http://spectrum.ieee.org/dec08/7012

I suspect the argument can be made that wealth flows from the clamps of the world's robots. That said, Japan is not twice as productive as America, so is it a cultural trait of the Japanese to over-install robotic capacity? Or is it a rational response to the types of industries predominant in the Japanese economy?

[Edited on January 9, 2009 at 5:41 PM. Reason : lnk]

1/9/2009 5:40:53 PM

The Economist has been making the argument quite a lot recently that Japan's aversion to immigration has lead to it replacing immigrant workers with robots - they're in a lot of places other than manufacturing. So, in some sense, culture may indeed play a role - just not the role one might expect.

I was a little surprised by America's relatively low ranking - I am left to wonder if this is the result of organized labor's efforts, or simply the fact that tasks that would be automated are simply shifted southwards (whereas comparable alternatives may not have existed in other markets).

1/9/2009 6:02:54 PM

It's true that the US has a higher per capita GDP (for now) and fewer robots than japan, but that comes mostly from specialization. Their GDP is comprised of different stuff which requires more robots, they probably have more factories per person than we do, they also don't have as large of a low wage base - thus more robots are an economic necessity.

If you could prove to me that the Japanese have more robots in their homes than we do, then I would accept such a claim, that have more robots is a distinguishing element of their culture.

[Edited on January 9, 2009 at 6:06 PM. Reason : Dr. Chaos beat me to the point]

1/9/2009 6:05:10 PM

Domo arigato, Mister Roboto

1/9/2009 8:08:33 PM

I wonder how much this graph will change as a result of the Roomba.

1/10/2009 12:27:32 PM

This graph only includes industrial robots. If it were to include home robots and service robots then Japan would have an even more insane lead over the rest of the world.

1/10/2009 12:49:52 PM

you totally don't know that

1/10/2009 1:23:35 PM

It's probably a little bit of both.

Japan is a small country, they can't practically afford to a lot of low-wage workers to do the jobs the robots are doing, in terms of living space and health care and food, i'd imagine. At the very least, it may break even with buying robots, with robots having the edge in efficiency. And they have a generation of kids that grew up watching robot-heavy anime, that are now their designers and engineers.

1/10/2009 1:33:38 PM

as long as you program it correctly, it doesnt make mistakes

it is always economical to install automation systems in place of people

they dont complain, require health care or breaks, no wages, etc

1/10/2009 1:53:00 PM

^ they do require upkeep and maintenance.

I would bet they're cheaper than a human, but not by much. Their main gains are in speed and efficiency.

1/10/2009 1:54:11 PM

Ethical necessity, in fact. Human beings shouldn't be forced to labor in ways a mere machine could replicate. Robotic production + a substantial social safety net = the start of some real human culture.

1/10/2009 2:52:29 PM

Quote :

" I would bet they're cheaper than a human, but not by much. Their main gains are in speed and efficiency "

And precision
And consistency

Which also leads to increases in reliability and quality.

Which places their ROI significantly higher then a human.

1/11/2009 5:40:41 AM

Quote :

"Ethical necessity, in fact. Human beings shouldn't be forced to labor in ways a mere machine could replicate. Robotic production + a substantial social safety net = the start of some real human culture. "

What are you, some kind of commie?

1/11/2009 5:11:30 PM

I think the chart in part reflects the Japanese efforts to modernize, lean, and automate as much of their manufacturing processes as possible. It may also reflect industrial strengths: about 40% of all the robots are used in automotive and electronics manufacturing. For nations like Japan, South Korea, Germany, and Sweden, that makes a lot of sense.

In terms of Japanese productivity, one needs to consider that the nation is built upon a dual economy: one side is the highly efficient, export oriented sector, and the other is a grossly inefficient system of small retailers and government-sponsored cartel-protected, bloated uncompetitive industries.

1/11/2009 6:24:35 PM

Surely the Roomba could be used in an industrial environment!

1/12/2009 10:34:03 AM