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The proliferation of robotics has well begun. These automated machines are employing aside human workers and performing complex tasks at a shared workplace. Reports indicate that robotics implementation across countries is high. As per the data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the pace of industrial automation is expediting across the developed world with 74 installed industrial robots for every 10,000 employees globally in 2016. The number by 2020 reached 113 across the manufacturing sector.
Western Europe has a robot density of 225 units per 10,000 employees in manufacturing, followed by the Nordic European countries (204 units). That number in North America and Southeast Asia is 153 units and 119 units, respectively.
Let's have a look at the top countries leading robotics implementation in 2021.
Singapore is best known as a global financial hub. The country is now endeavoring to build its reputation as a robotics innovator. It has an abundance of facilities in the robotics industry research field. According to the latest World Robotics statistics, released by IFR, Singapore has the highest robot density of 918 units per 10,000 employees in 2019. The electronics industry, particularly semiconductors and computer peripherals, is the primary customer of industrial robots in the country with shares of 75% of the total operational stock. In 2016, Singapore ranks second after South Korea in terms of industrial robot density.
In 2016, Singapore pledged to invest over S$450 million across three years to support the National Robotics Programme (NRP) to promote the adoption and development of robotics solutions in healthcare, construction, manufacturing and logistics. The spending is part of an even larger initiative – Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2020 (RIE 2020). For this, S$19 billion has been set aside over five years to support and realise research in science and technology. In 2019, an extra S$540 million was allotted to RIE 2020.
In 2017, South Korea had 710 installed industrial robots for every 10,000 workers. That number increased to 868 units per 10,000 employees in 2019. The electronics and electric sectors are the major adopters of high-volume robots. In 2020, it was reported that the South Korean government had planned to ease regulations on the development of robotics technology and ramp up next year's budget in the sector by 32% to groom the country's robotics market as one of the global top 4 in three years.
Moving ahead to 2021, the IFR report anticipates that 630,000 industrial robot units will deliver in 2021 as frameworks develop with rising advancements, for example, vision acknowledgment, skill learning, failure prediction, human-machine collaboration, and simpler programming.
Japan has been the world's top exporter of robots in terms of the value of shipments and the number of operating units. The country shipped approximately 3.4 billion yen's worth of robots in 2012, comprising around 50% of the global market share. Japan has 364 robots per 10,000 employees, equal to Germany (346 units). The country is the world's predominant robot manufacturer, where even robots assemble robots: 47% of the global robot production is made in Nippon. According to the report, the electrical and electronics industry has a 34% share, the automotive industry 32%, and the metal and machinery industry 13% of the operational stock.
In APAC, Japan is one of the key leading countries for service robots. The country is continuously increasing its focus on robotics and how it can improve both quality of life and the state of the environment. Japan's Society 5.0 plan aims to deploy advanced technologies such as AI, robotics, big data analytics, and IoT to create an optimized, sustainable world.
Sweden is another leading European country when it comes to robotics implementation. The country has a robot density of 274 units, with a share of 35% each in the metal and automotive industry. In a 2017 survey by the European Commission, 80% of Swedes welcome robots and AI, and Swedish trade unions openly embrace automation. Sweden is home to some of the top robotics companies, including ABB Robotics, IBC Robotics, Robotdalen, Giraff, Robot System SR, and SRC.
Denmark has a range of test destinations when it comes to automation in the industry. The country, with less than 6 million people, has a robot density of 243 units per 10,000 employees. The city of Odense in Denmark has poised to make itself a centre for the development and commercialisation of robotics technology. Around 129 companies along with suppliers and research facilities have created the Odense Robotics cluster that interacts with each other to reinforce their capabilities.
In the United States, the pace of automation is steady with a robotics density of 228 units. In 2019, the U.S. car market was the second-largest car market in the world, following China, with the second-largest production volume of cars and light vehicles. On the other hand, the development of robot density in China continues dynamically, with 187 robots installed for every 10,000 employees.
