Universal Robots' four major industry predictions for the new year: Artificial intelligence drives rapid development of machine automation

Shanghai, China, January 30, 2024

The emergence of generative AI in 2023 has attracted global attention. The rapidly advancing AI technology has not only effectively improved the efficiency and quality of work and life, but also helped multiple industries to form new quality productivity. Although many companies are still in the early stages of exploring generative AI, how to effectively use this technology is still a key concern for many companies.

AI digital transformation is an ongoing evolution, and companies are looking forward to more breakthrough technologies and new development trends. Universal Robots is also thinking about how to use artificial intelligence technology to make collaborative robots have an impact in the field of automation and bring about new changes in the new year. With this in mind, Universal Robots has put forward four major predictions for 2024:

Artificial intelligence will accelerate the development of robotics and automation technology

Artificial intelligence is changing the software development industry in a cheaper, faster and more efficient way. Software development is the key to automation. With the help of artificial intelligence, software developers can develop better solutions for a variety of tasks and challenges. If software development is likened to a farmer plowing the land with a shovel, then artificial intelligence is like giving the farmer two horses and a plow, saving more time and efficiency. However, in the process of artificial intelligence bringing changes to the manufacturing industry, professional automation knowledge is still a scarce resource.

Because artificial intelligence has changed the way people work, Universal Robots is constantly updating its artificial intelligence applications to allow collaborative robots to handle more complex tasks. For example, the robot applications developed by Universal Robots can understand the subtle differences in human language, allowing robots to continuously learn from existing experience to handle emergencies and accurately move parts to adapt to changing environments. Over time, these capabilities will bring unprecedented flexibility, safety, and stability to the manufacturing industry.

Advances in robotics software will increase collaboration and reuse across applications

Robot software is a digital connection between users and their mechanical partners, which goes beyond physical interaction and can connect robots and users who use robots, creating a new dimension of cooperation. Companies do not need to reinvent new software, but instead make full use of existing components, interfaces, algorithm software and other assets for collaborative reuse in multiple applications. Universal Robots has always adhered to the basic principle of the UR+ partner ecosystem to simplify the innovation process and shorten the time to market.

Enterprises will merge IT and OT to improve data operations

The innovation and efficiency brought by data are closely related to the future development of the manufacturing industry, and also make the integration of IT and OT important. Research shows that the manufacturing industry has always been a pioneer in the application of cloud software. We have also observed that many customers use cloud software to improve product quality and cost-effectiveness and obtain higher predictability. Universal Robots predicts that logistics and production systems based on cloud data will continue to grow in 2024.

It is generally believed that cloud technology can only be used for data collection and backup, but the real potential of the cloud lies not in storing data and connecting machines, but in connecting humans and machines through cloud-based software services, thereby helping manufacturers simplify complex processes and make smarter decisions. Remote access to manufacturing data enables companies to respond quickly to problems and continuously improve automation and digital processes. With the increasing demand for dynamic systems, cloud technology can provide higher security and more accurate services. Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) companies have highlighted this progress, promising to improve industrial efficiency and reduce downtime through visualization of overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and predictive maintenance.

I believe that more manufacturers will benefit from cloud software services in 2024, improving their operational speed, flexibility and efficiency. Enterprises can integrate discrete resources through cloud data services, enabling them to switch between small-variety, high-volume production and large-variety, small-volume production at a lower cost, thereby maintaining the supply chain resilience of the enterprise and continuing the sustainable development goals.

The logistics industry will become a key area for the development of robots

Interact Analysis counted the expected growth rates of robot shipments in various industries in the "Collaborative Robot Market Insights and Analysis" report released in 2023. It is worth noting that the shipment volume of collaborative robots in the logistics industry can reach a compound annual growth rate of 46% between 2023 and 2027, which shows that the non-industrial application market is rising rapidly.

Like the manufacturing industry, many logistics companies are facing severe labor shortages, while globalized e-commerce and complex multi-channel supply chains are increasing transportation pressures. It is believed that in 2024, more logistics, warehousing and distribution centers will turn to automation to provide fast and accurate logistics services.

Universal Robots has worked with a logistics company to provide a new automation solution for logistics distribution centers to address the surging demand for e-commerce. After the Universal Robots collaborative robots were put into use, they processed thousands of orders every day. Even during peak logistics periods such as Black Friday, the collaborative robots could handle up to 4,400 orders. Only a small number of people are needed to replenish stocks, which can increase the efficiency and order accuracy of the factory by 500%. The clever use of data by collaborative robots can optimize all activities from incoming packages to outgoing logistics, and realize the automation of the logistics industry chain.

Robotics is still developing rapidly, and we are looking forward to 2024.