ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION
Smart production in a factory . Image : KUKA . the second highest installation count ever recorded , following the peak caused by massive investments from the automotive industry in 2018 ( 26,723 units ). The operational stock of robots was calculated at 245,908 units (+ 7 %) in 2021 . Exports of industrial robots from Germany were up 41 % to 22,870 units , exceeding the pre-pandemic level ,” explained the report .
“ Italy is the second largest robot market in Europe after Germany . The main growth driver between 2016 and 2021 was general industry , with an annual average growth rate of 8 %. The operational stock of robots was computed at 89,330 units (+ 14 %) in 2021 . The 2021 results were driven by catch-up effects and earlier purchases due to a reduction of tax credits in 2022 . This created a 65 % increase of robot installations to a new record level of 14,083 units in 2021 ,” it added .
The report ranked the robot market in France as third in Europe in 2021 , regarding annual installations and operational stock , following Italy and Germany . In 2021 , robot installations increased by 11 % to 5,945 units . The operational stock of robots in France was calculated at 49,312 units , a 10 % increase over the previous year .
“ In the United Kingdom , industrial robot installations were down by 7 % to 2,054 units . The operational stock of robots was calculated at 24,445 units (+ 6 %) in 2021 . This is less than a tenth of Germany ´ s stock . The automotive
industry reduced installations by 42 % to 507 units in 2021 ,” outlined the report .
An eye on The Americas
“ In 2021 , 50,712 industrial robots were installed in the Americas , 31 % more than in 2020 . This is a remarkable recovery from the pandemic dip in 2020 and the second time that robot installations in the Americas exceeded the 50,000-unit mark , with 55,212 units in 2018 setting the benchmark ,” said the report .
New installations in the United States were up by 14 % to 34,987 units in 2021 . This exceeded the pre-pandemic level of 33,378 units in 2019 but was still considerably lower than the peak level of 40,373 units in 2018 . The automotive industry is still by far the number one adopter with 9,782 units installed in 2021 . However , demand had been continuously declining for five years ( 2016- 2021 ). In 2021 installations were down 7 % compared to 2020 . Installations in the metal and machinery industry surged by 66 % to 3,814 units in 2021 , putting this industry into second place in terms of robot demand . The food and beverage industry installed 25 % more robots , reaching a new peak level of 3,402 units in 2021 .
“ The robotics industry offers hygienic solutions that experienced growing demand during the COVID-19 pandemic ,” explained the report .
Human-robot collaboration
“ The use of robotics and automation is growing at a breathtaking speed ,” said Marina Bill , President of the International Federation of Robotics ( IFR ). “ Within six years , annual robot installations more than doubled . According to our latest statistics , installations grew strongly in 2021 in all major customer industries , although supply chain disruptions as well as different local or regional headwinds hampered production .”
“ The range of robots designed for humanrobot collaboration is continuously expanding . In 2022 , new cobots with higher payloads and longer reach [ unlocked ] a new range of applications . In addition to working modules involving a more-or-less shared workspace , cobots are increasingly used in place of traditional industrial robot tasks , especially welding applications , where they excel through their ease of use ,” she added .
Ease of integration and plug and play are also in high demand . The IFR is seeing more complete solutions for standard applications designed to lower the barrier to entry to robotics / automation . It is also witnessing the evolution of new business ecosystems . Customers are seeking “ one-stop-shops ” delivering not only the robot itself , but also compatible plug & play accessories like
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ismr . net | ISMR December 2022 / January 2023