Next-Generation Industrial Robotics

The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a disruption across all industries; market data suggests that the demand for industrial robotics has steadily increased despite the pandemic, and possibly due to the impact of the pandemic. Particularly in industries that were not historically robotic markets, such as hospitals and distribution industries. In addition to that, non-traditional markets such as electronics and pharmaceuticals have become the dominant markets for industrial robots, taking over that position that has always been held by the automotive industry. The main challenge that faces increased artificial-intelligence (AI)-based technologies in next-generation collaborative robotics is the need for established preventive and corrective maintenance protocols on the AI-based technologies, as well as the need for established technician training programs on the new technologies and the wide availability of trained technicians. Another challenge that faces deploying mobile collaborative robotics in industry is the lack of safety standards for that technology.