Robotics will continue to accelerate innovation, thus disrupting and changing the paradigm of business operations in many industries.
This is according to a recent report by IDC: FutureScape: Worldwide Robotics 2017 Predictions, which highlights the key drivers for robotics and how these are likely to shape the development of robotics in the planning horizon of 2017 through 2020.
IDC expects to see stronger growth of robotics adoption outside the traditional manufacturing factory floor, including logistics, health, utilities and resources industries.
An iGATE Research report notes the demand for industrial robotics is anticipated to grow exponentially during the period of 2016 to 2021, driven by advantages such as cost reduction, improved quality, increased production, and improved workplace health and safety.
IDC says by 2019, 30% of commercial service robotic applications will be in the form of a "robot-as-a-service" business model, reducing costs for robot deployment. In addition, 30% of leading organisations will implement a chief robotics officer role and define a robotics-specific function within the business. IDC also believes by 2020, companies will have a greater choice of vendors as new players enter the $80 billion ICT market to support robotics deployment.
"We encourage end-user companies to embrace and assess how robotics can sharpen their company's competitive edge by improving quality, increasing operational productivity and agility, and enhancing experiences of all stakeholders," says Jing Bing Zhang, research director, Worldwide Robotics and Asia Pacific Manufacturing Insights at IDC Asia/Pacific.
"Technological development in artificial intelligence, computer vision, navigation, microelectromechanical systems sensor, and semiconductor technologies continue to drive innovation in the capability, performance, autonomy, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness of industrial and service robots. We'll see massive adoption of robotics in the coming years, says Zhang.
IDC also notes by 2019, the government will begin implementing robotics-specific regulations to preserve jobs and to address concerns of security, safety, and privacy.
In terms of region, the five major markets, including China, South Korea, Japan, US, and Germany account for around 75% of the total robotics sales volume in 2015, says iGATE Research. It says Asia/Australia is the world's largest market for industrial robots, driven by growing demand for industrial robots from small- and medium-scale enterprises in China, Japan, South Korea, and India. Europe is the second-leading region for industrial robotics market and Americas is the third-largest market for industrial robots, adds iGATE Research.
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