Out of the box A smart way to implement automation
I suggest a smart way to implement automation.

First, I need to explain what is a dumb way.

* We introduce automation to replace jobs
* We have many jobless people (and that creates a problem).

What is a smart way?

We introduce automation to make life easier for people. We continue to employ people (maybe at a lower cost) but still give them the job. 

With automation, the job will be easier for the people.

Here are examples of how automation can be used, and still give jobs to people.

Take a look at the signal systems on MRT trains. We have faced a few cases of breakdowns due to "signal fault".

We should design the MRt system to use signals but keep people on the jobs and allow them to take over when there are signal faults. The signals make their job easier but does not replace the train drivers entirely.

There is still cost saving because the drive require less training as most of the time, the signal does the job.

The same approach can be adopted for self driving buses. We can have conductors in the buses to check that the passengers pay the fare and also to provide directions to passengers. The conductor can take control of the bus when there is a technical fault. They may not solve the technical fault, but they can handle the safety issue.

I now come back to comment on the dumb approach that is being adopted. Whenever the MRT system breaks down, the operator has to incur a large expense to handle the problem, such as guiding the passengers to alternative forms of transport. Their savings in reducing the drivers might lead to more cost incurred to handle the breakdowns.

The fully automated system will also be very expensive to install. It will also take a long time to be ready. This is also costly

Using my approach, which is 95% automation (and use human for the last 5%) will be less costly over the long run. It will also ensure that people have jobs.

We need a smart way to implement automation. We should implement automation up to 95% and not 100%.

Do you agree?

Tan Kin Lian
 

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