21, October 2024
In the 21st century, robotics is a rapidly growing field that focuses on creating machines—known as robots—that can perform repetitive or dangerous tasks typically done by humans. Today, modern robots often include artificial intelligence (AI), allowing them to handle complex tasks with some level of independence. Many of these robots are equipped with sensors that give them abilities similar to human senses, such as seeing and touching. As the influence of robotics expands, understanding these emerging trends is crucial for grasping the full potential of this transformative technology.
Let us take a look at these interesting statistics by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) given in their 2023 report:
553,052 new robots were installed worldwide in 2022, representing a 5% increase from the previous year
Asia remains the powerhouse of the robots market, with 73% of all newly deployed robots in the region
China, the world’s largest adopter of robots, saw installations rise by 5% to 290,258 units, surpassing previous records
Japan followed with 50,413 new installations, a 9% increase that takes it beyond pre-pandemic levels
South Korea, maintaining its position as the fourth-largest market globally, saw a modest 1% increase to 31,716 units
As the global demand for industrial robots continues to rise, driven by factors such as the push for automation and advancements in technology, the IFR projects that the market will expand by an additional 7% in 2023, potentially reaching close to 600,000 new installations. This sustained growth underscores the increasing reliance on robotics as a vital component of industrial and economic advancement.
As robotics continues to evolve, its applications are expanding into new areas, demonstrating the versatility and potential of these technologies across different domains. Beyond the traditional sectors, robotics is finding new applications in education, entertainment, personal assistance, energy, and logistics.
Education: Enhancing Teaching and Learning
Robotics has become an essential tool for enhancing both teaching and learning experiences in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. In 2024, ABB launched the IRB 1090, an educational robot authenticated by STEM.org, designed to provide hands-on experience with advanced robotics. Similarly, Elephant Robotics introduced the AI Robot Kit 2023, aimed at fostering creativity and technical skills among students. These product launches highlight the growing importance of accessible and effective educational robotics tools.
Entertainment and Media: Robotics in Creative Industries
The entertainment industry is embracing robotics as a central element in creative endeavors, pushing the boundaries of performance, storytelling, gaming, music, and live events. Robots are becoming collaborators in the creative process, enabling new forms of immersive experiences and redefining how audiences engage with entertainment.
An interesting case study is of the NEON Group, in collaboration with Boston Dynamics. In 2023, the former announced the development of mobile robot experiences that blend robotics with storytelling, creating new immersive entertainment forms. Similarly, in June 2024, Apple revealed its development of a tabletop robot designed for home entertainment, offering interactive experiences that are set to redefine domestic entertainment.
Personal Assistants
The use of robots as personal assistants is gaining traction, particularly in optimizing home and office environments. A study conducted by the Department of Computer Engineering at The Hashemite University explored the effectiveness of the DARWIN-OP2 robot in improving office ergonomics for students. Equipped with a reinforcement algorithm and communication capabilities, the robot was tested on 31 student participants. The results showed that the robot effectively provided health exercises that alleviated users’ pains, making it a valuable tool for enhancing office ergonomics.
In March 2024, Rapyuta Robotics introduced the ‘Put-to-Light’ function on its PA-AMR, a collaborative robot designed to reduce errors. This innovation highlights the growing role of robotics in both domestic and professional automation, offering solutions that enhance efficiency and productivity in everyday tasks.
Logistics and Delivery: Revolutionizing the Last Mile
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is revolutionizing logistics, particularly in the last mile of delivery processes. A case study on RPA in logistics demonstrated that robotic automation significantly reduced costs in a production company by approximately 10%. This showcases the tangible benefits of RPA, which is becoming a global trend in enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Accenture and Mujin established a joint venture in January 2024, focusing on integrating AI and robotics into logistics and manufacturing. This collaboration aims to enhance automation in supply chain processes, marking a significant advancement in logistics innovation.
Robotics in the Energy Sector: Improving Inspection and Safety
The energy sector is also rapidly embracing robotics to enhance industrial inspection and safety, driven by innovations like those from Energy Robotics. In June 2023, Energy Robotics received the IEEE RAS Award for its advanced ‘robot and cloud brain’ system, which enables autonomous robots and drones to inspect production facilities in the oil, gas, chemical, and utility sectors. This technology addresses the ongoing shortage of skilled workers by providing continuous, reliable data collection and significantly improving occupational safety and environmental protection.
Robotics in Deep-Sea Exploration & Hazardous Environment Operations
Robots are playing an essential role in exploring dangerous environments and responding to disasters. Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are used to explore areas that are too risky or inaccessible for human divers, leading to important discoveries and research. Hence, robotics is making deep-sea exploration safer and more thorough. Robots like Boston Dynamics’ Spot are being deployed in hazardous environments, such as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster site, to inspect radiation levels and check structural integrity, which would be too dangerous for humans.
Similarly, in disaster situations, robots are vital for assessing damage, locating survivors, and delivering aid. Ground robots and drones are often used after events like earthquakes or floods, helping rescue teams respond faster and more effectively. In April 2024, SUPCON launched the Navigator α humanoid robot, designed for complex tasks in hazardous environments. This robot represents a significant advancement in disaster management and exploration, capable of operating in conditions that are too dangerous for humans.
While robots bring numerous benefits, they also present challenges that society must address to ensure these technologies are used responsibly and ethically. A tragic example of this occurred at a Volkswagen factory in 2015, where a worker was killed by a robot, highlighting the importance of establishing clear liability protocols and safety regulations. Hence, effective regulation and policy are essential with clear guidelines and standards to ensure the safe and ethical use of robots. For example, the EU has taken a proactive approach by developing frameworks to govern the ethical use of AI and robotics, focusing on transparency, accountability, and alignment with human rights.
As robots become more integrated into daily life, concerns about privacy and security are growing. Many robots, especially those used in homes, healthcare, and public spaces, collect and process large amounts of data, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. A stark reminder of this vulnerability was the 2017 “WannaCry” ransomware attack, which impacted a robot manufacturing facility in the US. This incident highlights the potential risks associated with robotic systems and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures.
The impact of robotics on employment is a topic of significant debate as automation increasingly take over tasks traditionally performed by humans. In fact, Goldman Sachs estimates that up to 300 million jobs could be lost or significantly altered due to the rapid adoption of robotics and automation.
However, the narrative is not solely about job losses. While some jobs may disappear, new opportunities are emerging in areas like robot maintenance, programming, and system management. This shift highlights the growing need for workforce retraining and education to help workers transition into these new, technology-driven roles. Experts also anticipate a working space wherein humans and robots can efficiently collaborate on complex work projects together for optimized outcomes, thereby boosting productivity.
AI and ML are at the forefront of next-generation robotics, allowing machines to learn from their environments and experiences. Robots are now capable of recognizing and manipulating objects, making them crucial in manufacturing and logistics. This evolution in robotics is crucial as the World Economic Forum highlights that while AI and automation might displace up to 85 million jobs by 2025, they are also expected to create 97 million new jobs, particularly in areas requiring new skills like AI, data analysis, and robotics management. Thus, the robotics industry is expected to see increased adoption of AI-driven interfaces, making robots more user-friendly and accessible.
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