Collaborative robots pioneer automation revolution
March 2025
Motion Control & Drives
Collaborative robots (cobots) are a versatile, cost-effective robot form factor that is demonstrating value across many industry verticals. According to a new report from global technology intelligence firm ABI Research, revenue from cobots will increase from $970 million in 2023 to $7,2 billion by 2030, a CAGR of 28%. Safety, lower average selling prices and accessibility will drive collaborative robot sales.
“Cobots are at the forefront of the robotics revolution. They have the potential to democratise automation and bring robots into new markets, working side-by-side with human workers to unlock economic growth,” says George Chowdhury, robotics industry analyst at ABI Research. “Cobots have a synergy with artificial intelligence. Enterprises have leveraged the two technologies combined to automate tasks which have until now been exclusively reserved for human workers. Moreover, the more affordable cost and safety of cobots create an opportunity for SMEs to adopt robotics, unlocking major productivity advantages for broad sectors of the economy.”
Cobots will play a large part in global reshoring initiatives. Geographically, cobot shipments will grow to 64 000 per year in North America by 2030, a CAGR of 29%. China will become the main adopter in the APAC region, growing to 130 000 annual shipments at the end of the decade, with suppliers enjoying a CAGR of 41%. Within industrial manufacturing, the automotive segment will drive the cobot uptake, with shipments growing from 13 000 in 2023 to 115 000 by 2030. Growth in use cases, including palletisation and inspection, will have a knock-on effect on attachment sales, including cameras. 3D cameras and stereo cameras with the ability to judge object depth, will be attached to 59% of cobot deployments by 2030.
While traditional robotics OEMs such as Fanuc, Kuka, ABB, Omron and Kawasaki have developed cobot product lines, Universal Robots continues to control the highest market share via its innovative partners. Nvidia will also play a critical part in the further adoption of cobots. Nvidia’s GPUs, coupled with software products such as Isaac Manipulator, will deliver AI-augmented solutions to the robotics market, enabling new cobot use cases.
“Collaborative robots are the flagship form factor for democratisation and automation expansion into new markets, notably via SMEs. Cobots can revolutionise industries from medicine to agriculture by augmenting human workers with AI value adds,” concludes Chowdhury.
For more information contact ABI Research, +44 203 326 0140, [email protected], www.abiresearch.com
Further reading:
Problem solving under pressure
Axiom Hydraulics
Motion Control & Drives
The greatest strength of Axiom Hydraulics lies in the company’s ability to solve complex problems and adapt systems to meet unique challenges. This capability stems from two key factors: the diverse experience of its team members, which spans decades across multiple disciplines, and their unwavering dedication to their clients.
Read more...
New AI advisor for robot selection
igus
Motion Control & Drives
igus’ new AI chatbot has been added to the online platform RBTX.com. The interactive consultant is designed to enable companies with little previous experience and technological expertise to quickly and reliably put together low-cost automation solutions to becoming more competitive.
Read more...
The world’s most powerful worm
Motion Control & Drives
Geothermal energy from the natural heat of the Earth is an inexhaustible resource, yet the growth of the global geothermal power sector lags behind other renewable energies. Now Swiss startup, Borobotics is hoping to speed this up with its innovative new electric-powered geothermal drilling robot, which can be used to fast-track and lower the cost of heat pump installations in confined spaces.
Read more...
Building resilience in extreme environments
ACTOM Electrical Machines
Motion Control & Drives
The petrochemical and oil and gas sectors operate in unforgiving environments. In this high-stakes industry, operational efficiency is vital, and unplanned downtime can have severe consequences. To thrive in this demanding landscape, a proactive and sophisticated approach to maintenance is no longer an option, but a necessity.
Read more...
SKF shines at Mining Indaba
SKF South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
This year marked SKF’s second consecutive participation at Mining Indaba, where the global bearing and seal manufacturing giant spotlighted its premium quality, future-smart, environmentally sustainable mining and industrial products, technologies and services.
Read more...
Reducing the risk of sewage spills
Motion Control & Drives
The UK government has announced plans to impose tougher penalties on water companies in England and Wales that fail to prevent sewage discharges into rivers and seas. David Strain, technical director at the automation systems specialist, Technidrive explains how solutions like variable speed drives and smart monitoring systems can help water companies reduce the risk of sewage spills and ensure compliance.
Read more...
High-performance electric wire rope hoists
Motion Control & Drives
Becker Mining South Africa’s Kito RX electric wire rope hoists, launched in Africa two years ago, play a critical role in many industries.
Read more...
Complete solutions for the die casting industry
Motion Control & Drives
Die casting is a manufacturing process that involves injecting molten metal into a mould to produce complex, high-precision components. FUCHS Lubricants South Africa addresses the evolving demands of the die casting sector through continuous product innovation and development.
Read more...
Planetary gear units for high torque requirements
Motion Control & Drives
Packing a compact design, along with high torque and low-speed outputs, the new SEW PPK and SEW P2.e planetary gear units from SEW-EURODRIVE offer new capabilities in continuous heavy-duty applications where space is at a premium.
Read more...
Precision linear motion technology for all types of automation
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
Motion Control & Drives
BMG has been appointed a distributor in southern Africa for the Rollon linear motion guidance system. This high-precision product range extends from linear components, actuators and systems to ball screws and rotational units.
Read more...
printer friendly version