The Robots Are Coming

By Bob Neubauer

The following article was originally published by In-plant Impressions. To read more of their content, subscribe to their newsletter, IPI E-News.

One of the most memorable sessions at IPMA 2024 was a presentation by Greg Cholmondeley, principal analyst at Keypoint Intelligence, about artificial intelligence in the printing industry, a follow-up to his popular AI presentation last year. He updated the audience on how AI has changed and advanced in just the past 12 months and enlightened attendees on surprising advances in robotics.

Greg Cholmondeley, principal analyst at Keypoint Intelligence, updated IPMA attendees on advances in artificial intelligence. | Credit: Sam Lauersdorf Photography

ChatGPT has seen explosive growth, and now has 180.5 million users, and it is only one of several generative AI services. Open source models have improved and AI has been integrated into businesses, which can fine tune them for specific needs without developing models from scratch.

Cholmondeley showed examples of how AI is being used in the printing industry. In graphic design, AI is used for creating art and extending bleeds. In marketing AI assists in writing marketing copy, checking copyrights, developing website content, and creating Web-to-print stores. AI can write sales proposals, select data for campaigns, automate prepress job workflow, and provide predictive service and maintenance on equipment.

Greg Cholmondeley, principal analyst at Keypoint Intelligence, updated IPMA attendees on advances in artificial intelligence. | Credit: Sam Lauersdorf Photography

In surveys of print service providers conducted by Keypoint Intelligence, respondents anticipate “tremendous” growth in their AI use in the next two years, particularly in areas like customer service, job scheduling, business development, sales, operational analytics, improving image quality, and predictive maintenance.

When Cholmondeley shifted the topic to robots, the audience was riveted. He played promotional videos from numerous manufacturers of robots illustrating how far this technology has advanced. Whether they were autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), cobots (collaborative robots), or humanoid robots resembling and imitating human form and behavior, the skill levels, speed, and dexterity demonstrated by these robots was impressive. They can run, climb steps, carry heavy loads, handle fragile item, and even fold laundry. Many also employ AI-driven learning and decision-making capabilities.

“So it’s getting out of science fiction now,” Cholmondeley said.

Reminiscent of The Terminator, this running robot featured in a promotional video terrified more than a few attendees of Greg Cholmondeley's session on AI. | Credit: Sam Lauersdorf Photography

He noted that these robots will work well in print production environments, and can handle low-level tasks while working alongside people. They can load and unload printers, handle and transport materials, sort and pack orders, do order picking and shipment preparation, replenish printing supplies, and many other tasks.

With the aging workforce of the print industry and the difficulty of hiring qualified staff, these robots may help fill a crucial need. And it won’t be long before we see robots in print operations, he predicted – in the next three to seven years. As for pricing, with monthly lease rates between $1,500 and $2,000, they will cost significantly less than the salary of the low-level employee, he said.

“I think they’re really well suited to our industry,” he said.

Check back for more coverage of IPMA 2024 in the days ahead.

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Bob Neubauer Author's page Bob has served as editor of In-plant Impressions since October of 1994. Prior to that he served for three years as managing editor of Printing Impressions, a commercial printing publication. Mr. Neubauer is very active in the U.S. in-plant industry. He attends all the major in-plant conferences and has visited more than 180 in-plant operations around the world. He has given presentations to numerous in-plant groups in the U.S., Canada and Australia, including the Association of College and University Printers and the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association. He also coordinates the annual In-Print contest, co-sponsored by IPMA and In-plant Impressions.