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UK IMechE: OPINION: 'Time for UK to throw out legacy tech and install state-of-the-art robots'

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/opinion-'time-for-uk-to-throw-out-legacy-tech-and-install-state-of-the-art-robots'
  • When Sir William Preece, Chief Engineer of the British Post Office, was introduced to the telephone in 1878 he was unimpressed with it and replied with the remark "The Americans have need of the telephone, but we (the British) do not. We have plenty of messenger boys".


    Fast forward to the 21st century and British factory managers reply with the remark when shown state of the art robots "The Japanese have need of these robots, but we (the British) do not. We have plenty of eastern Europeans".


    For as long as there is a near unlimited supply of workers willing to work long hours for minimum wage in manufacturing industries, then there is little financial incentive to throw out legacy tech and install state of the art robots and automation.


    Perhaps a hard Brexit is what Britain really needs in order to become an advanced manufacturing nation rather than a sweatshop.