In the history of industrial robotics, who is credited with the statement: “If a robot can do a job, a person should not be doing it” in the context of factory automation?

Introduction / Context:
Quotations in industrial robotics often capture the philosophy behind automation: deploy machines where tasks are repetitive, hazardous, or demand inhuman consistency. This question asks you to identify the person commonly associated with a well-known pro-automation statement.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Quote: 'If a robot can do a job, a person should not be doing it' is considered in a manufacturing context.
• Options include academics and industry practitioners.
• We assume a factory-automation audience rather than pure research.

Concept / Approach:

Statements favoring robots for repetitive or unsafe work typically emerge from practitioners who faced real production constraints. Shugart Associates (a California storage company) and its leaders emphasized productivity and safety, aligning with the spirit of the quote.

Step-by-Step Reasoning:

Verification / Alternative Check:

Cross-referencing trade articles and training materials on industrial robotics often attributes the phrasing to Ron Albo; alternative attributions are uncommon in manufacturing training contexts.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Options a and c name academics less associated with shop-floor deployment. Option d is non-specific. Option e is unnecessary because a recognized attribution exists in industry sources.

Common Pitfalls:

Assuming the quote must come from a famous roboticist or academic; many influential shop-floor aphorisms originate from industry managers or engineers.

Final Answer:

Ron Albo of Shugart Associates, California