In industrial automation vocabulary, who are informally called “steel-collar workers”?

Introduction / Context:
As automation spread through factories, commentators coined metaphors to describe new “workers.” The term “steel-collar workers” mirrors “white-collar” and “blue-collar,” but refers to robotic labor in manufacturing settings.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase is idiomatic, not literal.
• Context is industrial manufacturing and automation.
• Robots replace or assist humans in repetitive, precise, or hazardous tasks.

Concept / Approach:
“Steel-collar” emphasizes that the worker is made of metal—industrial robots. The term highlights their durability and precision compared with humans for certain tasks, while acknowledging that oversight, programming, and maintenance are still human roles.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Interpret the metaphor in the context of factory automation.Map “steel” to machines/robots rather than human roles.Select “Robots.”

Verification / Alternative check:
Industrial engineering literature and popular press have long used “steel-collar workers” to mean robots on production lines, especially in automotive manufacturing.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Clerks, human factory workers, and steel-plant human workers are not the metaphor’s target. “None” is invalid because a standard interpretation exists.

Common Pitfalls:
Taking the phrase literally or assuming it refers specifically to employees in the steel industry.

Final Answer:
Robots