#ThoughtsOnRobots: Jörg Naffin

In this interview with OnRobot, Jörg Naffin, Head of Sales at WS System GmbH, shares his views on the best use of collaborative applications and provides tips for winning over the sceptics in your organization. 

Jörg Naffin is optimistic. He is seeing clear signs that the adoption of collaborative applications is on the rise. 

"As a side-effect of the current pandemic, more and more company managers are recognizing that robots can take over a variety of tasks and optimize production," he says. 
 

Flexible, reliable, cost-effective and quick to implement
One of the key factors in the growing adoption of collaborative automation among industrial manufacturers is the flexibility and reliability, Jörg Naffin explains. Collaborative robots are quick to learn and can perform different tasks flexibly and at short notice if requires. Collaborative solutions also tend to be much more cost-effective than full automation and can be implemented quickly. 
 

"This really works!"
The reactions from people who implemented collaborative applications are often overwhelmingly positive, Jörg Naffin says: 

"A lot of collaborative application usres are simply thrilled: 'This really works'! and then it doesn't take long before we get a call: 'We have a new application! When can you visit us for this?' I love those calls!" 
 

3 tips for winning over the sceptics
Not all employees embrace their new robot team mates right away. Employee concerns and uncertainties should always be taken seriously. Jörg Naffin lists three things that are necessary when implementing collaborative solutions: 

"Intensive training of the relevant employees, broad acceptance of collaborative applications among the workforce and a little patience in the initial phase of automating are crucial for the success of the project," he says. 

He recommends that employers listen actively, cooperate interactively and provide relevant information to help increase the understanding and acceptance of collaborative solutions among the people who are to interact with the applications on a daily basis. 
 

Great potential in the "not suitable for a diary entry" tasks
For Jörg Naffin, technology should support people in a meaningful and goal-oriented way. That goes for collaborative applications as well. They are ideal for the tasks that Jörg Naffin refers to as "not suitable for a diary entry": the mundane, repetitive, time-consuming tasks that need to be done in any organisation. By taking over these tasks, collaborative applications free up the workers time for higher-value tasks. 

"We often implement collaborative solutions for pick and place tasks or machine tending. There are still so many "not suitable for a diary entry" tasks in organisations. Here, collaborative applications can make an important, positive contribution!" he says. 

New solutions and applications emerge every week. Accoding to Jörg Naffin, artificial intelligence and intelligent gripper systems are among the biggest trends in collaborative applications: 

"It's fascinating to see what's possible now! And we are happy every time a person shares their ideas for a collaborative application! Together we always find a solution".
 

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