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Between 2010 and 2019, the annual installation of industrial robots more than tripled, reaching a global operational stock of 381 million units in factories worldwide. On February 17, 2021, the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) released five key trends shaping global industry. Dr. Susanne Bieller, IFR Secretary General, stated: “The task of integrating traditional production with ‘digital strategies’ has placed robotics at the forefront.”
Robots Are Learning New Skills
Artificial intelligence software combined with vision and other sensing systems now enables robots to perform complex tasks—such as waste sorting—that previously could only be done by humans. The new generation of robots is easier to install and program, and is increasingly connected. Advances in communication protocols allow seamless integration of robots into automation systems and Industry 4.0 strategies.
Robots Operate in Smart Factories
The automotive industry has led the adoption of intelligent robotic solutions, deploying industrial robots across entire assembly lines—a practice that has dominated conventional vehicle manufacturing for over a century. The future lies in networked interaction between robots and autonomous vehicles—more precisely, Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs).
Equipped with cutting-edge navigation technologies, these mobile robots offer far greater flexibility compared to traditional fixed production lines. Car bodies are transported via driverless transport systems that can decouple from the main line and be rerouted to specific assembly stations where customized variants are built. After a complete model changeover, only the robots and AMRs need reprogramming—there’s no need to dismantle the entire production line. As collaborative human-robot workstations gain momentum, robots will increasingly work side by side with people.
Robots Enter New Markets
Breakthroughs in connectivity are driving robot adoption in manufacturing sectors that have only recently begun automating—such as food and beverage, textiles, wood products, and plastics. Ongoing digital transformation is enabling entirely new business models, as producers can now diversify their offerings more easily than ever before. In smart factories, different products are assembled on the same equipment—rendering traditional dedicated production lines obsolete.
Robots Help Reduce Carbon Emissions
Growing pressure to lower carbon footprints is also accelerating investment in modern robotics. Today’s robots are highly energy-efficient, directly reducing energy consumption in production. Their superior precision also minimizes defective or scrap parts, positively impacting the ratio of resource input to output. Moreover, robots enable cost-effective manufacturing of renewable energy equipment, such as photovoltaic cells and hydrogen fuel cells.
Robots Strengthen Supply Chain Resilience
The Covid-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in globalized supply chains. This has given manufacturers an opportunity to rethink their supply strategies from a completely new perspective. By boosting productivity through automation, companies can enhance flexibility—robotic automation delivers not only higher productivity and agility but also greater operational security.
“Advancements in robotics technology are accelerating adoption,” added Dr. Bieller. “The Covid-19 pandemic has sped up the use of robotics. In this sense, the pandemic has proven to be the single biggest catalyst for transformative change in the industry.”
