Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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China aims for global leadership in robotics with new five-year plan

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The new five-year plan for the robotics industry in China, released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in Beijing, focuses on promoting innovation.

The government wants to make China a global leader for robot technology and industrial advancement.

The statistical department of the International Federation of Robotics reports about the domestic and foreign engagement on the world’s largest market.

Milton Guerry, president of the International Federation of Robotics, says: “China is by far the biggest robot market in the world regarding annual sales and the operational stock. [Read more…] about China aims for global leadership in robotics with new five-year plan

IFR predicts ‘Top 5 Robot Trends of 2022’ as total industrial robots sales reach a new record

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The International Federation of Robotics has published what it predicts will be the top five industry trends of 2022.

The main theme underlying the trends will be that robots with new features and functions will capture new areas and create new markets.

The operational stock of industrial robots hit a new record of about 3 million units worldwide – increasing by 13 percent on average each year (2015-2020). [Read more…] about IFR predicts ‘Top 5 Robot Trends of 2022’ as total industrial robots sales reach a new record

New research: Robots create jobs

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New research from the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) suggests that the rapid spread of industrial robots hasn’t made a dent in employment figures, instead, new tasks have been created for the workforce alongside ones performed by machines.

At 309 units per 10,000 employees, robot density in German manufacturing industry is the third highest worldwide. At the same time, the number of people employed in Germany reached 44 million in 2017, the highest figure since reunification.

“The results of the ZEW study on the labour market confirm what we’re observing in leading industrial nations across the world,” comments Junji Tsuda, president of the International Federation of Robotics.

[Read more…] about New research: Robots create jobs

Robot density rises globally, South Korea ahead

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The automation of production is accelerating around the world: 74 robot units per 10,000 employees is the new average of global robot density in the manufacturing industries (2015: 66 units). By regions, the average robot density in Europe is 99 units, in the Americas 84 and in Asia 63 units.

The top 10 most automated countries in the world are: South Korea, Singapore, Germany, Japan, Sweden, Denmark, USA, Italy, Belgium and Taiwan, according to the 2017 World Robot Statistics, issued by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

“Robot density is an excellent standard for comparison in order to take into account the differences in the automation degree of the manufacturing industry in various countries,” says Junji Tsuda, President of the International Federation of Robotics.

[Read more…] about Robot density rises globally, South Korea ahead

Japan responsible for robots taking over the world, says IFR

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Japan is the world’s predominant industrial robot manufacturer, according to new analysis by the International Federation of Robotics.

The production capacity of the Japanese suppliers reached 153,000 units in 2016 – the highest level ever recorded, says the IFR.

“Today, Japan’s manufacturers deliver 52 percent of the global supply,” adds the IFR.  [Read more…] about Japan responsible for robots taking over the world, says IFR

IFR’s projected growth of collaborative robots market ‘in line’ with Universal expectations

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The International Federation of Robotics’ new report into the global industrial robotics market predicts significant growth in the collaborative robotics segment.

Universal Robots is widely regarded as the market leader in collaborative robots, having been the first to launch such machines almost 10 years ago and having sold more than 10,000 units since.

Having started out in Denmark, Universal Robots is now part of the US industrial giant Teradyne.  [Read more…] about IFR’s projected growth of collaborative robots market ‘in line’ with Universal expectations

Electronics industry boosting sales of industrial robots

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The global growth in the number of data centres, and the corresponding growth in the manufacturing of servers, could provide opportunities for robot makers 

The electrical and electronics sector is one of the fastest-growing markets for the industrial robotics and automation industry. 

The sector bought almost as many industrial robots as did the automotive sector, traditionally the biggest buyer of industrial robots.

This is partly confirmed by new data and analysis by the International Federation of Robotics, but mostly, it can be gleaned from anecdotal evidence all around. [Read more…] about Electronics industry boosting sales of industrial robots

By 2020, 1.7 million new robots will be roaming the earth

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The global robot population is growing at what some might say is an alarming rate. 

As well as the countless millions already tucked away in factories and homes everywhere, there could be another 2 million added to that number by the end of the decade, which may or may not coincide with the end of humanity’s control over the planet and a ceremonial transfer of power to the robots and artificial intelligence.

Purely ceremonial, since some people say they already rule over us anyway.  [Read more…] about By 2020, 1.7 million new robots will be roaming the earth

Map produced by Brookings pinpoints location of all robots in the US

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The Brookings Institution has found that Michigan has the highest number of robots of all the states in the US. 

Brookings found that Detroit, traditionally the motor town of the US, has more than 15,000 industrial robots installed.

That works out to about 8.5 robots per 1,000 workers, says Brookings.  [Read more…] about Map produced by Brookings pinpoints location of all robots in the US

Collaborative robots are driving the global market, says Universal Robots

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Daniel Friis, Universal Robots
Daniel Friis, Universal Robots

The International Federation of Robots, the source of much authoritative research about the industry, has released its latest survey of the global market. 

With such a wide-ranging study, there’s probably something for everyone to highlight which is relevant to them.

For example, from the point of view of Universal Robots, the IFR report’s most interesting and relevant finding is that collaborative robots have been the market driver in recent times.

Given that Universal is a manufacturer of collaborative industrial robots, the fact that they consider that particular aspect of IFR’s study most noteworthy may not be surprising.

Universal recently announced that it has so far sold 10,000 of its collaborative robots worldwide, which probably makes it the world’s largest manufacturer of collaborative robots.  [Read more…] about Collaborative robots are driving the global market, says Universal Robots