Industry Focus Robotics
1. Industrial robotics have replaced humans in hazardous and repetitive work since the 1930s.
2. Robotics can create jobs and move people toward more important and higher-level tasks that add value.
3. The robotics market is showing solid and consistent growth, with the largest market in Asia.
4. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are being replaced with Autonomous Mobile Robotics (AMRs) as Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) become more popular.
An exploration of the history of industrial robotics and future trends
WHEN YOU THINK OF ROBOTS, what first comes to mind? Perhaps Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of a humanoid assassin from the future in Terminator, or Baymax, the friendly healthcare assistant from Big Hero 6? Robots have alternately been viewed with both fascination and fear by humans, as seen in the many different visions of robots
featured in popular culture, through comics, films and books.
Regardless of any perceptions of robots, they are both visibly - and invisibly - playing a more prevalent role in our lives.
The beginning of industrial robotics
The earliest industrial robots were produced in the United States in the 1930s. These were modeled on the human arm, designed to have similar types of movement to imitate pushing, pulling, lifting and pressing. Programming was difficult and time consuming, but made repetitive work considered unpleasant for human workers safer, quicker and easier.
The first true industrial robot, similar in appearance to those that we think of today, was ‘Unimate’ - a portmanteau of ‘Universal Automation’. Digitally reprogrammable and capable of dexterous manipulation, the robotic arm was intended to replace humans in repetitive and hazardous tasks. Though originally created in the 1950s, they weren’t widely implemented until the patent was acquired in the 60s by Joseph Engleberger, often considered the ‘father of robotics’. In 1961, these were installed in a General Motors manufacturing facility to move hot die-cast metals and weld car components together, changing the face of automotive manufacturing forever.
The Unimate company had very little competition until the 1970s, when the market was shaken up by several large Japanese conglomerates manufacturing similarly styled robots. This enthusiasm rapidly spread to Europe, leading to the first commercially available micro-processor-controlled robot. By the end of the '70s, the industry was booming, and US competitors and start-ups began to enter the market.
The perils and the positives
The term ‘Robot’ is from the Czech word for ‘forced labor’, originally used in a play by Karel Čapek about a mechanical workforce that rebelled against their human creators. Perhaps justifiably, many workers have a fear of automation, and the loss of jobs that can come with it. “But actually, we needn’t consider robots in this way,” says Yusuke Takita, Team Leader, Marketing Department at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions in Japan.
“They can create more jobs and move people away from repetitive or hazardous tasks to more important and higher level jobs that truly add value.”
Humankind already makes good use of robots to operate in hostile environments. The industrial arms mentioned previously can handle high temperatures and poisonous
atmospheres, but as a more extreme example, consider the Exploration Rovers that traversed the surface of Mars to provide scientists with valuable data about the planet. “Use of robots can advance humanity as a whole, especially when working alongside them. And, as costs fall, more menial tasks can be further automated,” says Yusuke.
From healthcare facilities to factories, many tasks could be seen as consuming too much time for a fully qualified worker or doctor. With increased focus over the past decade on increasing efficiency and optimization, freeing people for more important work is crucial. Simple tasks could be performed by a robot that would previously be considered too expensive, with machines designed to reduce repetitive strain injuries or to lift and transport heavy loads, further reducing the harmful impacts that work can have on humans.
“Use of robots can advance humanity as a whole, especially when working alongside them.”
Manufacturing execution systems (MES) are computerized systems used in manufacturing to track and document the transformation of raw materials to finished goods. MES provide information that helps manufacturing decision makers understand how current conditions on the plant floor can be optimized to improve production output. MES work in real time to enable the control of multiple elements of the production process (e.g., inputs, personnel, machines and support services).
Expanding market
Though the market this year shows signs of slowing down due to COVID-19, positive growth is expected in the long-term. In 2010, at least 120,000 robots were installed in factories. Five years later, 254,000 units began their diligent work in production lines across the world. The latest reports state that in 2018, more than 400,000 robots were installed across the globe, estimated at a worth of $16.5 billion, with the entire industry growing by 6% and further growth expected in coming years.
Even now, 60 years later, the automotive industry is the largest purchaser of industrial robotics. “Thirty percent of industrial robots are being sold to automotive companies. Investments in new modern production methods and increased production capacity in emerging markets have increased demand,” says Yusuke. “But the electronics market is definitely competing for the number one spot now.”
Globally, Asia is the largest market for industrial robotics. “Two out of every three new robots in 2018 were installed in Asia,” comments Yusuke. And, when looking at the figures, it’s hard not to notice that five countries stand out. “China, Japan, the US, the Republic of Korea and Germany actually account for 74% of global robot sales.” says Yusuke.
2020 and beyond
As Industry 4.0 encourages manufacturing trends that incorporate more automation and data-driven approaches (the so-called ‘fourth industrial revolution’), the robotics industry is the natural forerunner for many of these systems.
“We’re seeing increased desire for complete autonomy using Artificial Intelligence (AI), not just in production, but ordering and transporting, now termed Manufacturing Execution Systems, which tie in with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP),” says Yusuke. “The robots are fully integrated into the system and improve all the time as more and better data is available and more connectivity is possible. Demand for trainable AIs and upscaling of existing systems is also increasing as companies explore this exciting new field.
Much of Trelleborg’s focus is in the already huge industrial robotics market, where we can add value to new applications requiring precise motion with advanced specifications.
“We’re also expecting to see further movement from automation to autonomy” continues Yusuke. “Automated Guided Vehicles, which rely on something like lines, wires or magnets to navigate are more often being replaced by Autonomous Mobile Robotics.”
Unlike AGVs, AMRs don’t require supporting infrastructure and are being frequently implemented for picking optimization and fleet management. They need just ‘start’ and ‘finish’ locations and can safely navigate around obstacles, choosing the most efficient alternate route.
As costs come down, more personal-use robots are entering the market with interesting new purposes. In the not-sodistant future, you could have a robot ‘coach’ that analyses your form while weight-lifting or playing sports and tells you how to correct your posture and form, while another robot teaches your children in school. “Healthcare and Medical can certainly gain from recent technological innovations. AI-based, data-driven diagnostic systems, personalized medicine and assistants for the disabled are more than possible now,” finishes Yusuke.
MORE INFORMATION
Find out more about how Trelleborg Sealing Solutions supports the robotics industry.
Watch the film:
Sealing Solutions for Robotics Applications at www.tss.trelleborg.com/films
Read the brochure:
www.tss.trelleborg.com/literature