Rise of the machines: Manufacturing’s future banks on robotics, says trade minister

It’s innovate or die for the sector.

Singapore’s mediocre growth has been caused by a usual suspect, an equally struggling manufacturing sector. However, the minister of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) foresees an imminent change for the sector, market by an increased reliance on robotics.

As technological changes inevitably sweep the city-state, the nature of jobs has also been transforming, according to a speech by Trade minister Lim Hng Kiang.

“It is imperative that we invest in our people so as to prepare them for the more varied and demanding skills required in the future economy,” he said.

He adds that emerging technologies like additive manufacturing or 3D printing would give birth to new products and ways of producing goods.

“There will be a blurring between the traditional roles of production workers and knowledge workers. The shopfloor worker will need to partner machines and systems, originate ideas, execute decisions and pre-empt the unexpected,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lim Hng Kiang reasserted how innovation can help businesses overcome constraints and become more competitive.

“Faced with manpower constraints, businesses could adopt manpower-lean business formats, develop and leverage disruptive technologies and upgrade their people’s skills,” he said.