Global Articulated Robot Market Size & Growth Trends Analysis Report

Automation is gaining many applications in almost every industry in the quest for higher efficiency, productivity, and cost savings. The industrial sector uses articulated robots for the automation of complex tasks, mainly in the biotechnology industry, as well as for the automation of assembly lines and manufacturing. Precisely, it is their consistency in performing repetitive yet strict tasks that makes them so indispensable in this regard. With this increased adoption of articulated robots, the market grows. As labour becomes more expensive across most regions, using robotic automation for most operations becomes the competitive angle. The robots can handle large volumes of repetitive and labor-intensive tasks like no other. This automation tendency thereby succinctly permits companies to keep their operational costs low while remaining very productive.

Technological advancements in articulated robots provide more capability and flexibility. These can help perform a wider range of tasks with greater accuracy and reliability, in keeping with closer specifications. Modern sensors allow better recognition and manipulation of objects, and advanced control systems improve the accuracy and efficiency of the movements of these robots. The rise in this market has been driven by an increase in the adoption of articulated robots integrated with AI and IoT technology. Basically, AI allows functionalities like adaptive control—that means a facility wherein robots can alter their action pertaining to the surrounding and the task in hand. The IoT enables real-time monitoring and data acquisition, which can be utilised for predictive maintenance, making sure the robots operate in an optimised manner and are not in downtime. Not only do these integrations enhance articulated robot performance, but they also expand across industries.

By providing tax benefits and other incentives, governments make it easier for companies to buy and use articulated robots in their business activities. This promotes widespread use among many industries ranging from manufacturing to logistics. Subsidies can mitigate the hefty initial investment required for purchasing and supporting articulated robots. Grant funding is usually directed at firms that are undertaking advanced research, enabling them to explore new possibilities for these machines. Many research organisations also receive support from governments in order to find out more about new applications, enhance the efficiency of robots and invent future technologies. This sponsorship helps to maintain global competitiveness and accelerate technological progress.

Technological Advancements

Some of the opportunities in the global articulated robot market are advancements in the technology of robotics and the increased use of collaborative robots. The advanced technological developments in robotics make articulate robots increasingly accurate, efficient, and versatile. Improved AI, machine learning, and sensor technology make such robots quite capable of executing a difficult job at considerably greater accuracy and speed, with much more adaptability definitely with considerable added value in industries like automotive, electronics, and health, where precision and reliability are key. Their integration with IoT and Industry 4.0 platforms provides real-time data analysis, predictive maintenance, and optimized production processes, hence further increasing their applicability in smart manufacturing environments. Furthermore, enhanced safety features such as vision systems and force sensors make the articulated robot safer to work with humans. This has widened their application in industries that require human-robot interaction, hence ensuring that robots work near human workers without compromising safety.

Another major opportunity is the use of collaborative robots. The concept of cobots is to work collaboratively with a human worker, while at the same time enhancing his or her abilities with the execution of repetitive, dangerous, or physically demanding tasks. This collaboration therefore increases productivity and job satisfaction, as human labor can focus on more complex and creative tasks. Moreover, cobots are more user-friendly, more flexible, and cheaper than traditional industrial robots, hence accessible to SMEs. A lot of added value stems from the fact that they are easy to deploy and may be quickly reprogrammed for different tasks, particularly in industries with a high variability in production such as consumer goods and electronics. Besides, cobots find new fields of application in logistics, healthcare, and agricultural industries, which are very well adapted to these sectors due to characteristics such as adaptability and collaborative nature, and therefore beneficial in these fields, further accelerating the growth of the articulated robot market.

Improvements in technology within the global articulated robot market are highly driven by advanced sensor systems and AI-driven machine learning. The contemporary articulated robots are fitted with a myriad of advanced sensors, including vision systems, force/torque sensors, and proximity sensors. These help the robots get a feel of the environment with high accuracy, thereby enabling the performance of intricate tasks with precision and flexibility. These vision systems support the robots in recognizing objects and navigating spaces; force/torque sensors allow applying exactly the right pressure during delicate operations. Proximity sensors improve their ability to detect the presence of objects near them, thereby preventing potential collisions that could result from their action and ensuring safe operation. AI and machine learning algorithms further purify the capabilities of articulated robots into more workable ones. Adaptive learning means that performance improves over time by processing feedback in the form of data or experience. For example, it could find ways to optimize movement and efficiency in the performance of repetitive tasks based on past actions and their results. This continuous learning process makes it possible for robots to be versatile and effective with new issues and different environments.

Market Restraints

The two major restraints in the global articulated robot market are high initial cost safety concerns and a lack of skilled workforce. Acquiring articulated robots can cost money at the initial stage, but the company must also consider installation and integration costs. This factor could keep small businesses at bay since they may not be able to afford this robotic automation. Nevertheless, consumers still worry about human safety with collaborative robots despite all the developments in safety technology. There are also additional complexities and expenses associated with compliance with the safety regulations or standards when implementing robotization into a company. Doing repairs as well as controlling articulated robots is technically requiring highly skilled technicians and engineers having knowledge of troubleshooting, programming, and robotics. A deficiency in such a workforce has slowed down the global embracing of robot automation.

