As
robots are among the hottest topics in IT today, it’s exciting to watch the
field of industrial robotics take shape. From their earliest roots on the
assembly line to advanced applications in and outside of the smart factory,
industrial robots are here to stay — and they’re making significant progress in
2018 says Maurice Woodberry.
1. Robotic Automation
Automated robots
are the ideal choice for improving the efficiency of manufacturing processes,
warehousing operations and the modern supply chain. Despite initial concerns
over lost jobs due to increased automation, it seems next-gen robotics increase
productivity. According to recent studies, the rise of robotic
automation is directly responsible for upticks in productivity
and efficiency.
2. Robot-as-a-Service
Growth in
robot-as-a-service is expected to take off in 2018 and continue
for several years. Recent estimates forecast the RaaS sector to comprise 30
percent of the global robotics market by 2020.
The concept of RaaS is
simple. These machines are likened to temporary or pay-as-you-go employees. As
such, their functionality is highly specialized, focused and limited.
3. Collaborative Robots
Collaborative
robots — or cobots — will gain a lot of traction in the manufacturing sector.
Instead of replacing current employees, these machines work alongside their
human counterparts to heighten productivity and increase efficiency.
Although most applications involving
cobots are seen in manufacturing, they have relevant uses in
other industries, too. Potential uses include tasks in food preparation,
consumer packaging, healthcare and more.
4. Drones
Interest in aerial
drones is growing. According to recent forecasts, the drone
market will explode from just $2 billion in 2016 to more than $125 billion by
2020.
Drones are useful
in many areas of manufacturing. Not only can they transport raw materials and
even finished parts from one area to the next, but they can also monitor
production lines, assess quality and count inventory. This frees up human
workers for more meaningful jobs throughout the facility.
5. Cloud Robotics
Today’s robots
aren’t necessarily designed for a singular purpose. Thanks to advanced
technologies like the Internet of Things and the cloud, this hardware can connect to other
machines, both inside the same facility and remotely, to learn new
functionality, perform preventive maintenance and verify functionality. Much
like their human counterparts, the upcoming generation of automated workers is
trainable for various tasks and assignments around the factory or warehouse
floor.
6. Market Segmentation
We’ll also see increased market
segmentation in 2018. While the production of robotics was once a
standardized process, we now see robotics in many different markets and niches.
Specific models now exist for welding, handling materials, working on the
assembly line and so on, and this robotics trend is expected to continue.
7. Robot-Specific App Stores
Smartphones and
next-gen PCs already have app stores for the
latest software utilities, but this robotics trend will soon carry
over to robotics. It’s a natural transition — with the level of customizability
expected from future robotics — and one that will let manufacturers achieve
their exact goals via next-gen automation.
8. Customizable Robots
While costs remain
one of the most prohibitive factors to full-scale implementation of next-gen
automated systems, it’s clear manufacturers want to control and customize their
hardware, too.
Companies explore
the concept of modular robots to accommodate the need for customizable robots.
Akin to a highly advanced LEGO set, these robots are the ideal solution for a future of
customized automation.
9. Robotics Engineers
There are plenty of opportunities for
robotics engineers in 2018. According to a recent report from
the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, companies added more than 125,000 robots
to factory floors between 2010 and 2017 alone — nearly all of which require
human programmers, operators and maintenance personnel. We’ll undoubtedly see
even more robots added in 2018 and beyond and, as a result, even more human
employees.
10. Governmental Regulations
All of the newfound
interest in robotics garners attention from governmental entities, too. As
expected, they’re moving to introduce new regulations and standards regarding the
use of robotics in 2018 and beyond. Proposed plans have covered
everything from commercial aerial drones to driverless cars — but we’ll likely
see even more guidelines established as robotics continue to penetrate the
modern workforce.
Driving Productivity With Next-Gen Robotics
According to Maurice Woodberry, some jobs
will almost certainly be lost to next-gen robotics, it isn’t all bad news.
There are still many scenarios where robots work alongside their human
counterparts to drive productivity or handle menial and dangerous jobs. When
used correctly and morally, robots have a lot to
offer the manufacturing industry in the 21st century.