Now that “the mud has settled” on the Automatica 2022 commerce honest, it is time to take a look again at what we realized on the occasion.
We had a number of enjoyable at Automatica a couple of weeks in the past. It was nice to meet up with so lots of our companions, prospects, and trade buddies. At this 12 months’s occasion, we obtained a glimpse of the place the robotics trade is now, post-Covid.
The pandemic is not absolutely over but, however we may see that the trade has began accelerating once more. A couple of model new traits are taking maintain, and plenty of extra already-established traits are persevering with to develop.
As an increasing number of companies are on the lookout for much more methods to automate their processes, let’s examine what traits we observed at Automatica 2022…
That is all for an additional 12 months of Automatica!
Once we arrived on the Messe Munchen exhibition middle, it had been 4 years for the reason that earlier Automatica commerce honest.
This can be a very long time on the planet of robotics. Whereas robotic applied sciences do not advance as quickly as you may suppose, 4 years is a very long time to not have a view of the trade.
This 12 months, we lined the occasion dwell on our weblog daily. You’ll find all our dwell protection right here.
There are all the time many attention-grabbing and thrilling developments at Automatica. This 12 months, we have been eager to learn how the trade has modified in the course of the international Covid pandemic.
Our basic impressions from the commerce honest
Our basic impressions have been that there was a substantial amount of pleasure on the occasion. Everybody was glad to see one another once more after so lengthy.
It was additionally clear that just about everybody has been struggling over the previous 3 years, in several methods. There was a number of new curiosity in robotics from corporations which have by no means automated earlier than. And there was an elevated curiosity from those that have expertise with automation. Folks have been on the lookout for extra methods to get probably the most from their processes.
Earlier than the occasion, we made some predictions about what traits we’d see on the occasion.
Our predictions have been:
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Provide chain fragility will lead the dialogue — We predicted that the current shake-ups of the worldwide provide chain can be high of thoughts for many individuals. This did appear to be true. In addition to the worldwide pandemic, which nonetheless continues in lots of international locations, many individuals have been speaking in regards to the affect of the present warfare in Ukraine.
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The e-commerce revolution will spark innovation — We predicted that the elevated demand for e-commerce corporations can be a driving drive for innovation in robotics. This was maybe true. It is exhausting to say for positive. There have been definitely a number of logistics and packaging functions round, which may present this pattern.
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Labor shortages shall be high of thoughts — Labor shortages are affecting many international locations proper now, particularly in manufacturing. This prediction definitely was appropriate — individuals are fascinated by their labor shortages rather a lot.
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Building and meals shall be new software areas — We predicted we might see extra building and meals trade robotic software areas. This wasn’t very apparent at Automatica 2022. Whereas there have been some food-focused functions, there weren’t lots of them.
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Utility kits and robotics companies will lead — We additionally predicted that attendees can be extra all for full robotic functions, not simply elements. This was definitely true and additional highlights the significance of options like our vary of Robotiq software kits
What different traits did we discover?
What’s hottest this 12 months? Palletizing and logistics
One pattern that was exceptionally clear was that palletizing, packaging, and different logistics functions are very in demand proper now.
We noticed many alternative logistics-focused options at Automatica 2022. In our Robotiq sales space, attendees confirmed a number of curiosity in our palletizing resolution.
Logistics has been a core focus in most industries not too long ago, particularly following the availability chain disruptions following a number of international occasions. These disruptions have highlighted the significance of automation in logistics functions. Many corporations are seeing logistics as their key first space for automating with robots.
Cobots are actually transferring to “non-classic” duties
We additionally noticed cobots firmly transferring into areas that aren’t “basic” cobot duties.
For instance, welding is historically a activity that has been achieved by industrial robots. Welding itself is a harmful activity, so it isn’t inherently protected, which is a core attraction of cobots.
This 12 months, we noticed a number of corporations providing cobots for welding functions. These capitalize on the straightforward programming of cobots, permitting welding operators to intuitively create applications for his or her welding robots.
Cellular robots are simply a part of the furnishings
At this 12 months’s Automatica, there have been maybe extra cellular robots on the present ground than ever earlier than. And these robots weren’t confined to their cubicles — lots of them have been milling round with the attendees, offering a cellular manner for exhibitors to increase their attain.
We noticed drink-serving cellular robots, in addition to one robotic that got here to search out you after which spoke to you.
It is clear that cellular robotic is now so sturdy, exhibitors can confidently let the robots roam free!
What we count on to see within the close to way forward for robotics
Now that Automatica 2022 is over for an additional 12 months, what traits are we anticipating to see within the close to future?
Automatica is about to happen once more subsequent 12 months. Specifically, we expect to see some bolder strikes on the subsequent occasion. Some cubicles felt a bit conservative this 12 months, maybe as a result of corporations booked them amid the worldwide pandemic.
On the subsequent Automatica, we count on to see a constant improvement of robotic know-how. And we additionally count on to how the latest entrants to the market proceed to develop their choices.
What traits are you most all for following post-Automatica? Inform us within the feedback beneath or be a part of the dialogue on LinkedIn, Twitter, Fb, or the DoF skilled robotics neighborhood.
