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It’s time to replicate upon the developments 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 world consideration and dominated headlines. However, the adoption of generative AI for companies remains to be very a lot in its early phases and questions round how finest to harness this know-how stay on the forefront of many minds.
Digital transformation is an ongoing course of, so we are able to anticipate to see this yr’s breakthrough developments persevering with to form society into subsequent yr. But how will these developments influence robotics and what can the manufacturing business anticipate 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 more practical. Software is a key element of automation, and with AI, software program builders will have the ability to create extra personalized 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. However, automation experience will stay a scarce and helpful useful resource within the technique of AI revolutionizing manufacturing.
It has been attention-grabbing, and maybe stunning, to see AI altering the lives of workplace employees earlier than it touches working practices in most factories. I stay up for seeing the advantages of machine studying attain extra producers in 2024. After all, the know-how is already there – we have now many companions creating functions utilizing AI to permit our robots to carry out extra advanced and various capabilities. 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 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. Imagine a world the place, as an alternative of reinventing the wheel, we leverage present software program belongings — elements, interfaces, algorithms — throughout a number of functions. It’s a precept that already underpins our UR+ associate 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. Companies will fuse IT and OT utilizing information to enhance operations
The future of producing is intricately linked to IT/OT integration as information will underpin innovation and effectivity. Research reveals that the manufacturing business has been on the forefront of adopting cloud-based software program providers and we’re already seeing some clients use these to boost high quality, price 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 an information collector and backup operate, as we all know it from our non-public lives. But the true potential and energy don’t lie in storing information and even in linking machines. The actual transformative leap comes when cloud-based software program providers join people and machines and assist producers simplify advanced processes and make smarter selections.
The advantages of this digital evolution are important. Remote entry to manufacturing information allows 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 Internet of Things (IIOT) firms spotlight this development, promising improved effectivity and diminished downtime by means of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) visualization and predictive upkeep.
As we strategy 2024, producers stand to realize from these developments, reaching increased high quality, diminished downtime, higher predictability, and price optimization. This transition is a strategic necessity, supporting the shift in direction of high-volume, high-mix manufacturing, resilient provide chains, aggressive information utilization, and sustainability targets.
4. Logistics will probably be a spotlight space for robotics
Earlier this yr, Interact Analysis checked out projected development charges in robotic shipments throughout industries. The stand-out projected development space? Logistics, the place Interact Analysis put the projected CAGR for collaborative robotics (cobots) at 46% for 2023-2027. I’m not stunned as the marketplace for non-industrial functions is rising quick.
Like manufacturing, many logistics firms face severe labor shortages whereas stress is growing on account of globalization, e-commerce, and sophisticated multi-channel provide chains. More logistics, warehouse, and distribution facilities will flip to automation subsequent yr to offer providers sooner and with higher accuracy.
Facing the problem of surging e-commerce calls for, for instance, one logistics firm we labored with revolutionized its success middle with cobots, leading to a 500% surge in effectivity and order accuracy. The automation system, adept at processing 1000’s of orders each 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 good use of knowledge – 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.
About the Author
Anders Billesø Beck leads the event of cobot applied sciences to maintain world companies agile, productive and modern. Anders is vp for technique and innovation at Universal Robots, the worldwide chief in versatile automation, and holds a PhD in robotics from DTU, the Technical University of Denmark.
He is a former elite swimmer and member of the Danish nationwide staff, and he has additionally held main positions on the Danish Technological Institute. Anders combines his scientific background with contributions to the worldwide collaborative automation business to vary the best way the world works.
