The world is currently facing an unprecedented situation: the novel coronavirus pandemic is spreading around the globe and is heavily affecting the global economy and our societies. No one can predict how long this situation will last nor the consequences that follow.
Dear Reader,
The world is currently facing an unprecedented situation: the novel coronavirus pandemic is spreading around the globe and is heavily affecting the global economy and our societies. No one can predict how long this situation will last nor the consequences that follow.
As representatives of the robotics and automation industry, we are best suited to find the solutions that support society and aid in its recovery. As IFR, our focus should be to use our skills and knowledge, leveraging what we know best, to tackle the issue at hand and become stronger in a world without borders.
IFR has already started collecting ideas, case studies, and best practices on how our technology provides beneficial solutions. This includes the use of robotics to safeguard local production and reduce dependency on global supply chains. Mobile collaborative robotics solutions are alleviating resource shortages caused by sudden illness and quarantine measures. Flexible production technologies have proven successful at increasing the production of goods in scarce supply, while mobile robotics is being used to relieve strain within hospitals and the logistics sector.
We welcome your input as we begin sharing this information with our broader communities through our blogs, press activities, and social media. Help us tell the story that will shape the direction of our industry for years to come.
Travel restrictions have limited our opportunities to meet in person and hold official IFR meetings at international trade fairs. Last week, the Automatica fair was postponed to December 8-11, 2020. As a result, we have decided to switch to webmeetings. Although different from our usual way to exchange ideas and make decisions, I am confident these virtual environments will enrich our opportunities for collaboration and relationship building and provide us with options for continued networking during the crisis and after.
While it is obvious that this pandemic will have an impact on our industry, it is too early to quantify it, as the global situation changes daily. However, IFR is uniquely positioned not only to weather this storm but also provide assistance to others along the way.
I am convinced that together we will get through this.
Stay safe, and best wishes to you and your family.
Milton Guerry
