AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS painting , cutting and other processes . These types of robots are gaining traction as they can operate around the clock owing to their set programming . Furthermore , robots can enter minute spaces and operate where human labour cannot , explained the analyst .
“ The electrical / electronic end-use segment accounted for significant market share of over 25 % in 2022 . The segment dominated due to its ability to perform various tasks such as dispensing ; insertion ; labelling and screw driving , with high repeatability . The increased adoption of such industrial robots will be led by innovations coupled with rising research and development efforts by market players to improve productivity , cost-efficiency and low-manufacturing overheads . Increasing competition in the market with the emergence of various technology disruptors is expected to strengthen the segment outlook over the forecast period ,” added Grand View Research .
Regional insights
The Asia-Pacific region dominated the industrial robotics industry in 2022 and contributed toward a share of over 65 %. The region is expected to dominate throughout the forecast period as well . The Asia-Pacific region is home to many industries and factories which use industrial robots for manufacturing processes . The growing inclination towards automation , artificial intelligence and the evolution of other advanced technologies is providing significant growth potential for the regional market .
The Middle East & Africa region is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR of over 20 % during the forecast period , according to Grand View Research .
“ The regional market growth is attributed to increasing industrial initiatives by government entities in the region . For instance , in September 2022 , the crown prince of Dubai
A KUKA cobot .
launched The Dubai Robotics and Automation Programme to boost robotics in the country . Under the programme , around 200,000 robots will be provided to industrial and logistics sectors to increase their production capabilities ,” added the analyst .
Key players in the market use strategies ( such as partnerships ; acquisitions ; ventures ; innovations ; R & D and geographical expansions ) to solidify their industry position . Robotic manufacturers also focus on improving their product offerings to better suit the changing needs of users to stay competitive . Companies are also expanding their portfolios by launching new products or by significantly developing existing products .
Investment and demographic change
“ Robotics should be seen as a problem solver to safeguard prosperity and sustainability , to address a shrinking labour force and to strengthen resilience . Europe needs smart regulation that is conducive to innovation ,” commented Wilfried Eberhardt , Chairman of EUnited Robotics and CMO , KUKA AG , last September at an event in Brussels hosted by the European Engineering Industries Association to examine the future of the robotics industry in Europe .
“ The demographic change will affect Europe hard in the next seven years , when baby boomers retire and , due to low birth rates in the last decades , [ there are not enough people ] to compensate for the loss of this workforce . To ensure our prosperity , we urgently need to innovate in artificial intelligence ( AI ) and robotics to automate and digitalise the tasks and knowledge of those leaving the workforce ,” added Marc Dassler , CEO and Co- Founder of Energy Robotics .
The European Union is preparing to invest € 180 million in breakthrough digital technologies , following the latest in a series of calls of the Horizon Europe Programme that boost collaborative research and development across the Union . Artificial intelligence , robotics and new materials are among the key technologies for Europe ’ s transition to a digital , sustainable and inclusive future . Twentyeight projects were selected in March 2023 , following a peer review evaluation process . The selected projects are planned to start in July 2023 .
In robotics , eight selected projects ( with a budget of more than € 60 million in total ) will include participants from over ten countries and working in academia and research organisations , with over a third of them coming from industry ( half of which are SMEs ).
The projects aim to develop technologies that significantly extend the physical capability of robots and improve their energy performance . They will also explore innovative robotics concepts e . g . soft robots ( robots that are physically flexible and can adapt to their environment ). They will integrate novel robotic technologies to improve robot autonomy and facilitate their capabilities to take up ‘ dangerous , dull and dirty jobs ’ or achieve tasks beyond human capabilities . The projects will also work on improving the ability of robots to collaborate smoothly and benefit from more natural interactions with humans and other robots .
The introduction of 5G technology is also expected to encourage the use of robotics in the manufacturing sector
Image : Shutterstock . com .
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