Study on the robotics market (No. 500)

Digital technologies have been relevant in the market for industrial robotics for several decades, as software for robot control is a fundamental element for the development of classic industrial robots. The developers and manufacturers of classic industrial robots are global players such as KUKA or FANUC who typically purchase hardware and software from third parties and have their robots implemented by system integrators. A wide range of market players with a high degree of specialisation are active as component suppliers and system integrators.

Innovative digital technologies are leading to changes in the robotics market, which are primarily based on their expanded options for data generation (using sensors), processing (using software/AI), storage (e.g. via cloud/edge) and transmission (e.g. 5G).

The potential of digitalisation is predominately used by a variety of new players. It helps to simplify the implementation and use of robotics, to handle more complex tasks and a high product diversity and to enable a close and safe cooperation between robots and humans. These developments may also increase the demand of SMEs’ for robotic services.

Connectivity is a precondition for some of these new developments. For example, mobile autonomous robots are a new robot variant in the field of professional service robotics that is based on wireless connectivity. They also play a crucial role in the (vision of a) smart factory, which will rely on completely connected machines, systems and processes.

The changes in industrial robotics enabled by innovative digital technologies are taking place gradually and, unlike in many other markets, have not yet led to disruptive developments that threaten existing business models. Instead, the changes driven by digitalisation gradually create additional revenue potential in the market for industrial robotics for the benefit of a wide range of players in the robotics ecosystem.