Technology has changed the way we live and work permanently. The industrial revolution began in 1760 and set humanity on a trajectory we are still speeding on today. Can you imagine your life without your devices? Our smartphones include functions such as telephones, calculators, email clients, banking devices, web browsers, gaming platforms, and more. Computers assist us in our work; without them, entire industries would be brought to their knees.
Technology can make work seamless, integrated and streamlined. We’ve come a long way from the billowing smokestacks symbolising the industrial revolution. Now we have smart, electric cars, solar-powered homes and efficient industries – in some sectors.
But other sectors have been slower than others to utilise modern technology. This informative article will share how technology is silently revolutionising some of the world’s oldest industries, such as mining, agriculture, fabrication and healthcare. Read on to discover more.
Tech in Mining and Mineral Extraction
Tech is used in mining, such as that provided by Rayven IO, to improve cost efficiency and productivity, ultimately increasing revenue and profit. One example is using intelligent sensors on mining equipment linked to software to monitor performance. Using this data, the company can predict when a machine needs maintenance or might fail, reducing machine downtime and failure rates.
Another way tech is changing the mining and mineral extraction sector is by assisting companies in ensuring workplace safety. Smart devices can monitor ventilation and pollutant levels in the air, to inform safety policies and trigger evacuations if levels become hazardous. This is a long way from the old canary in the cage.
Tech Being Used in Agriculture
Agriculture is arguably the oldest industry in the world, as it was by domesticating animals and learning how to harvest crops that humans evolved in the way we did. Agriculture today still focuses on these two essential activities, but tech is slowly changing the way farmers work.
For instance, some farmers rely on drone technology to innovate. For instance, sensors attached to drones can monitor crop health, soil quality, and soil moisture levels or detect the presence of pests and weeds in crops. In turn, this saves the farmer time and can improve crop health and yields. This results in better crops and better profit for the farmer.
When it comes to livestock, farmers can use GPS tracking software that can provide valuable data for them. For instance, they can track individual cattle movement in a feedlot, which can help a farmer identify ill or injured cattle, which they can then get treatment for. Also, GPS tracking can help a farmer track down stray cattle or those that have bolted during a storm.
How Tech is Changing the Manufacturing and Fabrication Industry
Tech is also slowly revolutionising another old industry – manufacturing and fabrication. A significant loss occurs due to casting damage, meaning that damaged parts need to be disposed of. Emerging tech can reduce the risk of casting damage, reduce waste and provide better control over materials and casting equipment.
Intelligent equipment will also let companies engage in proactive production, making it easier to determine precise levels of raw material needed for manufacturing. For example, data science can measure the amounts of consumables, chemicals and sand required for foundry fabrication. Accurately estimating materials required for a construction job ensures that companies can deliver a consistent product, increase their production, and therefore uplift their profit margins while reducing waste.
Techs Role in Healthcare
Medicine is an old profession, and humanity has come a long way from the old sawbones stereotype. In fact, of all the industries listed here, healthcare is one that has adopted new technology as it emerges. However, today’s cutting-edge tech is impacting how the healthcare system operates.
One type of cutting-edge tech being used in healthcare is machine learning, a type of artificial intelligence or AI. Machine learning is being used to analyse CT scans to treat the acute effects of COVID-19. AI can also improve cancer diagnostics, and hospitals are moving towards this away from a biopsy. For instance, a digital scan of a region of the body where cell mutations are occurring can be used to diagnose cancer.
Mental health is an area of healthcare that is also benefiting from new technology. For instance, the advent of telehealth during the pandemic has become a permanent fixture, with patients in remote communities accessing psychology and psychiatry via their computers.
Some companies are also developing applications that can complete mental health intake and assessment and even offer an initial diagnosis which a psychiatrist can then confirm.
A Cutting-Edge Conclusion
This informative article has covered how tech is silently revolutionising some of the world’s oldest industries, such as mining, fabrication and manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare. Imagine what the next fifty years holds for these industries as technology improves. The possibilities are almost endless.
