A police officer demonstrates how to use a Taser. Photo: Paul Zinken/picture alliance/Getty Images
Ten years ago, Axon started using robots to assemble cartridges for its flagship product, the Taser. Automation helped the Arizona-based giant bring production back into the U.S. and boosted its output by four times.
The big picture: This is why factory automation is predicted to be worth nearly $370 billion worldwide by 2025, up from $191 billion in 2017. Robots build quickly and cheaply, and they don't make mistakes or get tired.
Since Axon began automating manufacturing in 2009, it has bought $18 million worth of automated equipment, the company tells Axios.
- But as its output has grown, its workforce has, too — from 120 to 420 manufacturing personnel.
- An Axon spokesperson tells Axios that automation is "not about replacing jobs — it's about using automation to free up our workforce to do different jobs." This is a common refrain among companies that don't want to be seen as unfeelingly replacing humans with robots.
Reality check: They can't replace people yet, even if they wanted to.
- As we reported this week, robots aren't yet dextrous enough to handle delicate assembly, or flexible enough to deal with any uncertainty in the production line.
- When robots are cheaper and more capable, you can bet that companies will start cutting staff.
Go deeper: