Automation and man's role in industry

The most advanced company in digitisation and automation is the Schmidt Groupe as demonstrated by the project it launched ten years ago to manufacture a top-quality kitchen in one day and deliver it ten days later. In this project, the seller creates a ‘virtual’ kitchen with the client; the order is then handled by exchanging computer data; and manufacturing is carried out by robots. Therefore, a standard order can be made without almost any human intervention. Despite the use of robots, the Schmidt Groupe makes sure that its employees are not overlooked: not only have they managed to keep their jobs (about which they could have been concerned), but they have also become operators of complex installations. This project required time and a great deal of training and trust, but it was made easier by the fact that the company is family-owned.