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December 7, 2018 www.intellinews.com I Page 15
35% compared to global growth of 30% last year. The rise in shipments of industrial robots to the CEE region is expected to continue going strong at 28% in 2018, compared to just 10% globally, followed by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22% between 2019 and 2021 (CAGR
of 14% worldwide).
In absolute terms, the CEE market will remain small compared to those in China, the world's largest market with 290,000 robots — three times as many as all of Europe combined — projected to be shipped in 2021. Also among
the top 5 markets worldwide are Japan, South Korea, the US and Germany. In value terms, the value of the market has already reached $16.2bn worth of robots were shipped in 2017, up 21% y/y and is showing no signs of slowing down.
“Industrial robots are a crucial part of the progress of manufacturing industry,” says Junji Tsuda, president of the International Federation of Robotics, in a press release.
“Robots evolve with many cutting-edge technologies. They are vision recognition, skill learning, failure prediction utilising AI, a new concept of man-machine-collaboration plus easy programming and so on. They will help improve productivity of manufacturing and expand the field of robot application,” Tsuda adds.
Among the different sectors, the automotive industry is the largest user of robots globally, says the IFR, accounting for 33% of the total supply in 2017, up 22% y/y.
“The manufacturing of passenger cars has become increasingly complex over the past ten
years: a substantial proportion of the production processes nowadays require automation solutions using robots,” says the report.
“Manufacturers of hybrid and electric cars
are experiencing stronger demand for a wider variety of car models just like the traditional car manufacturers. Furthermore, the challenge of meeting 2030 climate targets will finally require a larger proportion of new cars to be low- and zero-emission vehicles.”
This is relevant for CEE, where countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and especially Slovakia, have established themselves as important auto manufacturing centres.
The wider Central and Southeast Europe region is also home to numerous automotive component suppliers, which are also expected to step up their investments in robots.
Other industries such as electrical/electronics and the metal industry are also major investors into robotics.
Major producers of robots include Swiss ABB Robots, Japan’s Yaskawa Electric Corporation and Fanuc, and Germany-based Kuka.
Yaskawa is in the process of opening a plant in the Slovenian town of Kocevje, which is due to be fully operational by the second half of next year. Production at the Slovenian plant will meet around 75% of demand from Europe, Middle East and Africa, the company said recently according to Slovenian news agency STA. For the rest of the robots coming from Japan, Slovenia will serve as the main distribution hub.