It is estimated that robots and automated technology will zap 200K jobs each year from the service industry. Since 4 out of 5 American jobs are in or connected to the service sector then this will likely have a huge impact on available jobs in the years ahead. Factory jobs have largely been replaced due to automation and it will get worse when 3D printers hit homes. Now white collar and service jobs are in the crosshairs.
I am 33 years old and can easily remember when I would talk to a secretary when calling a place of business, ordering event tickets from a phone agent, watching the meter reader invade my backyard, and reminisce about the days of old before the nuisance sounds of press 1 for....... or 2 for payment.
Going forward a decade or two from today might look similar to a science fiction dystopia as far as jobs go. Automated cars and trucks replacing commercial drivers, cyborg waitresses, self checkout and service desk robots (good luck arguing over a return), automated banking tellers, security droids, and even the traditional high paying jobs of doctors and lawyers may become a thing of the past.
I happen to own and work in a service based business myself and came across an article about a window cleaning robot called Winbot. Manufactured by ECOVACS it has a retail price of $299-$399 with the premium model used for frameless windows. Accessories are extra and range from $5.99 for cleaning solution and microfiber pads to $59.99 for a 30' cord. Weighing in at 4.5lbs (about the weight of a half gallon of milk) the machine uses high powered suction rings to move across the glass and its sensors detect the most efficient pattern to clean the glass. When it is done it notifies you with a beep that it is ready to clean another window.
Now you might be thinking to yourself "why on earth would the owner of a window cleaning business advertise a window cleaning robot?" Well I am not slightest bit concerned with this machine as it still has its limitations and frustrations. For one it can't remove storms or screens from the windows. Other obvious limitations are it can't clean divided glass, does not scrape paint or stickers off the glass, and you would still have to move the machine from window to window. Changing the microfiber pad out and applying cleaning solution are also drawbacks. For now with all that work and waiting involved I think us fleshly window cleaners still have a huge upper hand. 20-25 years from now I may have a formidable opponent capable of winning the machine vs human contest. The strange thing is the competition will be a robot instead of the other window cleaner in town. At that moment I might just become a 21st Century Luddite.
Watch the video below for a review from Yahoo's Becky Worley.
I am 33 years old and can easily remember when I would talk to a secretary when calling a place of business, ordering event tickets from a phone agent, watching the meter reader invade my backyard, and reminisce about the days of old before the nuisance sounds of press 1 for....... or 2 for payment.
Going forward a decade or two from today might look similar to a science fiction dystopia as far as jobs go. Automated cars and trucks replacing commercial drivers, cyborg waitresses, self checkout and service desk robots (good luck arguing over a return), automated banking tellers, security droids, and even the traditional high paying jobs of doctors and lawyers may become a thing of the past.
I happen to own and work in a service based business myself and came across an article about a window cleaning robot called Winbot. Manufactured by ECOVACS it has a retail price of $299-$399 with the premium model used for frameless windows. Accessories are extra and range from $5.99 for cleaning solution and microfiber pads to $59.99 for a 30' cord. Weighing in at 4.5lbs (about the weight of a half gallon of milk) the machine uses high powered suction rings to move across the glass and its sensors detect the most efficient pattern to clean the glass. When it is done it notifies you with a beep that it is ready to clean another window.
Now you might be thinking to yourself "why on earth would the owner of a window cleaning business advertise a window cleaning robot?" Well I am not slightest bit concerned with this machine as it still has its limitations and frustrations. For one it can't remove storms or screens from the windows. Other obvious limitations are it can't clean divided glass, does not scrape paint or stickers off the glass, and you would still have to move the machine from window to window. Changing the microfiber pad out and applying cleaning solution are also drawbacks. For now with all that work and waiting involved I think us fleshly window cleaners still have a huge upper hand. 20-25 years from now I may have a formidable opponent capable of winning the machine vs human contest. The strange thing is the competition will be a robot instead of the other window cleaner in town. At that moment I might just become a 21st Century Luddite.
Watch the video below for a review from Yahoo's Becky Worley.
