The global industrial robotics market is projected to witness significant growth in coming years owing to rising demand for high productivity and reduced operational costs in manufacturing units. Industrial robot is a programmable device that performs tasks based on algorithms. It can be programmed in more than one axis. Product quality and speed play a major role in industrial production. Workers operating manually can face problems related to speed and quality, which affects the overall productivity. Integration of robots with production processes can minimize overheads, increase quality, improve flexibility, and reduce waste than manual workers.
Digitization and technological advancements can bring about innovative applications of robots across various industries. Combination of multiple technologies, such as machine vision, tactile sensing, force sensing, and speech recognition, is expected to add additional value to robots used in manufacturing companies. Integration of existing technologies, including pervasive sensors and RFID tags with autonomous machines is likely to have a positive impact on market growth. Maintenance of robots using big data can allow manufacturing units to utilize available assets in the best possible manner. Rising focus on intuitive handling, safety, ergonomic design, and energy efficiency in manufacturing can stimulate demand for self-powered and fully autonomous machines. Introduction of micro-electromechanical (MEM) sensor technology to develop navigation can impel market expansion. MEM sensors enable a robot to collect sensory information and make decisions on its own. This, in turn, can augment demand for industrial robotics in coming years.
High cost associated with integration and initial setup of robotic solutions in industries can hamper market growth. In addition, recurring cost for cleaning and maintenance of robots and add-on peripherals, such as controllers, end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), and programmed software, can obstruct market expansion in coming years. However, increasing focus of manufacturing companies on cost-effective and affordable robots can create lucrative opportunities in the market. In addition, advent of new technologies and rising competition in the market can reduce costs of robots, which may, in turn, accelerate market growth in future.
The market can be segmented on the basis of type, application, and end-user. Based on type, the market can be bifurcated as cylindrical robots, articulated robots, selective compliant assembly robot arm (SCARA) robots, and Cartesian robots. In terms of application, the market can be classified into material handling, soldering and welding, cutting and processing, dispending, inspection systems, and machine tending. On the basis of end-user, the market can be divided into construction, automotive, food and beverages, pharmaceutical, packaging, chemical, and metal fabrication.
North America is a prominent region in the market owing to rising adoption of technologies, such as robotics and automation. Increasing number of local companies investing in deployment of robots can fuel market growth. Rapid urbanization and industrialization in Mexico is likely to impel demand for automation. In addition, rising awareness among companies regarding positive impact of robots on quality, productivity, and manufacturing costs can propel market growth in the region. Increasing adoption of autonomous machines by non-automotive companies operating in various sectors, such as plastics, life sciences, and food or consumer goods, is anticipated to augment market growth in coming years. For instance, Cabka North America Inc. added autonomous mobile robot named MiR5000 to its production process. The company uses this machine to stack pallets and prepare outbound deliveries.
Asia Pacific is expected to emerge highly lucrative in coming years owing to growth of automotive, healthcare, and food and beverage sectors in developing countries, such as India, China, and Japan. Growing demand for autonomous machines in these sectors can augment regional market growth in coming years. Supportive initiatives from local governments to enhance productivity can also drive the market. Development of innovative products and technologies by local companies can further stimulate market growth. For instance, FANUC developed AI feed forward function that incorporates deep learning or machine learning to its robot, future advancing (FA), and robomachine products. It’s a feed forward controller based on a high-dimensional model that represents mechanical characteristics precisely. In addition, it reduces mechanical vibration caused by servo motors while accelerating and deaccelerating.
Some of the leading companies operating in the industrial robotics market are Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Omron Adept Technologies, EPSON Electronics, and Yaskawa Electric Corporation.
