Nearly two million industrial robots are expected to be installed in factories around the world between 2020 and 2022. The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) shows the most important trends in innovation. These are: simplification of programming and operation, collaboration and digitization.
Intelligent robotics and automation are essential to deal with new consumer trends, the demand for product diversity or the challenges posed by trade barriers, "says Dr. Susanne Bieller, Secretary General of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR)." New technological solutions pave the way for more flexibility in the Production.
Machine learning - robots learn by trying out
This makes installing and programming robots easier and easier. Digital sensors in connection with intelligent software enable direct teach-in processes of robots, the so-called "programming by demonstration".
The tasks that the robot arm is supposed to carry out are initially carried out by a human: To do this, the human grasps the robot arm and performs the desired movements with it. This data is then converted by the software into the digital program of the robot arm.
In the future, machine learning tools will even enable robots to learn through trial and error or through video demonstrations and to optimize their movements themselves.
Robot reacts to gestures of its human colleague
The collaboration between humans and robots is another important trend in robotics. The ability to work with people means that modern robotic systems are able to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. The range of collaborative applications offered by robot manufacturers is constantly expanding.
Currently, common workspace applications are the most common. Robots and workers carry out their processing steps one after the other. Applications in which humans and robots work on the same part at the same time are even more demanding.
Research and development focus on methods that enable robots to react in real time. Just as two human workers would work together, the robot's movements should adapt to its environment. These solutions include voice, gestures and recognizing intentions from human movements. With today's technology, human-robot cooperation already has enormous potential for companies of all sizes and industries. Collaborative operations will complement investments in traditional industrial robots.
OPC Robotics Companion Specification defines interfaces
Industrial robots are central elements of digital and networked production as used in Industry 4.0. As a result, robots must be able to communicate with one another - regardless of the manufacturer. The so-called "OPC Robotics Companion Specification", which was developed by a joint working group of the VDMA and the Open Platform Communications Foundation (OPC), defines a standardized generic interface for industrial robots and enables industrial robots to be connected to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT ).
The digital connectivity of robots e.g. Cloud technology is also an enabler for new business models: Robot leasing, for example called Robots-as-a-Service - has advantages that could be particularly attractive for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): no capital commitment, no fixed costs, automatic Upgrades and no need for highly skilled robot operators.
Robots against labor shortages?
There is likely to be a shortage in the future not only of highly qualified robot operators, but also of skilled workers in general. By 2040 the labor market in Germany will be missing ten million people compared to today due to demographic change. To compensate for the consequences, 77 percent of the industry decision-makers already rely on “colleague” robots. In addition to corporations, smaller companies are also increasingly affected by this development: According to a forecast, 84 percent consider the widespread use of robot technology in medium-sized companies not to be a question of “if” but “when”.
These are the results of the automatica trend index 2020.
A market research institute commissioned by the automation technology trade fair automatica surveyed a total of 100 specialists and executives in Germany who make decisions about robotics and automation in industrial companies.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, around a quarter of all employed people currently work in the industrial sector alone - that's around eleven million people. At the same time, a total of around 216,000 industrial robots are currently in use in this segment. This puts Germany in fifth place worldwide - according to the latest figures from the International Federation of Robotics. In terms of robot density, there are around
1,270 units for every 10,000 employees in the automotive industry and around 340 in manufacturing.
Against the background of demographic change and the changing world of work, robotics and automation make a very important contribution to ensuring global competitiveness and keeping people in employment for longer, ”says Patrick Schwarzkopf, VDMA Robotics and Automation. “Robots are very good at taking on individual tasks. For example, the employees in the team with the robot are relieved of dangerous,unhealthy and monotonous tasks. At the same time, the speed and precision of robots can increase productivity significantly. ”According to the survey, 77 percent of industry decision-makers confirm that robots already play a key role in responding to labor shortages and driving automation forward.
Most important reasons for using robots
According to around 80 percent of the experts in industrial companies, the most important reasons for manufacturing with robots in the future include:
- Taking heavy loads off people
- The handling of dangerous materials
- Taking on monotonous work
At the same time, 81 percent report that the programming of robots has tended to become easier, paving the way for use in medium-sized companies.
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