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What is Robotics?

Robotics is the field of creating robots. It is an interdisciplinary field where computer science, engineering, and technology all meet. People working in robotics focus on designing, building, operating, and using robots in different settings. Traditionally, the field of robotics has focused on creating robots that perform repetitive or straightforward tasks on a large scale or function in dangerous situations where humans cannot work.

However, current developments in machine learning and artificial intelligence suggest that human-robot interactions may increase in the future. The robot industry is expected to grow significantly over the next few years.

It is estimated that this sector could be worth as much as $ 260 billion by 2030. Much of this growth comes from professional service robots that perform tasks helpful to humans, such as cleaning, delivery, and transportation.

Types of Robotics

The concept of robots has existed for years, but the complexity and usage of robots have grown over the last few decades. Today, there are many practical applications for robots across various disciplines. These types of robots include:

1. Industrial: Conceivably, the most common use of robots is straightforward and redundant industrial tasks. Examples include picking and packing, assembly line processes, welding, and comparable functions. They deliver reliability, accuracy, and swiftness.
2. Army: More recent developments mean that military forces worldwide are using robots in areas such as UAVs (uncrewed aerial vehicles), UGVs (uncrewed ground vehicles), triage, and surveillance.
3. Service: One of the primary growth areas of robotics is the personal services industry. Applications include manual tasks such as food distribution and cleaning.
4. Search: We often use robots to reach hostile or otherwise inaccessible areas. An excellent example of a search robot is space exploration, such as the Curiosity Rover on Mars.
5. Dangerous environment: Specific settings, such as disaster areas, places of high radiation, and extreme environments, can be hazardous for humans to invade.
6. Medicine: Medtech robots are used in managing laboratory specimens or supporting surgery, rehabilitation, or physiotherapy in health care.
7. Entertainment: Increasingly (especially during a pandemic), people buy robots for fun: popular toy robots, robot restaurants, and giant robot statues.

Will robots take over the world in the coming future?

• Robots are already around us, whether automated machines that assemble our cars or virtual assistants who use conversational interfaces to assist around the house. However, as we have seen, they are not currently suitable for all areas of life.
• But will that change in the future? Such a scenario seems unlikely despite the fear of AI hijacking where machines replace humans as the dominant intelligence on Earth. However, Business Network PwC predicts that by the mid-2030s, up to 30% of jobs could be automated by robots.

 

• Robotic automation is a rapidly growing technology. Within a few decades, industrial robots have become commonplace in factory conditions worldwide and continue to gain popularity for productivity and profitability.
• Robotics has revolutionized the manufacturing industry. This technology does not disrupt the way products are manufactured and distributed, so it’s essential to keep an eye on what’s next.
• Within the previous five years, we have witnessed robots move from the technology under development to a critical tool for many enterprises.
• In addition, during the last two years, robotic trends such as artificial intelligence (AI) integration, ubiquitous IoT use, and rapid design have increased, all challenges such as supply chain disruption, labor shortages, and pandemic fears.
• The use of industrial robots in manufacturing and facilities continues to evolve rapidly. According to the November 2020 Reportlinker report, industrial robots are the top robot segment, growing from $ 76.6 billion in 2020 to $ 176.8 billion by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.2%.
• It has been. This growth is primarily driven by manufacturers planning to use robots to counter the looming skill gaps, especially material handling tasks.
• It is impossible to start an article related to 2022 trends and forecasts without conferring the Covid-19 pandemic. After all, it has perpetually changed the way many businesses and industries worldwide do business.
• One of its most significant impacts is related to automation. Many companies had to adapt suddenly to changes in the market and change their priorities. It is unlikely to happen in an efficient and informative way without automation.
• Many industries are increasingly adopting automation programs due to their ability to access and use analytics to anticipate and prepare for market changes and supply chain disruptions. Not surprisingly, this transition to automation will continue to influence and change the way businesses do business in 2022 and for years to come.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

RPA growth is expected to accelerate during 2022, making RPA one of the enterprise’s standard technologies. RPA is commonly used in sectors and businesses that handle many repetitive tasks. RPA enables enterprises to automate operational processes performed manually and by human employees.

With the execution of RPA, business owners can see that operational efficiency and profitability are significantly improved by reducing operational errors and overall operational costs. A good example is the healthcare sector. Many hospitals have implemented RPA to automate inventory management, invoice management, and booking schedules, giving employees more time to focus on critical tasks.

Robotics as a service (RaaS)

Some of SMEs’ most significant limitations to adding robotics to their manufacturing facilities are employee expertise and high initial investment. However, this issue no longer occurs with the growing trend of everything as a service (* aaS). Companies can now enjoy RPA through the Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model.

These subscription-based models, such as Meili FMS, often include analytics, monitoring, and preventive maintenance. Still, they provide rapid scalability and continuously adapt the platform based on current needs and requirements. It also has a wide range of benefits, such as functionality.

Rising delivery robot

As shown below, the delivery robot market is expected to grow tremendously over the next few years. The market is valued at € 188 million in 2021 and is expected to reach close to € 850 million by 2026.

The CAGR or compound annual growth pace during the projection period is 35.1%. Critical factors in the growth of this market include lowering delivery costs for last-mile deliveries and increasing venture funding. In addition, the retail and food and beverage industries are also experiencing growing demand for delivery robots, and it is estimated that the retail sector holds the largest market share during the forecast period.

