In recent years, with the rapid development of science and technology, the robot industry has received extensive attention in the world. With the strong support of national policies and the dual promotion of market demand, the robot industry has ushered in a golden period of development. The aging of the population, the epidemic and other factors and the strong demand superimposed on the global intelligent robot market continue to rise. The global robot industry is undergoing a comprehensive layout, and the current point in time is just the intersection of various technological breakthroughs, whether it is the iterative upgrading of precision control parts and components, or the continuous progress of GPT large models, all of which make the "dawn moment" of humanoid robot industrialization one step closer.
Chinese robots ride the wind and waves and usher in the moment of dawn
Robots are the new force of intelligent manufacturing and the crown of the manufacturing industry. With the continuous integration of informatization and industrialization, the intelligent industry represented by robot technology has flourished, becoming an important symbol of scientific and technological innovation in the current era. China is the first to bear the brunt of the development of the emerging robot industry into the development of an important layout plan.
According to the recently released "Humanoid Robot Industry Research Report" (hereinafter referred to as the report), the development of the global humanoid robot industry has entered a golden age, and the market size will continue to grow. It is estimated that the market size of Chinese humanoid robots will exceed 10 billion yuan in 2026, reaching 10.471 billion yuan (RMB, the same below), and is expected to grow into a 100 billion market in 2030, with a market size of 119.246 billion yuan.
At present, the development of new technologies such as fusion perception, digital twins, artificial intelligence, and structural bionic is accelerating, and robots are showing development characteristics such as human-machine integration, virtual and real integration, intelligent drive, and ubiquitous interaction. With the world's largest robot market and the most abundant application scenarios, Continental has the conditions and ability to seize the opportunity of this transformation and contribute more Chinese solutions and Chinese wisdom to global development.
China's robot industry has developed rapidly in recent years, and excellent enterprises have emerged in an endless stream. Agibot focuses on the integration and innovation of AI and robots, and is committed to building the world's leading embodied intelligent robot product and application ecosystem. At present, the company has established cooperative relations with leading enterprises in related industries in China to jointly promote the application and development of robot technology in the field of industrial manufacturing. On August 18, 2023, Zhiyuan Robotics released its first product, the Expedition A1 humanoid robot.
Pictured: Expedition A1 robot
Since its establishment in 2017, Dreame Technology has been committed to the R&D and production of home appliances such as sweeping robots, vacuum cleaners, and floor scrubbers. Dreame focuses on the research and development of high-speed digital motor technology, and successfully breaks through the technical barrier of 180,000 rpm, becoming the first company in the world to achieve this achievement. Dreame has also conducted in-depth research in the field of robot algorithms, and has achieved many technical iterations in the field of sweeping robots. Based on the accumulation of motor and algorithm technology in the field of sweepers, Dreame has successfully entered the field of robots and successfully launched a number of quadruped robot products. In August 2023, at the World Robot Conference, Dreame made a stunning appearance and launched a universal humanoid robot.
Figure: Dreame Technology's general humanoid robot
Xiaomi CyberOne is a humanoid robot that focuses on human life services. At the autumn new product launch conference in August 2022, Xiaomi unveiled the new member of the Cyber family to the world, and it is also another innovation after the bionic quadruped robot Cyberdog launched in 2021.
Pictured: Xiaomi CyberOne
With the deep integration of artificial intelligence, a new generation of information technology and robots, the robot industry will usher in a new period of development. At present, there are still some key common technologies in the mainland robot industry that need to aggregate relevant R&D resources from industry and academia to jointly carry out key research and development, so as to form a joint force in the research and development of industrial common technologies and promote the high-end development of the robot industry.
The global robot industry integrates and innovates to seek breakthroughs
The development of China's robot industry is a microcosm of the development of the world's robot industry. At the 2023 World Robot Conference, scholars and guests from dozens of countries and regions such as China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, and Nepal gave a detailed introduction to the development of the robot industry in their respective countries and regions. Judging from the speech, the world's major industrial countries regard the robot industry as the key direction of their own science and technology and industrial development.
No matter what different strategies countries around the world use to lay out the robot industry and accelerate the integration and innovation of the robot industry, there is a common starting point - to liberate the productive forces for mankind. At present, most countries in the world have their own robot industry, and the robot industry of each country serves the current stage of the development of civilization in their own countries.
As a leader in the robotics industry, the United States has many leaders in the industry. Boston Dynamics is an American engineering and robotics design firm headquartered in Massachusetts, USA. The company is known for developing a range of dynamic high-mobility robots, including Stretch, Spot, Atlas and Handle. Boston Dynamics' next-generation Atlas shifts to electric drive, no longer limited by the bulky and noisy hydraulic system, but instead has the flexibility and quietness of electric drive.
Pictured: The electric version of the Atlas
Zebra Technologies, one of the world's largest robotics companies, offers retail robots called SmartSight. This automated system optimizes the retail experience for customers and improves overall store performance by addressing the most common problems in retail stores, such as incorrect pricing and high labor costs. The company develops robot-enhanced mobile computing devices that help improve employee productivity and are used in a variety of sectors, including retail, warehousing, healthcare, and banking. The company's product range includes handheld mobile computers, barcode scanners equipped with machine vision and AI, and interactive self-service terminals. Many of Zebra's customers are looking for robot-enabled solutions, and as a result, the company continues to grow, with sales and profits continuing to rise.
