The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Industrial Roboverse

Disruptive Technologies

Why

•   Digitalization of factories is gradually exerting an influence on the skills required, and the current workforce is not equipped to handle these emerging requirements.
•   A significant percentage of the workforce in manufacturing is approaching retirement age, and as they retire, a vast amount of experience and knowledge will be lost.
•   The growing emphasis on sustainability augments skills complexity and will require knowledge of green technologies and energy efficiency practices.

Frost Perspective

•  With interest in automation expected to increase during the next decade, collaboration and simplification will become key factors.
•   As SMEs consider automation, a plug-and-play model that does not require prior programming knowledge will be preferred.
•   The evolution of human-robot collaboration will see workers and robots working in tandem in fence-less working environments.

Transformative Megatrends

Why

•   AI is providing the means to achieve efficiency and precision that was previously unattainable. Advancements in AI/ML will play a key role in the future of robotics.
•   AI/ML helps robots in decision-making, improves object handling, heightens autonomous capabilities, and augments task efficiency.
•  Integrating data from vision systems and other sensors will enhance robot navigation and perception.

Frost Perspective

• The emergence of generative AI and natural language processing (NLP) is paving the way for improved human-robot interactions.
• Reinforcement learning will enhance robotic navigation, manipulation, and coordination. AI-processed sensor data will support reinforcement learning.
• With a massive push to develop humanoid robots in China, advancements in AI/ML and vision systems will greatly drive this industry.

Internal Challenges

Why

• Accounting for more than 50% of global robot sales in 2022 and 2023, China is creating a robotic revolution.
• Chinese companies are venturing into certain product markets previously catered to only by the top robotic participants.
• Furthermore, technology advancements such as AI are spurring a wave of new entrants, resulting in a crowded market.

Frost Perspective

• Chinese companies will penetrate other regional markets and accelerate expansion during the short term as they bridge the gap in terms of quality.
• Consolidation is expected as large robot manufacturers acquire new entrants.
• Government policies in China will continue to drive investments in robotics. China is expected to become the robotics hub, and stakeholders will reconfigure their global supply chains.

Vendor Landscape

• Associations

  • Association for Advancing Automation
  • VDMA
  • Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International
  • Japan Robotics Association
  • Korea Association of Robot Industry
  • International Federation of Robotics

• System Integrators
  • enVista, LLC.
  • JR Automation
  • Invio Automation
  • Jabil Inc.
  • Optimation
  • Bastian Solutions
  • TW Automation
  • RNA Automation Limited

• OEMs
  • ABB
  • Fanuc Corporation
  • Kuka AG
  • Locus Robotics
  • ANYbotics
  • Kawasaki Heavy Industries
  • Stäubli International AG
  • Yaskawa
  • Kinova Inc.
  • Boston Dynamics
  • Rethink Robotics, Inc
  • Clearpath Robotics
  • Universal Robots A/S
  • Relay Robotics, Inc.
  • Denso Robotics
  • AUBO (BEIJING) ROBOTICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
  • Doosan Robotics Inc.
  • Omron Corporation
  • AGILOX Services GmbH
  • Comau

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• Component Manufacturers
  • Zebra Technologies Corp.
  • Sick AG
  • Cognex Corporation
  • Siemens
  • Moxa Inc.
  • SCHUNK SE & Co. KG
  • Bosch Rexroth AG
  • Basler AG

• Software Developers
  • Visual Coponents
  • Vention
  • OnRobot A/S
  • MiR
  • Octopuz
  • Vecna Robotics
  • GreyOrange