Automatica 2022 Learnings: The place Robotics is Put up-Covid 

Now that “the mud has settled” on the Automatica 2022 commerce honest, it is time to take a look again at what we realized on the occasion.

We had a whole lot of enjoyable at Automatica a number of weeks in the past. It was nice to meet up with so lots of our companions, prospects, and trade pals. At this 12 months’s occasion, we obtained a glimpse of the place the robotics trade is now, post-Covid.

The pandemic is not totally over but, however we might see that the trade has began accelerating once more. A number of model new traits are taking maintain, and plenty of extra already-established traits are persevering with to develop.

As increasingly companies are in search of much more methods to automate their processes, let’s examine what traits we observed at Automatica 2022…

That is all for an additional 12 months of Automatica!

After we arrived on the Messe Munchen exhibition heart, it had been 4 years for the reason that earlier Automatica commerce honest.

It is a very long time on the planet of robotics. Whereas robotic applied sciences do not advance as quickly as you may assume, 4 years is a very long time to not have a view of the trade.

This 12 months, we coated the occasion stay on our weblog each day. You could find all our stay protection right here.

There are at all times many fascinating and thrilling developments at Automatica. This 12 months, we had been eager to learn how the trade has modified through the international Covid pandemic.

Our normal impressions from the commerce honest

Our normal impressions had been that there was an excessive amount of pleasure on the occasion. Everybody was pleased to see one another once more after so lengthy.

It was additionally clear that nearly everybody has been struggling over the previous 3 years, in numerous methods. There was a whole lot of new curiosity in robotics from corporations which have by no means automated earlier than. And there was an elevated curiosity from those that have expertise with automation. Individuals had been in search of extra methods to get probably the most from their processes.

Earlier than the occasion, we made some predictions about what traits we’d see on the occasion.

Our predictions had been:

1. Provide chain fragility will lead the dialogue — We predicted that the latest shake-ups of the worldwide provide chain can be high of thoughts for many individuals. This did appear to be true. In addition to the worldwide pandemic, which nonetheless continues in lots of international locations, many individuals had been speaking in regards to the affect of the present battle in Ukraine.

2. The e-commerce revolution will spark innovation — We predicted that the elevated demand for e-commerce corporations can be a driving pressure for innovation in robotics. This was maybe true. It is arduous to say for positive. There have been definitely a whole lot of logistics and packaging functions round, which might present this development.

3. Labor shortages might be high of thoughts — Labor shortages are affecting many international locations proper now, particularly in manufacturing. This prediction definitely was right — persons are fascinated with their labor shortages quite a bit.

4. Development and meals might be new utility areas — We predicted we might see extra building and meals trade robotic utility areas. This wasn’t very apparent at Automatica 2022. Whereas there have been some food-focused functions, there weren’t lots of them.

5. Software kits and robotics companies will lead — We additionally predicted that attendees can be extra all in favour of full robotic functions, not simply parts. This was definitely true and additional highlights the significance of options like our vary of Robotiq utility kits

What different traits did we discover?

What’s hottest this 12 months? Palletizing and logistics

One development that was exceptionally clear was that palletizing, packaging, and different logistics functions are very in demand proper now.

We noticed many alternative logistics-focused options at Automatica 2022. In our Robotiq sales space, attendees confirmed a whole lot of curiosity in our palletizing resolution.

Logistics has been a core focus in most industries lately, particularly following the availability chain disruptions following a number of international occasions. These disruptions have highlighted the significance of automation in logistics functions. Many corporations are seeing logistics as their key first space for automating with robots.

Cobots at the moment are shifting to “non-classic” duties

We additionally noticed cobots firmly shifting into areas that aren’t “basic” cobot duties.

For instance, welding is historically a activity that has been finished by industrial robots. Welding itself is a harmful activity, so it isn’t inherently protected, which is a core attraction of cobots.

This 12 months, we noticed a number of corporations providing cobots for welding functions. These capitalize on the straightforward programming of cobots, permitting welding operators to intuitively create packages for his or her welding robots.

Cellular robots are simply a part of the furnishings

At this 12 months’s Automatica, there have been maybe extra cellular robots on the present ground than ever earlier than. And these robots weren’t confined to their cubicles — lots of them had been milling round with the attendees, offering a cellular approach for exhibitors to increase their attain.

We noticed drink-serving cellular robots, in addition to one robotic that got here to seek out you after which spoke to you.

It is clear that cellular robotic is now so sturdy, exhibitors can confidently let the robots roam free!

What we count on to see within the close to way forward for robotics

Now that Automatica 2022 is over for an additional 12 months, what traits are we anticipating to see within the close to future?

Automatica is about to happen once more subsequent 12 months. Specifically, we predict to see some bolder strikes on the subsequent occasion. Some cubicles felt a bit conservative this 12 months, maybe as a result of corporations booked them amid the worldwide pandemic.

On the subsequent Automatica, we count on to see a constant improvement of robotic know-how. And we additionally count on to how the latest entrants to the market proceed to develop their choices.

What traits are you most all in favour of following post-Automatica? Inform us within the feedback under or be part of the dialogue on LinkedIn, Twitter, Fb, or the DoF skilled robotics neighborhood.