Rise of the
robots & more
Andrew Allcock catches up with automation and Industry 4.0. The number of such news
stories, case studies and product releases that are arriving in Machinery’s in-box is at an
all-time high. In this article he captures the overall automation landscape and looks at a
variety of those recent in-box arrivals
The new ‘World Robotics 2020 Industrial Robots’
stock of robots globally, while ‘electrical & electronics’
accounts for 25% and the ‘metal industry’ 10%. The top
three uses for robots are handling (1,215 million),
welding (640,000) and assembling (287,000),
accounting for 80% of all robot application areas.
Continues Guerry: “In addition to that, the
consequences from the coronavirus pandemic for the
global economy cannot be fully assessed yet. The
remaining months of 2020 will be shaped by adaption to
the ‘new normal’. Robot suppliers adjust to the
demand for new applications and developing solutions.
A major stimulus from large-scale orders is unlikely this
year. China might be an exception, because the
coronavirus was rst identi ed in the Chinese city of
Wuhan in December 2019 and the country already
started its recovery in the second quarter. Other
economies report to be at the turning point right now,
but it will take a few months until this translates into
automation projects and robot demand. 2021 will see
report published in September by the International
Federation of Robotics (IFR) shows a record 2.7
million industrial robots operating in factories around the
world – an increase of 12% on the previous year. Sales of
new robots remain at a high level $13.8bn, with
373,000 units shipped globally in 2019. And although
this is 12% less versus 2018, it is still the third highest
sales volume ever recorded, the IFR underlines.
Says Milton Guerry, president of the International
Federation of Robotics: “The stock of industrial robots
operating in factories around the world today marks the
highest level in history. Driven by the success story of
smart production and automation, this is a worldwide
increase of about 85% within ve years (2014-2019).
The recent slowdown in sales by 12% re ects the dif cult
times the two main customer industries, automotive and
electrical/electronics, have experienced.”
Indeed, ‘automotive’ lays claim to 34% of the total
Above: Hurco
Europe is
emphasising the
ease with which
automation can
be accomplished
at its High
Wycombe HQ
www.is.gd/eyuyot
10 November 2020 | www.machinery.co.uk | MachineryMagazine | @MachineryTweets
/eyuyot
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