FOX News.com reported today on a robot controlled gas pump that is now operational in the Netherlands. The TankPitstop, as it is called, will actually unscrew your gas cap, insert a feul nozzle, and fill your gas tank, completely automatically. Minister of Economic Affairs Maria van der Hoeven, the TankPitstop's first customer, called it a "truly...spectacular innovation".
It works by scanning vechicles with an external camera as they pull up, than accesses an online database to determine the make and model. Using this information, it pumps your gas without requiring any outside assistance.
While Mrs. van der Hoeven might enjoy this technological marvel, I think this is one of the most ridiculously overcomplicated devices ever created. Using a robot to pump gas is like using a Rube Golberg machine to open your front door. Sure, it may be fun at first, but how hard is it really to get up and do it yourself? Even using attendants seems more efficient than this machine. Which is really why this machine exists in the first place. Not to boost efficiency, but to cut labor costs.
All any business owner cares about anymore is improving their bottom line. For some reason they seem to think that reducing their work force is the best way to do that. What flabberghasts me is that coporate executives don't realize just how backwards that logic is. When your business relies on customer service to boost revenue, the worst thing you can do is sell your staff short. Luckily, at $100,000 a pop, the TankPitstop doesn't look like it'll be threatening any attendants jobs any time soon.
It works by scanning vechicles with an external camera as they pull up, than accesses an online database to determine the make and model. Using this information, it pumps your gas without requiring any outside assistance.
While Mrs. van der Hoeven might enjoy this technological marvel, I think this is one of the most ridiculously overcomplicated devices ever created. Using a robot to pump gas is like using a Rube Golberg machine to open your front door. Sure, it may be fun at first, but how hard is it really to get up and do it yourself? Even using attendants seems more efficient than this machine. Which is really why this machine exists in the first place. Not to boost efficiency, but to cut labor costs.
All any business owner cares about anymore is improving their bottom line. For some reason they seem to think that reducing their work force is the best way to do that. What flabberghasts me is that coporate executives don't realize just how backwards that logic is. When your business relies on customer service to boost revenue, the worst thing you can do is sell your staff short. Luckily, at $100,000 a pop, the TankPitstop doesn't look like it'll be threatening any attendants jobs any time soon.
2 comments:
Geez what will they think of next.
Rose
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