Over many decades the “Guinness Book of Records” has been dominated by outstanding human performances. Huge progress in computer power and perfected algorithms, however, are resulting in ever more robots being added to the list of high achievers. “Mentis”, an unprecedented three-metre high robot that has six legs, is among those to have been included in the latest edition, for instance. Another humanoid solves a Rubik’s Cube in a world-beating 0.38 seconds, while Toyota’s “CUE 3” recently took the record for the most free shots in basketball. The 2.10-metre tall man-made machine threw 2,020 baskets in a row.
None of this would be possible without new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). The areas of application extend far beyond the realm of entertainment, though: AI systems are used across many industries. From deep learning through virtual assistants to intelligent robots, this technology is in the process of revolutionising life as we know it. Data play a key role in this process. These are analysed and, thanks to self-learning algorithms, can be used to optimise production processes, for instance. The market potential is enormous: while global AI sales “only” came to USD 126 billion in 2015, the volume is already expected to pass the 3 trillion mark as early as 2024 (see graph 1). View more information on investment solutions on the topic “Robots and AI – two digital megatrends”.
The growth expected of robots is not quite so strong, but just as explosive. Experts predict that the market will almost double between 2017 and 2021, reaching a global sales volume of USD 41.2 billion (see graph 2). As a result, the intelligent machines will make an ever greater contribution to GDP growth. While automation in OECD countries accounted for only just under a tenth of economic expansion from 1993 to 2015, according to consultants Accenture AI and robots have the potential to double economic growth in industrialised nations by 2035. In terms of geography, the pace is being set by the Asia-Pacific region, where robots have a 53.8 per cent share. According to estimates, the region will be able to maintain its edge over Europe and the USA in the coming years as well.
The typical machine is one of two dominant types: industrial robots and service robots. The former account for the lion’s share of global sales, delivering just under two thirds. A closer look at the areas of application reveals that industrial robotics is currently being driven by two sectors: electronics and the automotive industry, the duo covering almost 70 per cent of the market. The sales curve shows a steep rise across all industries, however. The International Federation of Robotics reports that worldwide sales of industrial robots reached a new best mark of 381,000 units in 2017, an increase of 30 per cent on the previous year. At the same time, the value of those sales climbed 21 per cent to a new high of USD 16.2 billion. “Industrial robots play a key role in the progress of the manufacturing industry,” states IFR president Junji Tsuda. According to an IFR forecast, this dynamic growth is set to continue and the annual number of industrial robots will climb to around 630,000 units in 2021.
