"2017 was a very strong year for our industry," says Dr. Norbert Stein, Chairman of the Executive Board of VDMA Robotics + Automation. "We already raised our forecast significantly over the course of the year. The fact that our expectations have now been exceeded once again is testament to the extraordinary market momentum in automation. Between 2010 and 2017, the industry grew by an average of ten percent annually and almost doubled its turnover during this period."

China as the most important market

The main growth driver in 2017 was exports - particularly to Asia. Export sales to China grew by around 60% compared to 2016, significantly expanding China's position as the most important market for robotics and automation. Major investments in automation by the electronics industry ensured strong demand here. Exports to all other Asian countries also grew at an above-average rate of around 20%. The dynamic growth in North America also continued. Exports to other European countries increased only moderately - but still accounted for the largest share within the regions. The export ratio rose from 57% (2016) to 60% (2017).

Standard for Industry 4.0 communication

Together with its member companies, VDMA Robotics + Automation is laying the foundations for interoperable communication in the smart factory: the Machine Vision, Integrated Assembly Solutions and Robotics departments have developed the first manufacturer-independent information models based on the OPC UA communication standard. This means that the machines will speak the same language in future and can communicate directly with each other - and with the workers.

Using an OPC UA demonstrator, the association and industry partners will be showing two use cases at Automatica in Munich: Firstly, the capability-based control of an assembly cell with components and systems from more than 20 manufacturers. The second is cloud-based condition monitoring of robots from different manufacturers and designs.

Man and machine in the factory of the future

The intelligent combination of the complementary strengths of man and machine is also an important topic for the future of automation. Instead of a manual process being replicated one-to-one by machines, processes are being rethought from the ground up to achieve better results. In so-called "fusion skills", the technologies used reinforce the skills of people, while people maintain, check and further develop the technologies.

At the Automatica special show "Man in the Smart Factory", these new interfaces between man and machine can be experienced in the digitally networked factory: gesture control, maintenance using augmented reality, mobile learning systems, digital assembly assistance systems, human-robot collaboration, technology mediation using gamification, the particularly ergonomic exoskeleton "Chairless Chair" and the intelligent glove - trade visitors can try all of this out for themselves. as