Industry without people? – Online conference by Universal Robots points the way out of the workforce crisis

Andrea Alboni

Collaborate 2022: Under this name, Universal Robots (UR) is inviting you to its third consecutive online conference from March 29 to 31. The focus of this year's event is the question: What to do when work remains unfinished because employees are missing? More than 20 experts from industry, science, and politics will inform and discuss the topic of labor and skilled worker shortages and present solutions.

Over three days, the Collaborate event initiated by Universal Robots (UR) revolves around innovation, robotics, and digitalization. The event highlights a topic that poses significant challenges for small businesses and medium-sized companies: millions of qualified workers are missing. The conference offers participants a variety of ideas and concrete examples demonstrating how companies can address personnel shortages through automation and digitalization.

"Our way of working and living is changing rapidly due to modern technologies. Companies can seize the opportunities that arise from this and successfully combat labor shortages in particular. With Collaborate, we offer them the chance to benefit from the knowledge of experts from various disciplines," explains Andrea Alboni, General Manager Western Europe.

Breaking out of the labor crisis – Experts share their experiences in live lectures

Participants of Collaborate 2022 can expect a live program of lectures and discussion rounds on all three days of the event.

The opening lecture under the motto "Industry without people" is given by Andrea Alboni, General Manager Western Europe at Universal Robots. He discusses the steps small and medium-sized enterprises need to take today to overcome personnel shortages in the future – and what positive scenarios can result from increasing automation.

Stepping up automation boldly, leading better, working more flexibly – Stefan Dietz, author of the book "Happiness in Skilled Worker Shortage," advocates this in his lecture.

Ibrahim Can, Head of Global Operations at Schunk GmbH, reports from practical experience. He explains how the Schunk Group is expanding its position as a technology leader using the incubator principle.

Sebastian König, Head of Development at MBO Postpress Solutions GmbH, describes how the use of cobots gives a new shine to the profession of bookbinder.

The bridge between practice and science is built by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Barbara Deml. The human-machine scientist presents results from the research project ProBot, which was launched with the goal of making human-robot collaboration easily accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Participation in the online conference is free of charge. Registration is available at www.universal-robots.com/de/collaborate-2022/.