hardware leaders developing world-changing products, and sponsored by ControlHub, the purchasing software for hardware companies.

The world is rapidly changing, and technology is increasingly essential in many industries. One of the most exciting areas of technological innovation is robotics and automation.

Companies like Rapid Robotics have played a crucial role in making the industry more accessible and affordable by providing cost-effective and easy-to-use solutions that help solve the labor shortage problem and pave the way for more widespread adoption of automation. 

The Robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) provider offers automation solutions for businesses of all sizes. By pairing subscription payments and cloud connectivity with the latest in robotics tech, Rapid Robotics makes it easier for smaller businesses to take advantage of the benefits of automation, leading to increased productivity, efficiency, and profitability for businesses of all sizes.

This blog post will delve into the robotics and automation industry, the current state of the market, and the future of robotics, with a particular focus on Rapid Robotics.

Robotics and automation

Industrial robots were first introduced in the 1960s, marking the start of the robotics and automation industry. Today, robots are widely used in various sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and transportation, because they enhance efficiency, productivity, and safety. 

Robots perform repetitive and hazardous tasks more precisely and quickly than humans, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. Additionally, they can operate non-stop, 24/7, enabling companies to boost output and meet demand.

How Robotics and Automation are Revolutionizing Industries

Robotics and automation are transforming multiple industries, with many sectors employing them and expanding their use cases. 

For instance, the manufacturing industry uses robotics and automation for tasks such as assembly, material handling, and quality control tasks. This technology can also perform surgery, patient monitoring, and medication dispensing assignments in healthcare.

Similarly, agriculture employs robotic process automation for planting, harvesting, and spraying. In transportation, it is used for autonomous driving and package delivery tasks.

The food and beverage manufacturing, supply chain management, and engineering industries also use intelligent automation to boost efficiency, productivity, and safety. 

Notable examples include using robots to sort and package products in food processing plants and using automation to manage inventory and fulfill orders rapidly and precisely in warehouses.

Rapid Robotics

Rapid Robotics provides innovative robotic workforce solutions that aim to make the deployment of automated solutions for simple tasks faster and easier for manufacturers. With its cutting-edge technology, Rapid Robotics helps companies to solve the labor shortage problem and increase productivity, efficiency, and profitability.

One example of such technology is the Rapid Machine Operator, which can be "hired" for a low monthly fee, requiring only light supervision, and quickly set up without integration costs. This cost-effective and easy-to-use solution has helped many businesses to automate their manufacturing processes successfully, achieving significant savings in labor costs and increasing output. 

The success of these solutions has demonstrated the potential of robotics and automation to enhance productivity and efficiency. As a result, they have become indispensable tools for companies looking to maintain their position and drive growth in today's competitive marketplace.

Rapid's industrial Rapid Machine Operator on our mobile, modular base, alongside a mobile control box.

Rapid Machine Operator (RMO)

The Rapid Machine Operator (RMO) is an affordable, intelligent robotic worker with high flexibility. They can be trained on multiple tasks and moved between jobs without reprogramming. They are also pre-trained to operate machines, making them easy to set up without robotics expertise. The computer vision platform is included.

Rapid Robotics handles the deployment of the RMO from start to finish, with the company completing the process in just 4-6 hours. They provide 24/7 remote support and on-site support engineers within 1-2 hours, ensuring a smooth experience for the client.

The RMO allows manufacturers to automate simple and repetitive tasks, freeing their workforce to prioritize more complex and challenging work. This, in turn, can increase productivity, expand operational shifts, and achieve instant ROI from Day One. The RMOs receive free AI updates, allowing them to learn new tasks and improve daily performance.

The RMO is easy to operate using Rapid's tablet-based app, and no robotic expertise is required. Although a hardwired internet connection is recommended, the RMOs can run offline quickly with full AI capabilities thanks to powerful edge computing technology.

Three men smiling and talking next to a robotic workcell that is manufacturing steel wash tubs.

Rapid Robotics success stories

Automating pad printing and heat-stamping in a high-mix environment

A manufacturing operation company faced the problem of needing to hire machine operators faster to meet demand, and traditional cobots were too expensive and inflexible. 

Rapid Robotics' Rapid Machine Operator (RMO) provided an affordable all-in-one solution that didn't require training or system integration, making it a cost-effective option for businesses. With RMOs, Westec was able to win new business, meet production targets, reduce downtime, free human operators for more valuable tasks, standardize production, and compete with lower-cost labor markets. 

