Breakthrough Trends for Robotics In 2024

Smart power-saving modes control the robot's energy supply on demand. Connected power sensors are expected to become the industry standard for robotic solutions, ensuring efficient and sustainable production.

Fremont, CA: Robots are transforming industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and customer service with their advanced capabilities and efficiency, revolutionizing productivity and transforming business operations. Here are five things that will change the robotics industry.

1. Energy Efficiency

Robotics can significantly reduce energy consumption in manufacturing by reducing heating and working at high speeds. Today's industrial robots are designed to consume less energy, leading to lower operating costs. To meet sustainability targets, companies use energy-saving technology, which converts kinetic energy into electricity and feeds it back into the power grid. Smart power-saving modes control the robot's energy supply on demand. Connected power sensors are expected to become the industry standard for robotic solutions, ensuring efficient and sustainable production.

2. Reshoring

Resilience is a key factor in reshoring various industries, such as car manufacturing, where short supply lines bring processes closer to customers. Robot automation is used to manufacture powerful batteries cost-effectively and in large quantities, making the shipment of heavy batteries redundant. Relocating microchip production back to the US is another trend, as semiconductor chip supply is crucial for industrial products. Robots are vital in automating silicon wafer fabrication, chip manufacturing, cleaning tasks, and testing integrated circuits.

3. Robots Becoming Easier To Use

Robot programming has become more accessible and user-friendly, with software-driven automation platforms enabling companies to manage industrial robots without prior programming experience. Original equipment manufacturers collaborate with low-code or no-code technology partners, opening new opportunities for robotics automation. Software start-ups provide specialized solutions for small and medium-sized companies, with the emergence of the low-cost robotics segment.

4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) And Digital Automation

Digital technologies are revolutionizing manufacturing by enabling connected robots to operate in a digital ecosystem. Cloud computing, Big Data Analytics, and 5G networks optimize performance, making cables obsolete. Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds great potential for robotics, managing variability and unpredictability. AI-supporting machine learning in software offers optimized processes, predictive maintenance, and vision-based gripping, providing cost-effective solutions for high-variability environments.

5. Second Life for Industrial Robots

Industrial robots have a service life of up to thirty years, offering a "second life" for old ones. Manufacturers run specialized repair centers near customers to refurbish or upgrade used units efficiently, saving costs and resources. This prepare-to-repair strategy contributes to the circular economy by offering long-term repair services to customers.