These robotics companies demonstrate that the advances in smart machines in 2021 come in many flavors from manufacturing to surgery.

Rob Spiegel

July 15, 2021

16 Slides

Annual installations of industrial robots more than tripled within 10 years (2010-2019) reaching 381 thousand units in factories around the world.

According to the International Federation of Robots, the top trends in industrial robots during 2021 include:

Robots That Learn New Tricks

Artificial intelligence software in combination with vision and other sensing systems, allow robots to master difficult tasks. One such task is bin picking, which in the past was only feasible for a human hand.

Robots That Work in Smart Factories

The automotive industry pioneered smart factory solutions utilizing 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 guided vehicles — or rather autonomous mobile robots.

Robots That 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.

Robots That Reduce Carbon Footprint

Investments in modern robot technology 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. 

Related:Want a Trip to the Uncanny Valley? Check Out These Service Robots

Robots That Secure Supply Chains

The pandemic situation has made the weakness of globalized supply chains visible. Robotic automation offers productivity, flexibility, and security.

Take a look at our list of robotic companies you should know.

Rob Spiegel has covered manufacturing for 19 years, 17 of them for Design News. Other topics he has covered include automation, supply chain technology, alternative energy, and cybersecurity. For 10 years, he was the owner and publisher of the food magazine Chile Pepper.

About the Author(s)

Rob Spiegel

Rob Spiegel serves as a senior editor for Design News. He started with Design News in 2002 as a freelancer and hired on full-time in 2011. He covers automation, manufacturing, 3D printing, robotics, AI, and more.

Prior to Design News, he worked as a senior editor for Electronic News and Ecommerce Business. He has contributed to a wide range of industrial technology publications, including Automation World, Supply Chain Management Review, and Logistics Management. He is the author of six books.

Before covering technology, Rob spent 10 years as publisher and owner of Chile Pepper Magazine, a national consumer food publication.

As well as writing for Design News, Rob also participates in IME shows, webinars, and ebooks.

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