Robotics market set to grow at 12% pa over next two years

The International Federation of Robotics states that demand for industrial robots will continue at an average annual growth rate of 12% between 2015 and 2017. In Asia and Australia, robot sales are expected to increase by around an average of 16% per year. The automotive and electronics industries will continue to see increasing investment in robots.

Mr Lim Say Leong, assistant vice president, marketing, ABB, thinks that in a new era of robotics, collaboration between humans and robots will become a reality.

Small parts assembly is leading the charge in human-robot collaboration, where humans and machines are starting to work right next to each other, with no need for cages and other protective equipment or barriers. Automation will become simpler and more user-friendly, such as modular plug-and-produce components that will enable people without extensive experience in robotics to program and integrate a robot in the process.

The tools that allow robots to interact with the world around them are also in development, such as advanced sensing and advanced gripping. In order to allow robots to do all the jobs that they are well suited to, they will need to develop more ‘human-like’ abilities to find, identify and manipulate objects. When combined with powerful processing capability, tools like force control and advanced 2D and 3D vision systems will create a kind of robotic ‘independence’ and allow the robot to make ‘decisions’ about what to do when it encounters the inevitable hiccups that arise in everyday operation.

Industries must act now to prepare themselves with integrated automation for when the economy recovers; where further automation will lead to a less labour-intensive and more productive future, with fewer resources and time used to produce more goods at a high and consistent quality. For manufacturers, robots not only bring productivity, but also huge reductions in energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Automation lines equipped with vision systems can also operate without the need for ambient factory lighting or air conditioning (subject to the requirements of the manufactured product itself), allowing for the possibility of 24/7 operation with substantial energy savings.

Companies with a well-established manufacturing base can also leverage systems that can collaborate and determine solutions that minimise the cost to the business. In Asia, companies manufacture items ranging from one-off designs to large volume production of the same designs. These pose great challenges for robots to be innovative, and yet robots can be productive to meet the desired return on investment.

The growing middle class in Southeast Asia and higher levels of education are producing new generations of youth who receive less job satisfaction with dirty, dangerous and dull tasks that are characteristic of some manufacturing processes. This creates a demand for more engaging and meaningful jobs in the market, which could pose a challenge to manufacturers in the region who will need to revamp their organisation of human resources. In fact, some small to medium enterprises have started employing robotic automation as a means to retain talent and even attract their next generation to inherit the business.

Faced with an uncertain economic outlook, lower oil prices and increased market volatility, businesses have to rethink ways to add value to their products and services. Cheaper Asian countries have the competitive advantage of high volume and low cost in their production chain; players that will stand out are those who provide customisation and cater to the individual needs of customers. For example, product cycles in the electronics industry are getting shorter, with new models and functions being introduced at a blistering pace. Fast deployment and incredible flexibility are key to meeting the demands of low-volume but high-mix products. In this regard, manufacturers can be flexible in switching between different products and processes with robots, rather than needing large-scale production with high product volume. By offering higher quality products coupled with fresh varieties, companies can bring a difference to the table and disrupt the market.