The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) recently listed this year's top five global robotics trends, attributing the growing demand for automation to technological innovation.

IFR noted that in 2022, the global operational robot inventory reached a new record of 3.9 million units, with the average robot density (number of robots per 10,000 human workers) rising to 151.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Enable More Robots

The trend of using artificial intelligence in robotics and automation continues to grow.

Notably, the emergence of generative AI has unlocked new possibilities. IFR explained that this subset of AI specializes in creating new content from the material it was trained on, and generative AI has already been popularized by tools like ChatGPT.

Robotics manufacturers have begun developing interfaces powered by generative AI, allowing users to program systems using natural language instead of code. Experts predict that workers will no longer need specialized programming skills to select and adjust robotic actions.

IFR stated that another example of technology integration is using predictive AI to analyze robot performance data and determine a device's future state, while predictive maintenance could reduce downtime costs for manufacturers.

According to the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, in the automotive components sector, each hour of unplanned downtime is estimated to cost $1.3 million. This suggests that predictive maintenance has cost-saving potential.

Machine learning algorithms can also optimize robots by analyzing data from multiple robots performing the same tasks. IFR noted that generally, the more data a machine learning algorithm processes, the better its performance.

Collaborative Robots Expand into New Applications

Human-robot collaboration remains a key trend in robotics technology.

Advances in sensors, vision technology, and smart grippers enable robots to respond instantly to environmental changes, allowing them to work safely alongside human workers.

Collaborative robot applications provide human workers with new tools, reducing their workload and offering support. These robots can assist with tasks that require heavy lifting, repetitive motion, or operations in hazardous environments.

The range of collaborative applications offered by robotics manufacturers continues to expand, with recent market growth driven by increased demand for collaborative welding robots due to skilled welter shortages.

Demand indicates that automation doesn't cause labor shortages but provides solutions to them.

Thus, collaborative robots will complement rather than replace investments in traditional industrial robots, which operate much faster and remain critical for boosting productivity to cope with low product profit margins.

Additionally, IFR highlighted that new competitors are entering the market, with collaborative robots as an area of focus. The integration of collaborative manipulators and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in mobile mechanical handlers offers new use cases that could expand demand for collaborative robots.

Mobile Mechanical Handlers Automate Material Handling

Mobile mechanical handlers (referred to as "MoMas") can autonomously perform material handling tasks in industries like automotive, logistics, or aerospace.

They combine the mobility of mobile robots with the dexterity of collaborative robotic arms, allowing them to navigate and manipulate objects in complex environments—crucial for manufacturing applications, said IFR.

Equipped with sensors and cameras, these robots can perform inspections and maintenance on machinery and equipment. An advantage of mobile mechanical handlers is their ability to assist and support human workers. IFR predicts that shortages in skilled labor and factory workers may increase demand.

Digital Twins Help Optimize Performance

Digital twin technology is increasingly being used to optimize physical system performance by creating virtual replicas.

As robots become more digitally integrated in factories, digital twins can leverage real-world operational data to run simulations and predict possible outcomes.

IFR stated that before interacting with the physical world, digital twin technology can test all experiments, conduct stress tests, and make modifications without safety risks, while saving costs. It effectively bridges the gap between the simulated and physical worlds.

Humanoid Robots March Forward

"Robotics technology is witnessing significant advances in humanoid robots designed to perform various tasks across environments."

IFR noted that human-like designs—with two arms and two legs—enable these robots to function flexibly in human-built spaces. This could facilitate easier integration of humanoid robots into existing infrastructure, such as warehouses.