The Tale of the Painting Robot That Didn't Steal Anyone's Job

The arrival of the robotic arm was not a happy affair at Professional Finishing in Richmond, California, just across the bay from San Francisco. In contrast to the hulking factory arms that have traditionally labored in isolation, this robot was meant to work right alongside humans, delicately sanding and painting things like speaker cases or cabinets for medical devices. Which sounded a lot like a first step toward replacing the company's workers altogether. "We did have one employee tell us, 'Hey let me know when the robot's up and running and I'll just quit,'" says Professional Finishing co-owner Dawn White. "We said, just bear with us. Help us and everybody will keep their jobs."