By assigning an RMO to pad printing, Westec freed up one human operator for other work, resulting in significant cost savings. Westec anticipates that RMOs will continue to play a critical role in numerous existing and new jobs, owing to the RMO's flexibility, intelligence, and subscription pricing model.

Read the whole story here.

Automating a traditional pad printing process in less than a week

Due to the ultra-competitive labor market, a materials developer and advanced manufacturing center based in the San Francisco Bay Area needed help finding machine operators for their TouchMark pad printing division. They wanted to automate the process, but previous robotics solutions were too expensive and time-consuming. 

However, they found a cost-effective solution in the Rapid Machine Operator (RMO) from Rapid Robotics. RMOs could be hired for a low monthly fee and work at the same rate, hour by hour, daily, ensuring consistent production. With RMOs in place, the company achieved significant cost savings, maintained productivity during the pandemic, and redeployed eight operators to other jobs. 

The RMOs allowed the company to operate six machines with only two human operators, resulting in savings of $70K in less than a year and improved throughput consistency.

Read the whole story here.

How can Rapid Robotics help manufacturers?

Rapid Robotics offers affordable and accessible robotics and automation solutions that are game-changers for businesses of all sizes. Here are some benefits of using Rapid Robotics for manufacturers:

Increased productivity: Rapid Robotics automates simple and repetitive tasks, allowing the workforce to focus on more complex and challenging work. This increases productivity and enables operational shifts to expand.

Cost savings: Rapid Robotics provides affordable and user-friendly solutions that can help businesses considerably save on labor costs and boost output. The Rapid Machine Operator (RMO) can be hired for a low monthly fee, requiring minimal supervision and setup without integration costs.

Improved efficiency: The RMOs can be trained on multiple tasks and moved between jobs without reprogramming. They come pre-trained to operate machines, making them simple to set up without needing robotics expertise.

Flexibility: Rapid Robotics' RMOs are highly flexible and easily integrated into existing manufacturing processes without requiring extensive modifications. The RMOs can operate offline quickly with full AI capabilities thanks to powerful edge computing technology.

Advanced technology: Rapid Robotics' RMOs are built with advanced computer vision and AI technology, allowing them to operate in unstructured environments without the need for extensive programming. The RMOs receive free AI updates, allowing them to learn new tasks and improve daily performance.

Fast deployment: Rapid Robotics handles the deployment of the RMO from start to finish, completing the process in just 4-6 hours. They provide 24/7 remote support and on-site support engineers within 1-2 hours, ensuring a smooth experience for the client.

Rapid Robotics FAQS

When it comes to robotics, it's natural to have many questions. Here are some frequently asked questions about Rapid Robotics:

  • What is Rapid Robotics? Rapid Robotics is a company that provides robotic workforce solutions, specializing in affordable automatic machine operators (RMOs) for manufacturing and logistics industries. The RMOs are designed to automate repetitive tasks, helping businesses increase efficiency and reduce labor costs without expensive systems integration or lengthy training.

  • What makes Rapid Robotics' solutions different from other robotics companies? Rapid Robotics stands out from other robotics companies due to its partnership-driven nature. Their RMOs leverage advanced computer vision and AI technology, enabling them to operate in unstructured environments without extensive programming.

  • Can Rapid Robotics' solutions work with my existing equipment? Rapid Robotics' RMOs can work with various machines and equipment. The RMOs are highly flexible and can be easily integrated into existing manufacturing processes without extensive modifications.

  • What industries can benefit from Rapid Robotics' solutions? Rapid Robotics' solutions are well-suited for various industries, including manufacturing, logistics, and distribution. The RMOs can automate tasks such as pick-and-place operations, assembly, and material handling, making them useful for various applications.

  • Which industries can benefit from Rapid Robotics' solutions? These solutions are affordable, easy to implement, and can be up and running within days. The RMOs can automate pick-and-place processes, assembly, and material handling tasks.

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Maria Téllez, Marketing Content Creator for ControlHub

Maria, a passionate Peruvian with a Business Communicator degree from the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences, currently works as a marketing content creator for ControlHub, a US-based hardware company. She utilizes AI and SEO tools to create engaging and strategic content. Maria's dedication to staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and developing her writing skills allows her to produce effective content. In her free time, she loves to explore new places, seeking to discover every corner of Peru and the rest of the world.

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