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"The transformation toward robotics automation in traditional and emerging industries is accelerating," says Milton Guerry, President of the International Federation of Robotics. "More and more companies are recognizing the numerous advantages that robotics technology provides to their business."
Relatively new areas in automation are rapidly adopting robotics. Consumer behavior is driving companies to meet personalized demands for products and delivery. The e-commerce revolution driven by the pandemic will continue to accelerate in 2022.
To address labor shortages, companies that previously hadn't considered automation will reconsider. Businesses relying on service personnel, such as retail and restaurants, cannot fill job vacancies, so we can expect to see them invest in automation to meet customer needs. Relatively new robotic customer industries such as delivery and logistics, construction, and agriculture benefit from increasingly advanced technology.
Implementing robotics can be a complex task, but next-generation robots are more user-friendly. User interfaces show a clear trend allowing simple icon-driven programming and manual guidance of robots. Robotics companies and some third-party suppliers are bundling hardware packages with software to simplify implementation. This trend may seem simple, but products focused on complete ecosystems add tremendous value by reducing workload and time.
The trend toward low-cost robotics technology also includes easy setup and installation, pre-configured with specific applications in some cases. Vendors offer standard programs combining fixtures, sensors, and controllers. App stores provide program routines for various applications and support low-cost robotic deployment.
More and more governments, industry associations, and companies recognize the need for next-generation early robotics and automation education. In addition to internal worker training, external educational pathways can strengthen employee learning programs. Robot manufacturers such as ABB, FANUC, KUKA, and YASKAWA have 10,000 to 30,000 participants annually in robotics courses across more than 30 countries.
Robotics technology is improving working conditions for factory workers. New training opportunities in robotics technology create win-win situations for companies and employees: boring, dirty, and dangerous tasks can be automated while people learn key skills for future industrial workplaces and increase their earning potential throughout their careers.
Trade tensions and the pandemic are driving manufacturing closer to customers. Supply chain issues are leading companies to consider automation as a solution.
Statistical data from the United States shows how automation helps businesses resume operations: according to the Association for Advancing Automation, robot orders in the United States increased 35% year-over-year in Q3 2021. In 2020, more than half of orders came from non-automotive industries.
This record growth isn't just robotics—machine vision, motion control, and motors have also seen significant increases. The pandemic and resulting supply chain and labor supply disruptions became the driving force that many needed to invest in automation.
In 2022 and beyond, data will become the key driver of future manufacturing. Producers will analyze data collected from intelligent automation processes to make more informed decisions. With robots' ability to share tasks and learn through artificial intelligence, robotic AI is maturing, and learning robots are becoming mainstream. Companies can also more easily adopt intelligent automation in new environments, from construction to food and beverage packaging facilities to healthcare laboratories.
