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It’s time to replicate upon the tendencies from the previous 12 months whereas wanting forward at what 2024 has in retailer for the world of robotics.
2023 was an thrilling yr for innovation. The emergence of synthetic intelligence (AI) applied sciences, together with generative AI, captured international consideration and dominated headlines. Nonetheless, the adoption of generative AI for companies continues to be very a lot in its early phases and questions round how greatest to harness this know-how stay on the forefront of many minds.
Digital transformation is an ongoing course of, so we are able to count on to see this yr’s breakthrough tendencies persevering with to form society into subsequent yr. However how will these tendencies influence robotics and what can the manufacturing trade count on to see subsequent yr?
1. AI will set a brand new tempo of improvement in robotics
AI is reworking the world of software program improvement, making it cheaper, sooner, and simpler. Software program is a key part of automation, and with AI, software program builders will have the ability to create extra custom-made and optimized options for numerous duties and challenges. If software program improvement has typically felt like digging with a shovel, the introduction of AI is like bringing two horses and a plow to the method. Nonetheless, automation experience will stay a scarce and helpful useful resource within the means of AI revolutionizing manufacturing.
It has been fascinating, and maybe shocking, to see AI altering the lives of workplace employees earlier than it touches working practices in most factories. I look ahead to seeing the advantages of machine studying attain extra producers in 2024. In any case, the know-how is already there – we have now many companions creating purposes utilizing AI to permit our robots to carry out extra advanced and numerous features. For instance, AI permits robots to have human-like notion, deal with variation, transfer elements exactly, adapt to altering environments, and be taught from their very own expertise.
With time, these capabilities will result in unprecedented flexibility, high quality, and reliability in manufacturing.
2. Developments in robotics software program will allow extra sharing and reuse
Robotics software program is the glue that binds customers to their mechanical counterparts – a digital connectivity that transcends bodily interplay.
Software program developments are enabling a brand new dimension of collaboration – connecting the individuals who use robots. 2024 will see software program developments resulting in new ranges of sharing and reusability. Think about a world the place, as an alternative of reinventing the wheel, we leverage current software program belongings — parts, interfaces, algorithms — throughout a number of purposes. It’s a precept that already underpins our UR+ accomplice ecosystem, streamlining innovation and lowering time-to-market. I can’t wait to see this evolve in 2024.
Submit your nominations for innovation awards within the 2024 RBR50 awards.
3. Corporations will fuse IT and OT utilizing knowledge to enhance operations
The way forward for manufacturing is intricately linked to IT/OT integration as knowledge will underpin innovation and effectivity. Analysis reveals that the manufacturing trade has been on the forefront of adopting cloud-based software program providers and we’re already seeing some prospects use these to boost high quality, value effectivity, and predictability. That makes me assured that 2024 will see the expansion of data-driven logistics and manufacturing programs.
Many nonetheless have an outdated view of the cloud as merely being a knowledge collector and backup perform, as we all know it from our personal lives. However the true potential and energy don’t lie in storing knowledge and even in linking machines. The true transformative leap comes when cloud-based software program providers join people and machines and assist producers simplify advanced processes and make smarter choices.
The advantages of this digital evolution are vital. Distant entry to manufacturing knowledge permits fast responses to points and steady automation enchancment. With dynamic programs now important, trusted cloud applied sciences provide the most recent in safety and state-of-the-art providers. Industrial Web of Issues (IIOT) firms spotlight this development, promising improved effectivity and lowered downtime via Total Tools Effectiveness (OEE) visualization and predictive upkeep.
As we method 2024, producers stand to realize from these developments, attaining increased high quality, lowered downtime, higher predictability, and value optimization. This transition is a strategic necessity, supporting the shift in direction of high-volume, high-mix manufacturing, resilient provide chains, aggressive knowledge utilization, and sustainability targets.
4. Logistics might be a spotlight space for robotics
Earlier this yr, Work together Evaluation checked out projected progress charges in robotic shipments throughout industries. The stand-out projected progress space? Logistics, the place Work together Evaluation put the projected CAGR for collaborative robotics (cobots) at 46% for 2023-2027. I’m not shocked as the marketplace for non-industrial purposes is rising quick.
Like manufacturing, many logistics firms face critical labor shortages whereas stress is growing on account of globalization, e-commerce, and sophisticated multi-channel provide chains. Extra logistics, warehouse, and distribution facilities will flip to automation subsequent yr to offer providers sooner and with better accuracy.
Dealing with the problem of surging e-commerce calls for, for instance, one logistics firm we labored with revolutionized its achievement middle with cobots, leading to a 500% surge in effectivity and order accuracy. The automation system, adept at processing hundreds of orders day by day, significantly excelled throughout peak durations, like Black Friday, the place a robotic managed as much as 4,400 orders in at some point with only a small crew for replenishment.
Robots – and the sensible use of information – are poised to revolutionize logistics companies throughout the entire worth chain from incoming packages to outbound logistics.
The tempo of improvement in robotics stays spectacular – I look ahead with nice anticipation to a different thrilling yr of progress.
Concerning the Creator
Anders Billesø Beck leads the event of cobot applied sciences to maintain international companies agile, productive and modern. Anders is vice chairman for technique and innovation at Common Robots, the worldwide chief in versatile automation, and holds a PhD in robotics from DTU, the Technical College of Denmark.
He’s a former elite swimmer and member of the Danish nationwide crew, and he has additionally held main positions on the Danish Technological Institute. Anders combines his scientific background with contributions to the worldwide collaborative automation trade to vary the best way the world works.