44 n ROBOTS March 2024 www.drivesncontrols.com The IFR’s top five robot trends for 2024 The IFR has identi ed its top ve trends for 2024. 1Arti cial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning The adoption of AI (arti cial intelligence) in robotics and automation keeps growing. The emergence of generative AI opens-up new possibilities. This subset of AI, popularised by tools such as ChatGPT, can create something new from things that it has learned via training. Robot-makers are developing generative AI-driven interfaces that allow users to program robots more intuitively using natural language instead of code. They will no longer need specialised programming skills to specify a robot’s actions. Predictive AI is also being used to analyse robot performance data to identify the future state of equipment. Predictive maintenance can help to avoid machine downtime. In the automotive parts industry, for example, every hour of unplanned downtime costs an estimated $1.3m. This indicates the massive cost-saving potential of predictive maintenance. Machine-learning algorithms can also analyse data from multiple robots performing the same process to optimise their behaviour. In general, the more data a machine-learning algorithm is given, the better it performs. 2Cobots expanding to new applications Human-robot collaboration continues to be a major trend. Rapid advances in sensors, vision technologies and smart grippers are allowing robots to respond in real-time to changes in their environment and thus to work safely alongside humans. Cobots oer a new tool for relieving and supporting human workers, assisting with tasks that require heavy lifting, repetitive motions, or work in dangerous environments. A recent development is the growth of cobot welding, driven by a shortage of skilled welders. Automation is not causing the labour shortage, but rather oers a means to solve it. Cobots will complement – not replace – investments in traditional industrial robots which operate much faster and will therefore remain important for boosting productivity. Cobot arms combined with mobile robots (see below) oer new use cases that could expand the demand for cobots substantially. 3Mobile manipulators – also known as MoMas – are automating materialhandling in industries such as automotive, logistics and aerospace. They combine the mobility of robotic platforms with the dexterity of manipulator arms. This allows them to navigate complex environments and manipulate objects. Equipped with sensors and cameras, these robots perform inspections and carry out maintenance on machinery and equipment. A signi cant advantage is their ability to collaborate and support human workers. The shortage of skilled labour is likely to increase demand. 4 Digital twins are increasingly being used to optimise the performance of physical systems by creating virtual replicas. As robots are increasingly integrated into factories, digital twins can use real-world operational data to run simulations and predict outcomes. Because the twins exist purely as computer models, they can be stress-tested and modi ed with no safety implications, while cutting costs. Any experimentation can be done before implementing it in the physical world. Digital twins bridge the gap between digital and physical worlds. 5Humanoid robots, usually with two arms and two legs, can perform a wide range of tasks. The human-like design allows them to be used exibly in environments created for humans. They can therefore be integrated into warehouse processes, for example. The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) recently published detailed goals to mass-produce humanoid robots by 2025. It predicts that humanoids will become another disruptive technology, similar to computers or smartphones, that could transform the way that we produce goods and live. The potential impact of humanoids makes them an exciting area of development, but mass market adoption remains a complex challenge. Costs are a key factor and success will depend on their ROIs, competing with established technologies such as mobile manipulators, for example. These ve mutually reinforcing automation trends demonstrate that robotics is a multidisciplinary eld where technologies are converging to create intelligent solutions for a wide range of tasks. These advances continue to shape the merging industrial and service robotics sectors and the future of work. n There are now around about 3.9 million robots in use around the world. Marina Bill, president of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), says that demand is being driven by several exciting technological innovations. Collaborative robots oer a new tool for relieving and supporting human workers Image: Fanuc
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