Will 2021 be the Year for Robotics and AI in South Africa?

According to Business Tech government is putting the final touches on the coding and robotics curriculum for Grades R-9 and may soon be part of South Africa’s school curriculum in 2021. This is so South Africa can keep pace with the growing technology around the world and prepare the younger generation for the fourth industrial revolution. 

So does this mean that 2021 will be the year for robotics and the development of AI in South Africa? Well, there’s already the AI Expo Africa that takes place annually in September and 2021 will be the fourth year of the convention. 

But people are asking if South Africa is ready for (artificial intelligence). However, Business Tech states that AI is prolific across South African companies. Many business owners are willing to experiment with AI to see how it can help their companies grow. 

Read today’s article to find out if 2021 will be the year South Africa Finally embraces AI and robotics. 

Corporations are starting to Experiment with AI 

According to Business Tech, 46% of South African companies say they’re already actively using AI within their organisations. These businesses are including a range of AI technology into their websites such as the following: 

• Chatbots
• Automatic processing 
• Advanced analytics 

67% of South African business owners say that biometrics, smart robotics and AI are the most useful tools to them for business expansion. But AI is still in its early stages of development in sunny South Africa. But Citizens have invested at least $1.6 million in AI over the past 10 years. 

The bulk of these investments went towards the following: 

• Social media 
• IoT (Internet of Things) 
• Optimization 
• Scheduling 

Many businesses in the country expect to gain financial benefits by utilising AI in their organisations. The types of AI that South African businesses use the most is prediction and automation technology. These two factors can help predict consumer conversion rates and boost employee productivity. 

Understanding of AI in South Africa is Still Low

Although many companies are taking the risk of experimenting with AI there are still many people who have a limited understanding of what this technology can do. This creates fear of job losses and slows down growth within an organisation. 

What Can Companies Do to Help with the Change?

Technology is always changing and businesses must keep up with the times to grow with the economy. But change can be slowed down if management doesn’t take the necessary steps to ease their employees into the new changes. 

That’s why it’s important that every company have training departments so that they can implement proper change management. This will help employees understand that integrating AI into an organisation helps improve the structure of the business and in turn helps to secure jobs. It also expands employee experience so they can find jobs at other corporations.  

Smart Homes Are Becoming More Popular In South Africa 

The popularity of smart homes or home automation in South Africa has increased quite significantly. This is because smart devices are becoming more accessible in SA. Smart devices are no longer simply used by tech junkies, the upper class or IT in a business. 

A smart home aims to make everyday tasks and devices less time consuming and easier for the user to operate. Smart TVs and SmartPhones are well-known devices but did you know you can get a smart speaker too? You can schedule appointments, request songs and ask the speaker to provide information on any topic you want to know about. 

Additionally, there are smart security systems such as surveillance cameras and spotlights that you can operate remotely when you connect them to a SmartPhone app. There are smart outlets that turn everyday appliances such as coffee machines and toasters into smart devices so you can operate them from your mobile phone. 

Complete smart home systems are becoming increasingly popular in South Africa to the point where there are companies that now set up your entire home with whatever smart devices you want. With a simple app your SmartPhone or tablet becomes a remote control so you can do the following: 

• Turn lights on and off
• Adjust your air conditioning 
• Check cameras around the property 
• Turn on coffee machines
• Switch TVs on and off 
• Unlock doors 
• Speak through intercoms outside your gate

Smart devices have become more affordable and because of the increase in popularity, you will find more smart devices on the shelves in the next coming year. 

About Robotics Industry in South Africa

According to Engineering News, the automotive industry is the largest user of robotics in the country. Robots are also used in the food manufacturing industry where they package items quickly and efficiently. Where there are mass quantities and heavy lifting robots are used to handle the task. 

With the help of robotics companies can decrease human contact which is a safer alternative due to the COVID-19 outbreak. A cleaner more sanitary environment is only possible with robotics.

Youth Robotics Training in South Africa Completed 

Paramount Labs has teamed up for SAAF (South African Air Force) and announced the completion of its robotics training program by the first group of youth students. The SAAF Eagles Robotics Club offers students the opportunity to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) which will inspire students to take up technology or math related careers in engineering and manufacturing. 

The five month program that was completed by the students and it incorporated the following: 

• Robotic coding/programming
• Electronic circuit theory 
• Technical drawings
• CAD design 
• Using 3D printers 

SAAF’s Eagles Club created a fun interactive sumo wrestling contest where students fought in robotic combat using remote controlled joysticks. 

Paramount Labs has strong robotic capabilities that place the company in a position to take advantage of the fourth industrial revolution. The company along with its partnerships aims to offer teaching resources to other education facilities so they can create their own STEM programs. 

These organisations want to prepare South African youth for the growth in technology to build a stronger economy in the future. 

Final Thoughts 

Do you agree with the implementation of robotics programming in South African curriculums? How open are you to using AI and robotics in your home or business? Many industries in SA use robotics to speed up production. But you can use AI and robotics to make your home life more convenient with smart devices. 

One thing is for certain, the more we incorporate these amazing technological developments into our businesses and homes the more important it is to stay connected.

Let’s connect.