Global Robotics Revolution: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities in the Automation Era 2024

Jakarta, INTI - In today’s era of globalization and digitalization, robotics technology is increasingly essential across various industry sectors. In 2023, global industrial robot installations reached an impressive milestone, with over 500,000 new robots installed worldwide. This figure marks the second-highest in history, highlighting the strong demand for automation technology. World Robotics 2024 projects that this trend will continue to grow, driven by advancements in AI technology and the increasing complexity of automation needs in various sectors.

Growth of the Global Robotics Industry

According to data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the stock of active industrial robots now exceeds 4.3 million units worldwide, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12% from 2018 to 2023. Among the world's main regions, Asia and Australia lead the market, accounting for 72% of global robot installations, followed by Europe (17%) and the Americas (11%). China is the country with the highest number of robot installations, contributing over 50% of the 2023 global total. Behind China, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Germany also make significant contributions to the global robotics market.

Shifting Demand in Industrial Sectors

Since 2013, the automotive and electronics sectors have been the primary adopters of robotics technology. The automotive sector once dominated the market with 45% of installations in 2013, but over time, general industries have shown rapid growth. World Robotics 2024 data shows that in 2023, general industries accounted for 42% of global robot installations, surpassing the automotive sector (30%) and electronics (28%). This shift reflects the diversification of robotics applications across different industries, including manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare.

Advancements in Robotics and AI

The development of AI and related technologies is a major driver in enhancing robot capacity and capabilities. Collaborative robots, or cobots, designed to work side-by-side with humans without safety risks, now hold a 10% share of the industrial robot market. These cobots are ideal for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking affordable and accessible automation solutions. Additionally, mobile manipulators, which can move independently, are now being deployed in logistics tasks, such as loading and unloading goods in warehouses.

Global Robotics Trends in 2024

Along with technological advances, IFR has identified five major trends in the global robotics industry for 2024:

1. AI and Machine Learning Utilization: AI now enables robots to process data faster and more accurately, boosting efficiency and reducing human errors.
2. Expansion of Collaborative Robots: Cobots are being used in new sectors like healthcare and light manufacturing.
3. Mobile Manipulators: Deployed for combined tasks, such as transporting and manipulating goods in one device.
4. Digital Twins: This technology enables real-world simulation on robots, making it ideal for testing and training before field implementation.
5. Humanoid Robots Development: The development of humanoid robots allows robots to perform more human-like physical tasks, increasing their utility in complex applications.

Challenges and Future Prospects

The global robotics industry faces several challenges that need to be addressed for sustainable growth. These challenges include:

• Skilled Workforce Shortage: As robot adoption increases, so does the demand for skilled workers to operate and maintain robots.
• Economic Uncertainty: Global economic instability can impact companies’ ability to invest in robotics technology.
• Safety and Standardization: The industry still requires clear regulations on safety standards, especially for cobots that work directly with humans.

Despite these challenges, the future prospects of the robotics industry remain bright. Robotics and AI technologies are expected to help various industries boost productivity and operational efficiency. Additionally, with the trend of increasing automation demand in SMEs, the potential for widespread robotics adoption is opening up.

The robotics industry has become an integral part of the automation and digitalization era. With continued advancements in AI, cobots, and mobile manipulators, robots are not only tools in mass production but also serve as automation solutions across multiple sectors. 2024 will be a crucial year for the industry to address new challenges and leverage opportunities to achieve more inclusive and sustainable development.