1. Introduction

In the era of Industry 4.0, manufacturing is experiencing a major shift with the integration of technologies like AI, IoT, and data analytics. These are changing how products are made, leading to "smart manufacturing [1]." At the core of this change are industrial robotic arms, which are becoming more advanced and can now perform a variety of tasks with high accuracy and efficiency.

The development of robotic arms is heading towards more adaptable, precise, and specialized designs for various uses, from factory automation to rescue operations [2]. Lightweight robots made with materials like aluminum and carbon fiber are being developed for tasks like rescue missions, with features like multiple movement options and touch feedback [2]. Many companies and research institutions are working on arms that are lightweight, have a high load capacity, and have a broad range of motion [3].

Manufacturing change requires industrial robotic arms. They can improve comfort, safety, job capacity, and lessen physical strain [4]. Despite the benefits, it's crucial to understand how these systems are influencing the shift towards intelligent manufacturing in businesses. This study aims to answer the question: "How do robotic arms affect the intelligent transformation of businesses?"

Our research will clarify this by looking at the current state of robotic arm technology and its impact on industrial enterprises' intelligent transformation [5]. We will see how these arms contribute by being adaptable, programmable, and efficient in handling a range of tasks, which are key to modern manufacturing.

2. Literature Review

2.1. Evolution of Robotic Arm Technology

The origins of robotic arm technology date back to 1945 when Da Vinci designed sophisticated arms [2]. In the 18th century, Jacques de Vaucanson built complex, human-like mechanical arms [6]. Nicola Tesla demonstrated a remote-controlled boat in 1898. Unimate introduced the first industrial robotic arm in 1961, which became the PUMA arm, moving robots from labs to factories [6].

There's a trend towards more skillful devices with more movement options than the human arm. Touch technology allows real-time interaction with virtual objects, which is significant for controlling robotic arms. These arms are designed to copy human anatomy and movement, with joints that mirror the human arm's movements.

The development of robotic arms has evolved from simple machines to sophisticated devices that expand human capabilities. The integration of touch technology, material science advances, and potential brain-machine interfaces are shaping the future of robotic arms, making them more versatile and precise for various uses like surgery, industry, and prosthetics.

Modern robotic arms are made for accuracy, able to control movements precisely, making them suitable for tasks like surgery and handling dangerous materials. For example, they are used in precision farming, which can improve operational accuracy and efficiency, reduce labor costs, and support environmental sustainability [7].

2.2. Key Technologies in Robotic Arm Design

The early development of robotic arms focused on heavy industry with little emphasis on precision or safety around people. Soft robotic arms, like inflatable ones, represent a shift towards safer human-robot interaction [8]. These arms are lightweight, flexible, and can work in environments where human safety is important.

The Hippocrate system introduced force control and feedback, crucial for medical uses where exact force application is needed [9]. Advances in control systems have allowed for more precise motion control, as seen in the visual feedback control method for inflatable robotic arms. The use of sensors like force/torque sensors and cameras has improved the ability of robotic arms to interact intelligently and safely with their environment.

Current robotic arms are designed with high precision and safety, able to work close to humans without the risk of injury [9]. They are now used in specialized applications like medical procedures, where they can assist with ultrasound probes or perform delicate surgeries [9]. The development of cobots [10], designed to work with humans, reflects the growing sophistication of robotic arm technology. Modern robotic arms are integrated with digital technologies like cloud computing, IoT, and AI, making them more adaptable and responsive [10].

Future developments are likely to focus on increasing the adaptability and intelligence of robotic arms, with more emphasis on machine learning and AI for autonomous operation. There is also a trend towards making robotic arms more collaborative, focusing on human-robot interaction and cooperation.

2.3. Examples of Robotic Arm Applications in Different Industrial Sectors

Robotic arms are widely used in factories for tasks like assembly, welding, painting, and material handling. They boost productivity by performing repetitive tasks with high precision and speed. For example, the KUKA KR16 robotic arm has been adapted for various applications, including milling and foam cutting, showing its versatility in manufacturing [11].

Inflatable robotic arms are suggested for space use, offering advantages like reduced weight and compactness, crucial for efficient rocket transport. Inflatable robots with extended arms are well-suited for inspections in hard-to-reach areas [8].

Hippocrate's capabilities extend to reconstructive surgery, especially for burn victims. The robotic arm helps in consistently harvesting skin grafts at a uniform thickness, improving the effectiveness of skin grafting procedures [9]. This system also helps doctors move ultrasonic probes across a patient's skin with precise pressure, aiding in monitoring arterial health. This technology is crucial in preventing cardiovascular diseases by enabling the creation of 3D arterial maps [9].

