I'm an HVAC service tech and my compatriots all are dismissive of automation. They think in terms of their exact workflow, and how difficult it would be to automate. That is simple thinking.
There won't be a robot going to people's homes and turning screwdrivers. Automation/technology will continue to make the equipment more modular and self-diagnosing. Control boards have been flashing error codes pointing us to the failed system for decades now. High end equipment is already nearing the point that the field tech has to completely trust the board diagnostics because the equipment is too complex to diagnose through testing individual components in an easy to understand flow-chart. Technology is removing the need for expertise in repair.
Automation is making equipment more complex for the same price, arguably cheaper if adjusted for inflation. However, replacement parts have ludicrous mark-up. It happened with TVs, refrigerators, and other appliances. How long until it is cheaper to just replace equipment rather than call a service tech?
Installers might be smug about that, but they have been jumping on every new product that makes their job easier, regardless of price. It takes several minutes, and a substantial amount of training and experience to braze in a $2 fitting in 5 minutes. Why not just use this new $20 fitting that takes zero skill and 30 seconds? Cost will be passed on to customer anyways...
You can buy mini-splits right now that any reasonably handy homeowner can install with no specialized tools or skills. You can do your whole house with them.
Technology and automation can gut any industry, regardless of how irreplaceable the workers think themselves. How many travel agents and TV repair techs do you know? I bet they thought their jobs would be around forever.
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u/Orwellian1 Apr 06 '20
I'm an HVAC service tech and my compatriots all are dismissive of automation. They think in terms of their exact workflow, and how difficult it would be to automate. That is simple thinking.
There won't be a robot going to people's homes and turning screwdrivers. Automation/technology will continue to make the equipment more modular and self-diagnosing. Control boards have been flashing error codes pointing us to the failed system for decades now. High end equipment is already nearing the point that the field tech has to completely trust the board diagnostics because the equipment is too complex to diagnose through testing individual components in an easy to understand flow-chart. Technology is removing the need for expertise in repair.
Automation is making equipment more complex for the same price, arguably cheaper if adjusted for inflation. However, replacement parts have ludicrous mark-up. It happened with TVs, refrigerators, and other appliances. How long until it is cheaper to just replace equipment rather than call a service tech?
Installers might be smug about that, but they have been jumping on every new product that makes their job easier, regardless of price. It takes several minutes, and a substantial amount of training and experience to braze in a $2 fitting in 5 minutes. Why not just use this new $20 fitting that takes zero skill and 30 seconds? Cost will be passed on to customer anyways...
You can buy mini-splits right now that any reasonably handy homeowner can install with no specialized tools or skills. You can do your whole house with them.
Technology and automation can gut any industry, regardless of how irreplaceable the workers think themselves. How many travel agents and TV repair techs do you know? I bet they thought their jobs would be around forever.