ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION
App stores provide program routines for various applications and support lowercost robot deployment .
3 . Robots and humans up-skilling . More and more governments , industry associations and companies are seeing the need for basic robot and automation education / training at an early stage for the next generation .
4 . Robots secure production . Trade tensions and COVID-19 are driving manufacturing back closer to the customer . Supply-chain issues lead companies to consider nearshoring with automation as a solution . causing a shortage of labour and is driving the growth of robotic automation . The continued robotisation of industries was announced earlier this year by the government . Its Five- Year plan for the robotics industry , released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ( MIIT ) in Beijing , focuses on promoting innovation , making China a global leader of robot technology and industrial advancement .
At the same time , state authorities aim to boost employment and entrepreneurial opportunities among college graduates . In June , 18 new professions including “ robotics engineering technician ” were announced by the Chinese Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security . The profession focuses on the research and development of control algorithms and operating systems for robots , as well as the use of digital simulation technology .
“ China still has high potential for further growth ,” said Marina Bill . “ The country ´ s robot density in the manufacturing industry amounts to 246 industrial robots per 10,000 employees , ranking ninth worldwide in 2020 . Ten years ago , China ´ s robot density was 15 units only .”
The automation race in China today is mainly supplied by overseas robot manufacturers with a combined market share of around 73 %. In 2020 , installations of robots from overseas — mainly imported from Japan , Korea and Europe — grew strongly by 24 % to 123,030 units . This number also includes units produced in China by non-Chinese suppliers . Chinese robot manufacturers mainly deliver to their domestic market where , according to IFR data , they held a market share of 27 % in 2020 with 45,347 units shipped .
Top five robotic trends for 2022
The International Federation of Robotics has analysed the top five trends that are shaping robotics and automation around the globe .
1 . Robots adopted by new industries . Segments that are relatively new to automation are rapidly adopting robots . Consumer behaviour is driving companies to address demand for personalisation of both products and delivery . The e-commerce revolution was driven by the pandemic and will continue to accelerate in 2022 . There are thousands of robots installed worldwide today that did not exist in this segment just five years ago .
2 . Robots are easier to use . Implementing robots can be a complex task , but new generations of robots are easier to use . There is a clear trend towards user interfaces that allow simple icon-driven programming and the manual guidance of robots . Robot companies and some thirdparty suppliers are bundling hardware packages together with software to ease implementation . The trend for low-cost robotics also comes with easy set-up and installation , with specific applications pre-configured in some instances . Suppliers offer standard programs combined with grippers , sensors , and controllers .
Marina Bill , President of the International Federation of Robotics .
5 . Robots support digital automation . In 2022 and beyond , the IFR sees an emphasis on data as key enablers of future manufacturing . Data collected from intelligently automated processes will be analysed by producers to make more informed decisions . With a robot ’ s ability to share tasks and learn through AI , companies can also adopt intelligent automation more easily in new environments . AI for robotics is maturing and learning robots are becoming mainstream .
Robots help sustainable development goals
The use of robots plays an important role in reaching the sustainable development goals set out by the United Nations ( 17 SDGs ). In May 2022 , the International Federation of Robotics identified 13 SDGs , where robots help to create a better planet by saving resources and producing the green technologies of the future .
“ The transformation on the way to a
Stäubli WFT ’ s heavy-duty platform AGVs transport components around the factory in which wind turbine nacelles are assembled . © Siemens Gamesa .