In precision agriculture, robotic arms play a key role in tasks like planting, harvesting, monitoring crop health, and weeding. They are designed to work in various environments, from greenhouses to open fields. For example, robotic arms are used for harvesting strawberries and kiwifruits, using advanced sensors and vision systems for accurate fruit detection and collection [7].

2.4. Impact of Robotic Arm on Enterprise Intelligent Transformation

The transition of industry from conventional to intelligent models has been significantly influenced by the creation and use of robotic arms. Robotic arms significantly enhance operational efficiency by performing repetitive and labor-intensive tasks with precision and consistency [12]. Robotic arms can enhance workplace safety, provide precise and consistent quality control, and take over hazardous or repetitive tasks from humans, thereby protecting workers and improving efficiency. By reducing waste and energy consumption, they also contribute to green manufacturing. Economically, they reduce labor costs, boost throughput, and increase profitability [12].

It can also lead to total factor productivity (TFP) growth, crucial for industrial transformation [13]. In this field, a concept of "structural bonus" is introduced, referring to the positive effect of factor reallocation across sectors on industrial growth. Robotic arms can facilitate this reallocation by automating tasks in one sector, freeing up labor and capital for more productive use in others [13].

Robotic arms are also a Digital Transformation Enabler. Robotic Process Automation (RPA), which includes the use of robotic arms, is positioned as a driver of digital transformation. It enables organizations to automate repetitive tasks, leading to increased efficiency and the potential for higher-value activities. It can also be integrated with other disruptive technologies like AI, machine learning, and natural language processing, enhancing their capabilities and contributing to the intelligent transformation of enterprises [14].

3. A Successful Case Study

The incorporation of high-payload robots in the automotive manufacturing industry represents a cutting-edge development in the field of industrial automation. The article [19] offers a detailed examination of how a Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) system can effectively integrate high-payload robots into the manufacturing process of automobiles. This case study not only demonstrates the ability of high-payload robots to handle heavy components but also emphasizes their significant role in increasing production efficiency, reducing worker fatigue, and enhancing workplace safety.

The study has implemented an integrated HRC system that enables high-payload robots to work closely with human operators without the need for physical barriers. This seamless collaboration is achievable through the integration of key technologies such as a Multi-Modal Interaction Pipeline (MMIP) [19], contactless gesture-based manual guidance modules, fenceless safety monitoring systems, and augmented reality (AR)-based training applications. The combination of these technologies not only enhances operational flexibility and efficiency but also significantly improves ergonomics and working conditions by decreasing the workers' involvement in repetitive and strenuous tasks.

In the automotive industry, the application of high-payload robots has often been limited by the payload capacity of collaborative robots. However, the solution proposed in this article addresses this challenge by assigning high-payload robots [19] to handle heavy components such as car doors, hoods, and tailgates. The traditional assembly process requires workers to carry parts weighing up to 15 kilograms, which is physically demanding for long periods of time and has a significant impact on human health. Utilization of high payload robots working in tandem with human operators not only alleviates the physical demands on workers but also enhances assembly precision through precise robot control, thereby reducing errors and fatigue attributed to human factors.

Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of considering ergonomics in the design of HRC systems. The introduction of an AR-based training framework enables new operators to quickly become familiar with the system operations, reducing training time and costs. This approach not only increases operator acceptance of the technology but also provides an effective tool for rapid adaptation and skill transfer in the workplace. It is mentioned in the report [19] that although the semi-automated assembly was only 2.4 seconds faster than full manual labor in one cycle, the robotic arm helped the worker with about 75% of the tasks. This gives workers more opportunities for value-added operations.

Overall, the application of high-payload robots in the automotive industry sets a new standard for robotic arm applications in the industrial sector. It demonstrates the potential of integrated technology in enhancing production efficiency and workplace safety and highlights the importance of considering human factors and user experience in the design of collaborative systems. As Industry 4.0 continues to advance, such human-centric automation solutions will be key to the future of smart manufacturing.

Although today's robotic arms are very advanced, there are still some shortcomings in specific industries. There are certain areas of using robotic arm technology in precision agriculture that have not yet been fully explored or adequately addressed despite the growing body of research on robotic arm technology. For example, the complexity of the operating environment poses a significant challenge as the robotic arm needs to adapt in real-time to changes caused by numerous uncontrollable natural factors, leading to inaccuracies due to misestimation of the agricultural environment's state [7].

At the same time, there is a lack of interdisciplinary research. Research on robotic arms tends to focus on the technical aspects and lacks a comprehensive analysis of the economic, social, and environmental dimensions. For example, the impact of robotic arms on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has not yet been systematically considered [15].

