Comment Robotic miners - good for them! (Score 2) 165
I worked as a heavy equipment operator in college (wheeled loaders, backhoes, graders) and I have been wondering when someone would do this. Operating earthmoving equipment and the like via remote control (I am assuming that this is what they are doing - the site was /. 'ed when I tried to view it) would eliminate a lot of on-the-job possibility for injuries, both traumatic (crushing, falls, etc.) and long-term (back or hearing problems). It would also reduce operator stress (no more sore kidneys, working with an open cab in 120 deg. F weather and lots of dust, etc.).
All in all, automation of jobs like this is the best thing to happen to the related trade and tradesmen. When you work in a physically stressful environment and come home exhausted many days, going to class or otherwise furthering your education is a rather difficult thing to do. By making these jobs less stressful, I would think that the net effect would be to encourage the quality of life of the workers.
As for job loss, people are almost infinitely adaptable. Most of the operators or other trades could be retrained to either work as operators or as support personnel. Many of those who work in the trades don't do so because they're "too stupid to work elsewhere" but because they learn differently than how the school system says they should, or they just enjoy their trade.
The majority of tradespeople that I have worked with have readily adapted to technological innovation in the workplace (they're usually better with it than managers, etc. are...) and would gladly welcome something that would make their jobs easier.
All in all, automation of jobs like this is the best thing to happen to the related trade and tradesmen. When you work in a physically stressful environment and come home exhausted many days, going to class or otherwise furthering your education is a rather difficult thing to do. By making these jobs less stressful, I would think that the net effect would be to encourage the quality of life of the workers.
As for job loss, people are almost infinitely adaptable. Most of the operators or other trades could be retrained to either work as operators or as support personnel. Many of those who work in the trades don't do so because they're "too stupid to work elsewhere" but because they learn differently than how the school system says they should, or they just enjoy their trade.
The majority of tradespeople that I have worked with have readily adapted to technological innovation in the workplace (they're usually better with it than managers, etc. are...) and would gladly welcome something that would make their jobs easier.
