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Robots play an important role in meeting the changing needs of global manufacturers, with new trends in robotics attracting more and more users.
With rising energy costs, energy efficiency is key to improving company competitiveness. The adoption of robotics technology helps reduce energy consumption in manufacturing in many ways. Significant energy savings can be achieved by reducing heating compared to traditional assembly lines. At the same time, robots work at high speeds, thereby increasing productivity and making manufacturing more time-efficient and energy-saving.
Today's robots are designed to consume less energy, thereby reducing operational costs. To achieve their sustainability goals in production, companies use industrial robots equipped with energy-saving technology: for example, robot controls that convert kinetic energy into electrical energy and feed it back into the grid. This technology significantly reduces the energy required to run robots. Another feature is intelligent power-saving mode, which controls the robot's energy supply on demand throughout the workday. Since industrial facilities still need to monitor their energy consumption today, connected power sensors are likely to become an industry standard for robotic solutions.
Robot programming has become easier and more accessible for non-experts. Software-driven automation platform providers offer companies support, allowing users to manage industrial robots without programming experience. Original equipment manufacturers partner with low-code or even no-code technology partners, allowing users of all skill levels to program robots.
Easy-to-use software combined with intuitive user experience replaces extensive robot programming and opens up new robotic automation opportunities: software startups are entering this market, providing specialized solutions for the needs of small and medium-sized companies. For example: traditional heavy-duty industrial robots can be equipped with sensors and new software that allows collaborative setup operations. This enables workers to easily adjust heavy machinery for different tasks. Thus, companies get the best of both worlds: powerful and precise industrial robot hardware and state-of-the-art collaborative robot software.
Easy-to-use programming interfaces that allow customers to set up robots themselves also promote the emerging field of low-cost robots. Many customers experimented with robot solutions in 2020 to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, using pre-configured software to handle fixtures, sensors, or controllers supports low-cost robot deployment.
Driven by advances in digital technology, robot suppliers and system integrators provide new applications and improve existing ones in terms of speed and quality. Connected robots are transforming manufacturing. Robots will increasingly operate as part of interconnected digital ecosystems: cloud computing, big data analytics, or 5G mobile networks provide the technical foundation for optimized performance. The 5G standard will enable fully digitalized production, making cables in workshops obsolete.
Artificial intelligence AI has enormous potential in robotics, bringing a range of benefits to manufacturing. The main purpose of using AI in robots is to better manage variability and unpredictability in external environments, whether in real-time or offline. This makes AI supporting machine learning play an increasingly important role in software products, where running systems benefit, such as process optimization, predictive maintenance, or vision-based grasping.
This technology helps manufacturers, logistics providers, and retailers handle frequently changing products, orders, and inventories. The greater the variability and unpredictability of the environment, the more likely AI algorithms are to provide cost-effective and quick solutions—for example, for manufacturers or wholesalers dealing with millions of different products that change regularly. AI is also useful in environments where mobile robots need to distinguish between objects or people they encounter and react differently.
Since industrial robots can have a lifespan of up to thirty years, new technology equipment presents an excellent opportunity to give old robots a "second life." Industrial robot manufacturers such as ABB, Fanuc, KUKA, Stäubli, or Yaskawa have dedicated service centers to refurbish or upgrade used equipment in a resource-efficient manner. This prepared service strategy for robot manufacturers and their customers also saves costs and resources. Providing long-term service to customers is an important contribution to the circular economy.
