Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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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

US auto industry buys half of all industrial robots, says IFR

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dürr robot

The US auto sector “buys every second industrial robot” sold, according to a report by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR)

The US economy is one of the front-runners in the global automation race. By 2018, the number of industrial robots sold will, on average, rise by at least five per cent per annum, to a new record of 31,000 units (2014: 26,202). 

About one-half of these will be installed by car makers and their suppliers. Viewed according to robotic density – meaning the number of industrial robots per 10,000 employees – the US automotive industry, with 1,141 units, already ranks third in the world’s national economies after Germany (1,149 units) and Japan (1,414 units). These are the calculations published in the report 2015 World Robot Statistics, issued by IFR.

[Read more…] about US auto industry buys half of all industrial robots, says IFR

Global industrial robot population set to reach 1.3 million by 2018, says IFR

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industrial robots

By 2018, approximately 1.3 million industrial robots will be entering service in factories around the world, according to the International Federation of Robotics.

In the high-revenue automotive sector, global investments in industrial robots increased by a record-breaking 43 percent (2013-2014) within one year. Viewed on a cross-sector basis, the international market value for robotic systems now lies at around 32 billion US dollars.

The figures have been published in the IFR’s report, 2015 World Robot Statistics.

The robotic density figure is a key performance indicator for gauging the current degree of automation within the international markets. For example, the average global robotic density in producing industries lies at 66 robot units per 10,000 employees. [Read more…] about Global industrial robot population set to reach 1.3 million by 2018, says IFR