Japan is known as the "Kingdom of Industrial Robots", and the robot industry has a far-reaching impact on Japan's economic and social development, and plays an important role in promoting national economic growth and alleviating a series of social problems caused by aging. As an important subject of technological innovation and a driving force for technology application, enterprises are an important force active in the forefront of Japan's robot industry.
Kawasaki Robotics is a well-known robotics company in Japan and one of the "four families" of robots. Kawasaki Robotics' products range from small to large, as well as robots specialized in welding, assembly, handling, grinding, painting, cutting, and more. The strengths of the Kawasaki Kawasaki Robot are its high performance, high reliability, high durability, high compatibility, and its advanced robotics and services. Kawasaki Robotics mainly serves the automotive, machine tool, electronics, food, plastics, metal and other industries. In 2023, Kawasaki Heavy Industries' eighth-generation humanoid robot will also be launched, and the Kaleido series of robots began to be developed in 2015 and made their debut at the International Robot Exhibition in 2017.
Pictured: Kawasaki Heavy Industries' eighth-generation humanoid robot
OMRON Robotics is a well-known robotics company in Japan and one of the world's largest suppliers of automation equipment. OMRON Robot's products are mainly collaborative robots, and there are two series, namely TM and LD, which have a load capacity ranging from 4 kg to 250 kg, which can meet different work needs. OMRON robots are characterized by their high sensitivity, flexibility, intelligence, and their easy-to-program and easy-to-operate robot software and interfaces. OMRON robots are suitable for manufacturing, logistics, service, and other fields.
Omron's MD series is a state-of-the-art autonomous mobile robot (AMR) that is ideally suited to solve material movement and other medium-sized transport processes. With a top speed of 2.2 m/sec (MD-650), a maximum payload of 650 and 900kg, a run time of 10 hours, ultra-fast charging, an innovative dynamic safety system with automatic footprint switching, and Omron's industry-leading in-car navigation system, the MD Series AMRs can deliver the performance and efficiency needed to meet the most demanding applications.
Figure: Omron MD series AMRs
On the whole, with the unremitting efforts of countries around the world over the years, the current global robot industry has entered a period of intensive and active development opportunities for technological innovation, the innovation ability has been continuously enhanced, and the application of the "robot +" industry is also accelerating its expansion.
The coordinated development of global robots is moving towards the future
In addition to Japan and the United States, the robot industry in Europe has also made breakthroughs and growth. ABB Robotics in Switzerland is one of the world's largest suppliers of robots and one of the "four families" of robots. With a history of more than 40 years, ABB's products range from small collaborative robots to large, heavy-duty robots, and are widely used in a wide range of industries such as automotive, electronics, food, pharmaceutical, metal, and wood. ABB robots are known for their high performance, high reliability and high flexibility, and they are also constantly introducing innovative robot solutions, such as robot control systems, robot vision systems, robot digital platforms, etc.
The trend towards the use of artificial intelligence in robotics and automation continues to grow. In particular, the advent of generative AI has opened up new possibilities. This subset of AI is specifically designed to create new content from learned data, and tools like ChatGPT have made generative AI popular. Robot manufacturers have begun developing interfaces based on generative AI, which allows users to program systems more intuitively through natural language rather than code. Experts predict that workers will no longer need specialized programming skills to select and adjust the robot's movements.
图片来源:unsplash
Human-robot collaboration is still a major trend in the field of robotics. Rapid advances in sensors, vision technology, and smart grippers are enabling robots to respond to changes in their environment in real time to safely work with human workers. Human-robot cobot applications provide human workers with new tools to help them share their work and provide support. Human-robot cobots can assist with tasks that require heavy lifting, repetitive movements, or working in hazardous environments. The range of human-robot collaboration applications offered by robot manufacturers continues to expand. Recent market developments have seen an increase in human-robot collaborative welding applications due to the shortage of skilled welders.
Mobile robots can automate material handling tasks in industries such as automotive, logistics, or aerospace. They combine the mobility of a mobile robot with the flexibility of a human-robot robotic arm. This allows them to navigate and manipulate objects in complex environments, which is essential for manufacturing applications. Equipped with sensors and cameras, these robots can perform the task of inspecting and maintaining machinery and equipment. One advantage of mobile manipulators is their ability to collaborate with and support human workers. The shortage of skilled labor and the shortage of people applying for factory jobs are likely to increase the demand.
图片来源:unsplash
Robotics has made significant advances in humanoid robots, which are designed to perform a variety of tasks in a variety of environments. The human-like design of arms and legs allows these robots to be used flexibly in environments created for humans. As a result, it may be easier for companies to integrate humanoid robots into existing infrastructure and facilities, such as warehouses. The humanoid robot industry is in the industrial introduction period, and technological innovation and market demand are the dual driving forces to promote commercialization. Despite the technical challenges and market competition (only referring to the competition of OEMs facing Tesla), with the localization and cost reduction of core components, the expansion of application scenarios and policy support, China is expected to form the world's most complete humanoid robot industry chain. At present, Tesla should be the first humanoid robot main engine factory to realize industrialization, and its industrialization process is inseparable from the support of the domestic hardware supply chain.
Whether it is China, or any other country in the world, there is currently a positive trend of prosperity in the robot industry towards the future, and in the process of collaboration, we will jointly seek a thriving future of the robot industry.
Sources: Think Tank China, Industry 4.0, Robotics Lecture Hall, NAI500
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