AI in robotics: trillion-dollar market picks up speed

"AI is rapidly changing robotics," says Takayuki Ito, President of the International Federation of Robotics. "With the integration of AI into robotics, capabilities can be improved, efficiencies increased and adaptability enhanced. This development is transforming AI from an enabling technology into a powerful enabler, opening doors for the wider use of robotics across all industries."

Manufacturing and industrial automation are all about process optimization and quality assurance. As companies strive to streamline their processes and improve production quality, AI and robotics are playing an increasingly central role in modern manufacturing strategies. From automotive production to electronics manufacturing and pharmaceutical production, companies are using AI-supported robotics, especially for demanding production steps, complex assembly work and automated production lines.

Their use is also growing in the service sector, driven by staff shortages and rising labor costs. The focus here is primarily on interaction with humans - for example in the catering industry, where hybrid concepts are being tested in which robots take over routine tasks.

New vision for AI in robotics

Robot and chip manufacturers are currently investing more in special hardware and software that simulate real environments. This so-called "physical AI" enables robots to train themselves in virtual environments and act based on their experiences instead of being programmed for individual tasks. The enthusiasm for this "embodied AI" has attracted the interest of major technology companies and governments around the world.

In the US, companies such as Amazon, Tesla and Nvidia announced record investments. The venture capital is flowing into a growing ecosystem of start-ups that focus on specialized robotic applications. In Europe, ABB recently signed an agreement to sell its robotics division to the Japanese SoftBank Group. The merger is intended to combine ABB Robotics' AI expertise with that of SoftBank. In China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced a special action plan to accelerate "Embodied AI" and has categorized it as a "future industry" that is expected to be crucial to China's economic transformation.

Outlook

Over the next five to ten years, experts expect AI to become much more widespread in robotics. The technology is expected to pay for itself more quickly than conventional systems thanks to greater efficiency, fewer errors and lower maintenance costs.

The full position paper of the International Federation of Robotics is available in English at https://ifr.org/papers/download. In addition to technical aspects and industry trends, it also covers topics such as changes in the workplace, macroeconomic developments, safety issues, sustainability and the regulatory framework.