Robots and Humans: An Unlikely Duo

Robots often look clumsy and awkward. The recent Robot Humanoid Games showed their limitations. They still struggle with simple tasks. Yet, automation is quietly changing industries. Picnic Technologies is a good example. This online supermarket uses robots. They help assemble grocery orders. This allows human shoppers to deliver faster. This innovation has helped Picnic compete. They are now a strong rival to bigger supermarkets.

Automation and the Human Touch

Picnic’s CTO, Daniel Gebler, has a PhD in AI. He believes robots will not replace humans. He explained this in an interview. Previously, Picnic’s shoppers walked huge warehouses. They picked out every single item. Now, robotic arms automate this process. This lightens the workload for humans. Picnic’s new German warehouse uses 1,500 robots. It also employs 1,000 humans.

Why Humans Are Still Needed

Some tasks are still better for humans. Robots struggle with many things. They cannot handle irregularly shaped items. Fragile goods like eggs are also difficult. High-value products, like champagne, are risky. Humans can easily pack crates efficiently. They maximize available space. Robots need predefined layouts. They also have trouble opening boxes. The final packing step is done by hand. A software engineer, Jhon Mauro Gomez, says it's not about replacement. Robots just complement human efforts. It is a collaboration, not a takeover.

The Future of Management

The rise of AI is changing management. Gebler thinks AI will reinvent it. He says current management may not exist. Ownership will become very important. Everybody will be a designer and builder. They will also be an operator. This shift gives teams more freedom. Developers at Picnic have used this freedom. They launched new return services. They also offer meal packages.

Humans with Robots, Not Versus Them

Gebler also promotes "AI-free days". Developers use this time to improve skills. AI can process data very well. However, it cannot improvise like a human. The future is humans working with robots. Automation handles repetitive tasks. Humans excel at creative problem-solving. They are good at adaptability and judgment. The Picnic story proves this point. The future is about reinvention, not replacement.