New technology simplifies automation

The inventory of operational robots around the world has reached a new record of about 3.9 million. This demand is being driven by a number of exciting technological innovations. The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) lists five key innovations.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

The trend of using artificial intelligence in robotics and automation continues to grow. The rise of generative AI is enabling new solutions. This subset of AI specializes in creating something new from things it has learned through training and has been made popular by tools such as ChatGPT. Robot manufacturers are developing generative AI-driven interfaces that allow users to program robots more intuitively by using natural language instead of code. Workers no longer need specialized programming skills to select and customize the robot's actions.

Cobots expand into new applications

Human-robot collaboration remains a major trend in robotics, according to the IFR. Rapid advances in sensors, vision technologies and smart grippers allow robots to react to changes in their environment in real time, working safely alongside human workers. Collaborative robotic applications offer a new tool for human workers to relieve and support them. They can help with tasks that require heavy lifting, repetitive motions or working in hazardous environments. A recent market development is the increase in cobot welding applications, driven by a shortage of skilled welders. This demand demonstrates that automation is not causing a labor shortage, but rather a means to solve this shortage. Cobots will therefore complement - not replace - investments in traditional industrial robots, which operate at much higher speeds and therefore will continue to be important for improving productivity in response to tight product margins. New companies are also entering the market with a specific focus on cobots. Consider, for example, the combination of collaborative robotic arms and mobile robots (AMRs). This combination in turn enables new applications.

Mobile manipulators

Mobile manipulators - called "MoMas" - automate material handling tasks in industries such as automotive, logistics or aerospace. They combine the mobility of robotic platforms with the agility of manipulator arms. This allows them to navigate through complex environments and manipulate objects. This is crucial for applications in manufacturing. Equipped with sensors and cameras, these robots perform inspections and maintenance tasks on machines and equipment.

Digital twins

Digital twin technology is increasingly being used as a tool to optimize the performance of a physical system by creating a virtual replica. As robots are increasingly digitally integrated into factories, digital twins can use their real-world operational data to run simulations and predict likely outcomes. Because the twin exists purely as a computer model, it can be tested and modified without safety implications while saving costs. All experiments can be verified before touching the physical world itself. Digital twins bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds.

Humanoid robots

Robotics is witnessing significant advances in humanoids designed to perform a wide range of tasks in different environments. Due to its humanoid design with two arms and two legs, the robot can be flexibly deployed in working environments that are actually made for humans. It can therefore be easily integrated into existing warehouse processes and infrastructure, for example. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) predicts that humanoids are likely to become another disruptive technology, similar to computers or smartphones, that could change the way we produce goods and the way people live.

Multidisciplinary

"The five mutually reinforcing automation trends in 2024 demonstrate that robotics is a multidisciplinary field where technologies come together to create intelligent solutions for a wide range of tasks," said Marina Bill, president of the International Federation of Robotics. "These advances continue to shape the convergence of the industrial and service robotics sectors and the future of work."