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The IFR considers service robots to include automated guided vehicles (AGVs) capable of moving up to 20 tonnes in a warehouse. Source: Stäubli
According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), global sales of professional service robots have increased by 30%. The Frankfurt, Germany-based organization said its statistics department had registered more than 205,000 units in 2023.
Nearly 80% of these robots were produced in the Asia Pacific region, with 162,284 units sold. According to IFR, 33,918 units were sold in Europe and 8,927 units were sold in the United States. World Robotics 2024 Service Robots report.
“The service robotics industry is on the move,” said IFR President Marina Bill. “More and more robots are serving on factory floors, in shopping centers or helping with deliveries on the streets.”
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Main application areas are logistics and hospitality.
IFR said more than one in two professional service robots sold in 2023 will be built for transportation and logistics applications. Sales increased 35% to nearly 113,000 units sold in 2023.
“There is a high demand for technical support as the industry is experiencing a severe manpower shortage,” the association said. “For example, one of the most time-consuming tasks for truck drivers is loading and unloading, for which robotic applications provide dedicated solutions for automation. “Making applications easy to use and understand for non-technical employees is key to adoption.”
Skilled labor shortages are also increasing demand for automated deliveries in outdoor environments without public transportation, the group said. Types of robots in this class range from automated conventional vehicles such as forklifts or tractors to custom systems with weatherproof enclosures for the goods being transported. IFR also cited robots for loading and unloading trucks.
Hotel robots are also becoming increasingly popular, IFR said. More than 54,000 units (31% increase) were sold in 2023. Robots for mobile guidance, information and telepresence accounted for the majority of these robots.
As the sector develops rapidly, several key applications have emerged, such as food and beverage preparation, as well as guidance and information points in public environments.
Sales of agricultural robots showed strong growth of 21% in 2023, with approximately 20,000 units sold. IFR said workforce shortages due to demographic changes and demand for more sustainable precision agriculture have driven demand for field robots.
The professional cleaning robot market grew by 4%, with approximately 12,000 units sold. The main application area is floor cleaning, which accounts for approximately 70% of the products sold in this application group.
According to ISO standards World Robotics 2024 The yearbook considered medical robots to be the third category, along with service robots and industrial robots. Medical robot sales increased 36% to approximately 6,100 units in 2023.
Sales of rehabilitation and non-invasive therapy robots increased by 128%. Demand for surgical robots increased by 14%, and sales of diagnostic robots increased by 25%.
As with industrial automation, IFR said more work is needed on safety standards and that generative AI will improve robot performance and applicability. It portrayed humanoids as potential destroyers.
Click here to enlarge. Source: IFR
IFR identifies the major countries supplying medical, service robots.
The United States has the largest number of service and medical robot manufacturers in the world, with 199 companies headquartered there, according to IFR. Of these manufacturers, 66% produce professional service robots, 27% consumer service robots, and 12% medical robots.
China ranked second with a total of 107 service and medical robot manufacturers. The proportion of companies providing professional service robots is 80%, much higher than in the United States. A total of 34% offer consumer robots and only 5% offer medical robots.
Germany ranked third with 83 companies. Similar to China, the proportion of professional service robot manufacturers is very high at 79%. A total of 17% offer consumer applications and 12% offer medical robotics.
From a regional perspective, most service and medical robot manufacturers are based in Europe, with a global market share of 44%, Asia at 29%, and the Americas at 25%.
The IFR noted: World Robotics Service Robot The report is based on sample data expected for the entire industry. Sample composition varies from year to year. The Federation does not recommend collecting or comparing different data. World Robotics report.
IFR added the following statistics: World Robot Service Robot in 2024 The report is based on a sample of 298 service robot producers. You can order the full report online along with the latest reports on Industrial Automation.
Click here to enlarge. Source: IFR
