Dedham, MA; March 27, 2006: The booming market for Industrial Robotics is being driven by investments in the automotive sector and strong growth among small and medium-sized businesses. The worldwide market for Industrial Robotics is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.7% over the next five years. The hardware market was US$3,590.5 million in 2005 and is forecasted to be over US$5,118 million in 2010, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study.
The Industrial Robotics market is expected to experience high growth in developing nations that will employ industrial robots in traditional applications such as welding and material handling. Also, expect innovations that will have the potential to change the very nature of the industrial robot as it is now known. "The market for Industrial Robotics will become even more exciting as new technologies and applications emerge. Expect factory floor workers to safely partner with their robotic counterparts to work side by side," according to ARC analyst, Stefan Surpitski, ssurpitski@arcweb.com, the principal author of ARC''s Industrial Robotics Worldwide Outlook.
Software Facilitates Adoption
Both application and simulation software are advancing rapidly and are facilitating adoption of robotic systems in sectors that have either limited resources or a less skilled workforce. The age of digital manufacturing is reducing the skill level required to apply robotics such that programming and factory planning are accessible to a broader user base.
Technological Innovation
The robotics market will continue to be driven by innovation. There is a growing need among end users to speed the flow of product through the factory and consume a minimum of factory floor space. To address this problem, new robotic configurations are emerging which lend themselves to greater workflow efficiency. The technology, known as Coordinated Cellular Robotics (CCR) consists of conveyorless cells that employ robots capable of working cooperatively and simultaneously on a single workpiece.
Geographic Redistribution
Expect developed countries that are traditionally thought of as large robotics consumers to grow the robotic installed base, but at a slower pace as the market becomes more saturated. In these regions, small and medium-sized manufacturers will utilize robotic solutions to more efficiently customize products in smaller production lots. In countries where low labor rates may have prevailed over technology in years past, adoption is expected to increase at a higher rate