AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS
Robot density is the number of operational industrial robots relative to the number of employees . It can cover the whole manufacturing industry or just specific industrial branches . The number of employees serves as a measure of economic size , so the quotient of operational stock over employees puts the operational stock on a uniform base .
“ Robot density data reveal the state of automation worldwide and allow us to compare regions and countries ,” said Marina Bill , President of the International Federation of Robotics . “ The speed of robotics adoption in factories around the world is impressive : the new global average robot density hit an all-time high of 151 robots per 10,000 employees ; more than double the number measured only six years ago .”
According to the IFR , Asia has a robot density of 168 units per 10,000 employees in the manufacturing industry . On a global scale , the economies of Korea ; Singapore ; Japan ; Mainland China ; Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei all rank within the top-ten most automated countries . The European Union has a robot density of 208 units per 10,000 employees with Germany , Sweden and Switzerland ranking in the global top-ten group . North America ´ s robot density is 188 units per 10,000 employees . The United States is among the top-ten most automated countries in the manufacturing industry .
“ The Republic of Korea is the world ’ s number one adopter of industrial robots . Robot density has increased by 6 % on average each year since 2017 . The Korean economy benefits from two large customers : a strong electronics industry and a distinct automotive industry . Singapore follows with 730 robots per 10,000 employees . Singapore is a small country with a very low number of employees in the manufacturing industry ,” commented the IFR .
“ Germany ( 415 robots per 10,000 employees ) ranks third . The robot density of Europe ’ s biggest economy has grown by 5 % CAGR since 2017 . Japan is in fourth place ( 397 units ). Robot density of the world ’ s predominant robot manufacturing country grew by 7 % on average each year ( 2017-2022 ). China made its way up to fifth place in 2021 and maintained this position in 2022 . The country ’ s massive investment in automation technology yields a high robot density of 392 robots per 10,000 employees , despite a huge workforce of roughly 38 million people in the manufacturing industry . Robot density in the United States rose from 274 units in 2021 to 285 in 2022 . The country ranks tenth in the world ,” it concluded .
AI-equipped robots in the logistics industry
The global logistics industry serves as a backbone of international trade , representing about ten per cent of the world ’ s GDP . As demand has been skyrocketing , companies have already heavily invested in robotics and automation : sales of professional service robots for the transportation of goods or cargo grew by 44 % year-on-year ( 2021-2022 ). Yet , severe labour shortages are threatening to hamper future growth in the logistics industry worldwide . A new generation of AI-enabled robots helps to tackle these challenges .
“ The shortage of truck drivers , warehousing staff or dockworkers is a critical pressure on supply chain management worldwide ,” explained Marina Bill , President of the International Federation of Robotics . “ By combining automation hardware with smart software , robot manufacturers deliver to the specific needs of the warehouse and logistics
Image : Shutterstock . com .
Autonomous mobile robots transport pallets from the depot to the warehouse and manned hightrucks take over ( image : Mobile Industrial Robots , courtesy of the IFR ).
Image : Shutterstock . com .
industry . AI-equipped robots offer tremendous new opportunities for this sector .”
The main aim of using AI in robotics is to better manage variability and unpredictability : logistics providers deal with a mass market of cross-border shipping , e-commerce or last-mile delivery . This environment handles frequently changing products , orders and stock . To make machines capable of supporting such flexible workflows , AI software runs by experience rather than programming . These AI-equipped robots learn to pick and pack different objects at high speed in a warehouse , use vision to transport items autonomously around the factory and provide AI-driven interfaces that turn a 90-minute maintenance task into a twosecond adjustment .
“ While the overall challenge of labour shortage is common across the logistical supply chain in Europe , Asia and the United States , specific reasons and severity differ . New worktime regulations by governments force companies in Japan , for example , to further automate . In the United States , a special shortage of skilled logistics professionals in e-commerce warehouses needs technological support and in Germany , keeping older workers in employment for physically demanding roles requires better workplace conditions for these colleagues ,” said the IFR .
“ Robotics technology is a fit for various tasks within the logistics industry . While service robots work alongside human personnel creating more efficient workplaces , industrial robots help to automate dirty , dull and dangerous tasks behind fences . The combined power of a wide range of applications in robotics and automation will play a crucial role in addressing workforce gaps and allow future growth in this key industry ,” concluded Marina Bill . n
ISMR May 2024 | ismr . net | 21