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manufacturing and expand the field of robot application,” Tsuda adds.
Among the different sectors, the automo- tive 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.
Estimated annual shipments of multipurpose industrial robots to CEE countries (number of units)
Estimated annual shipments of multipurpose industrial robots, CAGR 2019-2021
Estimated annual supply of industrial robots at year-end worldwide by industries 2015-2017
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