Commercial drone

Advances in commercial drone technology include developing autonomous systems that can navigate beyond the line of sight and improved sensors, batteries, lightweight body materials, and payloads. For example, 3D Robotics develops self-monitoring smart drones with advanced sensors and automation technology, suitable for logistics, transportation, and military applications.

AI-compatible robot

AI-enabled robots learn at work. Use actuators, sensors, vision systems, and advanced software to collect and analyze data from your surroundings as you work for real-time improvements.

The algorithms used for AI/machine learning become more efficient as the robot performs tasks and collects more information. AI-equipped robots are already used in factory transporting materials, cleaning equipment, and inventory control.

Autonomous mobile robot (AMR) as a data acquisition platform

Demand for AMR is growing incredibly due to growing e-commerce, increased manufacturing automation, labor shortages, and mass personalization of goods. The AMR (hardware) market was marketed at only € 880 million in 2017 and is projected to reach € 6.17 billion in 2022.

Moreover, as AMRs are increasingly embraced in commercial, public spaces, they commence acting as mobile Internet of Things (IoT) hubs. Software for mobile robots alone is estimated to add € 2.64 billion to the market value of AMR hardware.

In addition to the ability to autonomously perform various tasks, such as inventory level scanning and refrigerator temperature measurements. You can also provide your enterprise with real-time data. These understandings can assist managers in improving efficiency, streamline their operations, productivity, and profitability.

Multipurpose robots and cobots

Accelerating e-commerce growth contributes to the tremendous growth of the AMR market, especially the retail industry. Many retail managers enjoy the benefits of robots for repetitive operational tasks such as inventory movement and floor cleaning.

As shopping demands and expectations grow, retailers are expected to add multipurpose robots to their teams to perform multiple tasks simultaneously while creating manageable digital workflows.

Cobots (also known as cobots) tend to be faster and more efficient than human workers, so they take over specific tasks permanently. Cobots never have to worry, as many industries suffer from labor shortages. After all, they are regarded to take over monotonous and risky work, allowing human colleagues to focus on more practical work.

Increased demand and capacity for robotics

Over the last decade, the demand for robotics has steadily increased in various industries. The robot market will grow exponentially over the next decade as the Covid-19 pandemic, labor shortage, and desire to reduce carbon dioxide emissions significantly impact humans’ ability to perform tasks. He is expected to continue.

As robots become more innovative and smarter with the help of AI, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT), so are the industries adopting robots. Think about manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and distribution centers. As many of these facilities begin to automate functions, industrial robots will be able to perform faster, more accurately, and more efficiently while eradicating inconsistencies.

Benefits of robotic process automation from a business perspective

Each industry needs to know where RPA is applicable and the value that RPA can provide to its business in terms of operating model evolution and IT landscapes. Here are eight of the most important of these benefits:

1. Improve productivity

Most robots built with RPA systems are entirely focused on a particular task. Consider an RPA bot that allows workers to create monthly reports in 20 minutes. It manually withstands 4 hours. The robot can calculate, click and navigate the screen in seconds.

This time saving is not sufficient to substitute the worker with a robot. However, it boosts the worker’s productivity and thus sustains future cost avoidance. Process automation increases your business productivity.

2. Increase efficiency

RPA software does not require a break. It functions 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Likewise, you do not take vacations or get sick. Generally, one RPA robot is comparable to 2-5 full-time employees or more. Robots can achieve the same amount of work in less time or at the same time with more work.

3. Improve accuracy

Employees are human and can make mistakes. The primary function of robot process automation is the ability to eliminate processing errors. It’s not a turnkey solution, requiring testing, training, and governance. However, as long as the business process is appropriately optimized and accurately mapped, companies do not have to worry about robots making errors as employees do.

4. Strengthen security

One of the most compelling benefits of robotic process automation is that it works at a fine-grained level. The bot performs only a single task, so you don’t have to worry about leaking information from one part to another.

The data access here is well controlled and verified. The most neglected element of RPA implementation is the myth that robots can replace the needs of human employees. However, implementation requires employees to handle systems with the skills to control the workforce, including both humans and machines.

5. Raise scalability opportunities

Robotic process automation offers you the flexibility to adjust what you need at the moment, depending on the kind and number of tasks you need for a particular purpose. Robotic automation can support your business to meet selected requirements for specific purposes. Robot workforce can be tailored to time and task-specific requirements, allowing even small businesses to meet unpredictably evolving market demands.

6. Improve analysis

RPA technology allows organizations to collect data on task execution for analytical purposes. Work patterns, cycle times, errors, and exceptions are just a few. The perceptions gained from such analyzes have several benefits, including support for process improvement initiatives.

Efficient data collection, comparison, and distinction with data collected in other disciplines enable better decision-making at micro and macro levels. In addition, companies can identify gaps that can further streamline business processes for efficiency.

7. Strengthen customer service

Most businesses today can struggle to meet the demands of a wide variety of customers. However, in RPA-adopted companies, routine, repetitive, and tedious tasks are handed over to robots, allowing employees to focus more on customer care.

Skilled and skilled workers enable businesses to meet their customers’ needs. In addition, you can use auto-generated reports like the results of your analysis to understand your customer’s requirements.

8. Non-stop

Some organizations are uncertain about replacing legacy systems due to costs or business downtime and the complexity of IT infrastructure challenges. If critical IT promotions are not guaranteed, you can leverage RPA systems to extend the life of your legacy systems and automate your day-to-day operations. RPA tools communicate with the system at the presentation layer or the UI end, just like humans.

Robots can also use their user ID and password. Implementing robotic process automation in your business is neither complex nor destructive, as the core technology program remains the same.