Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and modern automation are poised to change the world – not just because they’re transformative by themselves, but also because of the various platforms and improvements they bring with them.
Technology is Changing the World
Big data, cloud computing, and data analytics, for example, will be handled differently thanks to modern AI tools. Full automation will be possible, with more efficient and accurate insights pulled from data collections than ever before.
AI and automation will also spruce up the robotics industry. Whereas in the past, robotics were simpler and used for incredibly repetitive tasks, they will now be capable of much more.
Imagine smart robots that can travel throughout entire warehouses, finding and selecting items for fulfillment without any human oversight.
That’s exactly the future we’re headed towards (if we’re not already there). Many companies like Amazon, Best Buy, Adidas and Lowes already experiment with deploying modern robotics to help with these tasks.
The most promising mesh of these technologies comes from collaborative robots, or cobots, which are meant to work alongside humans to help them complete various tasks.
To give you some perspective on how much these new technologies will change our lives – and many industries – here are 10 key statistics about the current robotics market:
Stats You Need to Know About the Current Robotics Market
Only 15% of businesses use AI today, but 31% plan to add support for it over the next 12 months (according to Adobe’s 2018 Digital Intelligence Briefing).
This means AI is on the rise, and adoption is growing rapidly. AI factors right into modern robotics and cobots because it’s what drives them.
According to Loup Ventures research, the industrial robotics market is expected to grow by 175% over the next decade.
The primary focus of that growth will be on collaborative, assisting platforms rather than traditional automated machinery.
In fact, the same Loup report states that 34% of the industrial robots sold by 2025 will be collaborative – designed to work safely alongside humans in factories and plants.
Related: How to Get Your Team on Board With Robotics
This is despite the fact that collaborative robots only represented 3% of all industrial robots sold in 2016. You can see how growth over the next few years will be tremendous, as companies realize the true potential of modern robotics.
In North America, there were 32% more robots purchased in the first quarter of 2017 than at the same time the year before, according to the Robotic Industries Association.
By now, we know growth is happening, but this statistic highlights that it’s happening quickly. This rapid pace has also sparked fears that robots and automation systems will take over our jobs. While it’s true that robots may hold nearly 40% of all American jobs by the early 2030s, there are things we can do to prepare for this possibility.
In Europe between 1999 and 2010, the number of employees grew in tandem with automation, says Zew.
Growth in the robotics and collaborative robotics market also contributes to growth in the demand for labor. You need people to work alongside these systems, and you also need workers dedicated to maintenance, development, and operations.