The crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed robotic automation even further beyond traditional uses. Service robots are increasingly being adopted for new applications due to various advantages such as:

• Increased productivity
• Streamlined processes
• More excellent workplace safety

Over the next several years, new markets will likely see an increase in robotics use. The most likely sectors to deploy robotic automation systems include:

• Consumer/Retail
• Healthcare
• Automotive
• Electronics

These sectors will likely use robotics closely with artificial intelligence (AI). All new areas will require more people to develop skills in robotics training and robotics education.

The world is ready to charge into a new, post-pandemic era. Companies in every area of robotics, automation, and AI are positioned to thrive like never before in this ‘new normal.’ Here are just a few of the exciting trends for investors to watch in 2024.

Robots help to secure supply chains

The pandemic made the weakness of globalized supply chains visible. Manufacturers have the opportunity to rethink supply with a completely different outlook. Manufacturers’ flexibility has increased with leveled productivity through automation. This may not have been available in high-wage countries like the European Union, North America, Japan, or the Republic of Korea. Robotic automation offers productivity, flexibility, and security.

Robots work in smart factories

The automotive industry pioneered smart factory solutions. They utilize industrial robots throughout assembly lines that have dominated traditional automobile production for more than 100 years. The future belongs to the networked interaction of robots and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). It is only necessary to reprogram the robots and AMRs rather than to dismantle the entire production line.

Commercial drones

Advances in commercial drone technology include the development of autonomous systems that can navigate beyond the visual line of sight, as well as improved sensors, batteries, lightweight body materials, and payloads. For example, 3D Robotics has developed a self-monitoring smart drone with advanced sensor and automation technologies, making it a good candidate for logistics, transportation, and military applications.

Robots enter new markets

The connectivity breakthroughs contribute to increased robot adoption in manufacturing sectors that have only recently turned to automation, such as food and beverage, textiles, wood products, and plastics. Ongoing digital transformation will lead to completely new business models because producers can diversify more easily than ever. Different products are assembled subsequently by the same equipment in the smart factory. The traditional production line no longer exists

Robots reduce carbon footprint

Investments in modern robotic automation will also be driven by the requirement for a smaller carbon footprint. Modern robots are energy-efficient, thus directly reducing the energy consumption of production. Through higher precision, they also produce fewer rejections and substandard goods.

Self-healing robots

Advances in self-healing technologies enable robots to conduct simple repairs on themselves. A research team in Europe has developed robotics made from flexible plastics with embedded sensor fibers that detect damage to their structure and stimulate them to make repairs, without the need for a human repairman.

Customized robots

More manufacturers are customizing their industrial robots to meet the exact needs of their operations. Six-axis robots are preferred because they have a larger workspace. They can be customized to handle a wide range of manufacturing applications. They can be further enhanced by adding robot-mounted or fixed camera systems that are integrated with the robot controls to create specific, efficient motions for particular tasks.

To conclude

Robotic automation is a rapidly evolving technology. In just a few decades, industrial robots have become commonplace in factory settings across the world, and they only continue to gain popularity for their productivity and profitability. Robotics has created a revolution in almost every industry– it’s important to keep an eye on what’s coming next because this technology is far from done disrupting the way we manufacture and distribute products.