Collaborative robots are receiving major manufacturers' attention. FANUC and Yaskawa Electric are trying to catch up.

As the labor force in Japan and around the world ages, Cobot can work with human employees to maintain the operation of various types of assembly lines. Therefore, the Japanese robot manufacturers Fanuc and Yaskawa Electric, which did not pay much attention to collaborative robots, are trying to catch up.

According to reports, Kakoo Hariki, executive director of FANUC, said that the company did not expect large manufacturers to want to use such robots because of their limited weight-lifting capabilities and functions.

Collaborative robots are a relatively new concept. Collaborative robots currently account for only a small portion of the $40 billion industrial robot market. However, it is estimated that the collaborative robot market will grow to more than $10 billion in the next 10 years. Times.

The Danish company Universal Robots was founded in 2005 and launched an industrial application collaboration robot at the end of 2008, working closely with German automakers such as Volkswagen. Universal Robots CEO Juergen von Hollen said that at first many people misunderstood collaborative robots, but these robots quickly became popular in Europe because of their safety, simplicity and ability to directly assist human employees.

Collaborative robots are receiving major manufacturers' attention. FANUC and Yaskawa Electric are trying to catch up.

With the support of the German Industry 4.0 strategy, companies such as Kuka and Robert Bosch entered the market with Universal Robots in early 2010. Because of their relatively low cost and ease of operation, companies of all sizes currently use collaborative robots in small batch production and simple processes.

Nippon Flour Mills uses a collaborative robot made by Kawasaki Heavy Industries to flavor packaged foods sold in convenience stores. Atsushi Honda, Japan's milling technology manager, said that labor costs in Japan continue to rise, using robots that do not have to be separated from employees to automate tasks that can help the company solve labor problems.

Analysts said that in addition to underestimating the attractiveness of collaborative robots, Japanese robot manufacturers are also constrained by government safety regulations and are hindered in the domestic market. Japanese law stipulates that heavy industrial robots have to be in contact with the human body. The function of the robot working near people is limited.

In the second half of 2013, Japan relaxed restrictions on collaborative robots in line with international standards. Japanese robot manufacturers were initially cautious, but are now trying to grab the market.

Fanuc acquired Life RoboTIcs in February, and its customers include Toyota Motor and Omron. This is the first acquisition and transaction of FANUC in 15 years. And its competitor Yaskawa Electric released its first collaborative robot in 2017.

According to BIS Research, the two Japanese companies are far behind Universal Robots, which accounts for about 60% of the global market and is currently a subsidiary of Teradyne. Fana’s market share is 6-10%, while Yaskawa’s market share is smaller.

Masahiro Ogawa, head of Yaskawa Robotics, said that as users become accustomed to using collaborative robots, they will have more advanced and diverse needs, and Yaskawa will be able to meet these needs. Katstoshi Urab, senior manager of Mitsubishi Electric, said the company plans to launch a collaborative robot for customers such as electronics manufacturers and logistics companies in early 2019. Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) is another engineering giant that entered the market in 2015. The company teamed up with ABB in Switzerland in 2017. Tomonori Sanada, who is responsible for Kawasaki robot marketing and sales planning, said the two companies plan to standardize collaborative robot programming.

Universal Robots' revenue in 2017 grew 72% to $170 million and is expected to grow at least 50% in 2018. Therefore, von Hollen of Universal Robots is not worried that these heavyweights will join the competition, he believes that the market will gradually adapt to new competitors. Only 10% of the company's target market really understands collaborative robots, so 90% of the potential market has not yet been developed.

Data Acquisition ADCs DACs

Data Acquisition Adcs Dacs,Ics Data Acquisition Adcs/Dacs,Data Acquisition Adc / Dac Professional,Ic Chip Data Acquisition Adcs/Dacs

Shenzhen Kaixuanye Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.iconlinekxys.com