Key Trends Driving Cobot Adoption
#1 Labor Shortages
#2 Individualized Consumer Demands
#3 Digitalization and AI
#4 Economic and Geopolitical Uncertainty
#5 Sustainability
#6 Global mega-trends
Labor shortages are a significant driver of increased cobot deployment. The aging population and declining interest in factory work among younger generations have led to a scarcity of workers in industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and construction.
For instance, the U.S. faces a gap of 400,000 welders, (Source) and in the EU, there were over 200,000 construction sector vacancies in 2020. Cobots provide an effective solution to fill these gaps, especially in repetitive or physically demanding jobs, benefiting both global corporations and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The rise of e-commerce has heightened consumer expectations for rapid delivery. This surge necessitates the automation of logistics and warehousing. Robots are increasingly performing tasks such as sorting, picking, and packing to meet the fast-paced demands. Cobots, with their flexibility and adaptability, are ideal for among others fulfillment centers, enhancing efficiency and speed in these operations where many human-operators need to work alongside their robot helpers, and where extra flexibility is needed in the tasks the robots should help with.
As our lives become more digital, manufacturing is also advancing, with businesses increasingly looking to automation systems for data-driven insights that can predict potential failures and optimize performance. Digital twins are a powerful tool in this shift, as they simulate and refine operations before physical implementation. Alongside digital twins, embedded AI in robots and cobots enables them to quickly adapt, learn new tasks, and be deployed efficiently.
ABB’s RobotStudio software further amplifies these benefits with advanced digital twin technology. By creating a virtual model of the robotic system, RobotStudio enables users to test, program, and adjust their operations in a simulated environment, allowing for precise adjustments ahead of real-world deployment. This level of customization and pre-testing supports a smoother transition to automated workflows. Discover RobotStudio
Furthermore, ABB’s Connected Services platform allows for continuous remote monitoring and diagnostics of robots, enabling predictive maintenance and timely troubleshooting from a distance. This connected approach helps detect issues early, minimizes downtime, and gives users insights for better asset management and operational efficiency. Discover Connected Services
Recent events such as the pandemic, trade conflicts, geopolitical conflicts, and supply chain disruptions have led manufacturers to relocate operations closer to customers in Europe and North America. 74% of European and 70% of US businesses are planning to re-shore or near-shore. (Source)
Operations This reshoring trend requires flexible automation solutions for manufacturers to remain competitive. Cobots with their ability for quick deployment, short ROI, lean footprint provide the necessary flexibility and efficiency to adapt to changing conditions.
Sustainability is a major trend reshaping industries, especially in the automotive sector with the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs). New production lines for EVs require cobots for tasks like component assembly and battery handling. Additionally, customers are demanding more environmentally friendly products, pushing companies to adopt energy-efficient and low-impact cobots.