Existing studies have focused more on the short-term benefits of robotic arms, and there is insufficient research on their long-term impacts, especially their role in promoting low-carbon green development [16]. For example, one paper provides evidence that industrial robots reduce carbon emissions in urban industries, but in-depth analysis of long-term impacts remains to be strengthened [17].

To address real-time adaptation in precision agriculture, we should focus on technological advances and the expansion of application scenarios. Several studies [18] have begun to focus on technological advances of robotic arms in specific application scenarios, such as recent advances in hardware and software systems in precision agriculture. We should learn from this and then develop and test new sensor technologies and machine learning algorithms to enable the robotic arm to adapt in real time to changing agricultural environmental conditions. And collect data through field trials to evaluate the performance of the robotic arm in different climatic and soil conditions to optimize its adaptation.

To make up for the problems posed by the lack of an interdisciplinary approach to research, we can look for a wide range of literature covering the various disciplines involved in the research question. Collaborators from different disciplinary areas are sought for exchange and collaboration. Look for methodologies from different disciplines to address the research questions. For example, an interdisciplinary team of researchers, including agricultural scientists, environmental experts, economists and sociologists, could be established to study the full impact of robotic technologies on agriculture. At the same time, system dynamics models can be used to simulate the long-term impacts of robotic technologies on agroecosystems, economies and societies, and how they interact with sustainable development goals.

In addition, we have to consider the impact of the long-term environment of the robot arm. To analyze the systemic impact studies of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we can refer to a framework provided in the literature's studies [17], where by analyzing the impact of industrial robots on the carbon emissions of urban industries, we can indirectly understand how robotic arms can change the way to achieve the SDGs. We can study the impact of industrial robots on urban industrial carbon emissions, including green technology innovation and human-robot matching as mechanisms for industrial robots to reduce industrial carbon emissions. These studies can help to fill the gaps in the assessment of the environmental benefits of existing studies and provide a basis for the formulation of relevant policies.

4. Discussion

4.1. The Promotion of Intelligent Transformation of Enterprises by Laws and Regulations

Regulations encourage the adoption of robotic arm technology by demanding that enterprises enhance production efficiency and product quality, which can gradually bring many traditional businesses closer to becoming intelligent enterprises. Safety regulations require companies to reduce work-related accidents, a goal that can be achieved with the application of robotic arm technology. Environmental regulations push companies to adopt greener production technologies, and the energy-saving features and minimal waste generation of robotic arm technology make it more compliant with these regulations.

4.2. Impact of Intelligent Transformation on Corporate Organizational Structure

With the advancement of robotic arm technology, the degree of automation in production lines will increase, significantly enhancing production efficiency and flexibility. This may lead to the reorganization of corporate structures to adapt to faster production rhythms and higher market response speeds.

Intelligent transformation will change the demand for worker skills. Traditional operational skills may be replaced by technical skills such as programming, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Companies may need to invest in employee training to ensure they can adapt to the new technological environment.

As the amount of data generated by robotic arms increases, companies will increasingly rely on data analysis to optimize production processes and improve efficiency. This may prompt companies to establish dedicated data analysis teams to support decision-making.

4.3. The Promotion of Intelligent Transformation of Enterprises by Environmental Protection

Lightweight and optimized design of robotic arms will be more energy-efficient, helping to reduce energy consumption in the manufacturing industry, in line with the requirements of sustainable development.

Automated production lines can reduce material waste and emissions, as robotic arms can perform tasks more accurately, reducing scrap and environmental impact due to human error.

Future robotic arms may play an important role in the circular economy, such as in recycling and remanufacturing processes, where precise automation technology can improve the recovery and reuse rates of materials.

5. Conclusion

To sum up, incorporating robotic arms into industrial processes is a key element of the fourth industrial revolution, promoting the move from conventional to smart manufacturing approaches. These sophisticated mechanical arms not only improve work efficiency and safety but also foster economic development, sustainability, and digital transformation in businesses. Looking ahead, the advancement of lightweight, modular, and smart robotic arms is set to further transform production processes, focusing on collaboration between humans and robots and the use of advanced sensors. This development will lead to changes in corporate structures, with a greater focus on decisions based on data and a change in the skills needed by workers. Considerations for sustainable development and environmental protection, such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and circular economy practices, will also be essential in guiding the future of robotic arm technology. It's evident that as Industry 4.0 advances, continuous innovation and the use of robotic arms will be crucial for creating a manufacturing industry that is more efficient, safer, and more environmentally responsible.