Impact of COVID-19

Owing to the instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic there came a shift towards automation due to social distancing and a high surge in demand for articulated robots in the e-commerce and healthcare sectors. The enforcement of social-distancing rules to curb the spread of the virus prompted many industries to minimize human contact. This situation accelerated the adoption of articulated robots, particularly in environments where human presence was previously dominant, such as manufacturing floors, warehouses, and logistics centers. Robots can work continuously without fatigue, reducing the need for human workers in close proximity. This not only ensured the safety of workers but also maintained, and in some cases, increased operational efficiency during the pandemic.

With lockdowns and social distancing, online shopping surged, leading to a spike in demand for efficient warehousing and logistics operations. Articulated robots played a crucial role in sorting, packing, and moving goods, ensuring timely delivery to consumers. In the healthcare sector, there was a need for articulated robots for tasks such as medical device assembly, handling, and packaging. The use of robots also extended to laboratories and even hospitals for tasks like disinfection, testing, and delivering supplies, minimizing the risk of infection for healthcare workers. In the manufacturing industry, articulated robots helped the sector continue with crucial operations even though human labor was reduced due to the lockdown.

There were a few negative impacts of COVID-19. Industries like automotive and electronics saw a pause in demand as consumers were not willing to pay during the pandemic in these sectors. Moreover, the supply chain disruptions during the pandemic due to closed factories, logistical delay, high cost of raw materials etc. had a negative effect on the overall articulated robots market.

Segmentation

The global articulated robot market is segmented based on payload capacity, applications, and industry verticals. By payload capacity, the market is further segmented into high payload (over 20kg), medium payload (5-20kg), and low payload (below 5 kg). In 2023, the medium payload robots segment represented the largest market share. The medium-payload robots are versatile and largely deployed in industries such as consumer goods, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. Its major applications include assembly, packaging, and general material handling. Though the high payload robots segment currently trails behind medium payload robots in terms of market share, it is likely to see strong growth during the forecast period. A high payload robot serves a critical need in heavy manufacturing, the automobile sector, and other industries involved with manipulation related to large, heavy components. The demand from the automotive sector is expected to drive this segment to dominance, especially for welding, assembly, and material handling applications.

Based on application, the market is segmented into material handling, welding & soldering, assembly, painting & dispensing, inspection & testing, and others. The material handling segment occupied the largest market share in 2023. Material handling involves picking, palletizing, sorting, and packing. These activities in industries such as logistics, manufacturing, and e-commerce, where a high degree of care and efficiency needs to be exercised over goods, become necessary.

By industry, the market is further bifurcated into automotive, electronics, metal & machinery, food & beverages, chemicals, pharmaceuticals & cosmetics, and others. The biggest market share of the articulated robot market in 2023 was held by the automotive industry. Robots are primarily used for various welding, painting, and assembly processes associated with vehicle manufacturing. This has led to the rapid diffusion of articulated robots due to the drive toward automation of the industry in order to improve production efficiency and quality.

Regional Analysis

The Asia Pacific market is currently the largest articulated robot market across the globe, primarily due to the extent of deep industrialization in the region and healthy economic growth. These countries include China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, which are pioneering in the application and execution of the use of articulated robots in manufacturing in various industries. Being the current worldwide manufacturing hub, China particularly utilises articulated robots solely for the purpose of increasing its productivity, mainly under the administration's initiatives, such as the "Made in China 2025" plan. Japan, with its powerhouse technology sector, is a leader in the field of robotics, with major companies like FANUC and Yaskawa pushing the market. Similarly, South Korea helps dominate the market by being a world-leading electronics industry and emphasises on smart manufacturing. Taiwan has manufacturing units of semiconductors and electronics which adds value to the market. Thus, owing to its predominant manufacturing base in combination with ongoing investment in new automation technologies, the region continues to hold a leading position on the global stage in terms of the supply of articulated robots.

The major expenditure continues to stem from high-cost labor countries such as the U.S. and Canada, which continue to adopt automated solutions, including articulated robots, to reduce operational expenses and increase efficiency. These are factors due to which North America would grow at the highest CAGR for articulated robots. The U.S. and Canada have high labor costs, and that is why they have adopted automated solutions including articulated robots in the bid to reduce operational expenses and improve efficiency. Moreover, technological advancements relating to artificial intelligence and machine learning further enhance the capabilities of such robots, and is one of the prime enablers of the rapid growth in this particular region.

The countries leading Europe are Germany, Italy, and France. The major reason is that Germany is strong in cars and manufacturing, where the demand for robots is driven by to high efficiency and positioning of articulated robots in very dynamic applications that require high accuracy and repeatability. Italy and France are also large contributors to this aggregate, modernizing the industrial process, sustaining growth while looking to meet sustainability goals, and benefiting from regulations that support automation.

The share of emerging markets of articulated robots will include Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Such economies are undergoing industrial development, infrastructure availability, and rising labor costs, supporting robot technology, which signals huge growth potential.

Competitive Analysis

The key players in the global articulated robot market are Seiko Epson Corporation, Yaskawa Electric, ABB Limited, Mitsubishi Electric, Kuka AG, Denso Wave, Fanuc Corporation, Aurotek Corporation, Daihen Corporation, ForwardX Robotics, and Siasun, among others.

In June 2024, Mitsubishi Electric released pre-engineered Automated Robotics Industrial Assistant (ARIA) which will be a cost-effective system for industries and will address problems like labor shortages, and productivity challenges and maintain quality standards. Similarly, in July 2024, ForwardX Robotics launched smaller but nimble middle-weight autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

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The global articulated robot market is segmented as follows:

By Payload Capacity (Revenue: USD Billion, 2019 – 2031)
●    High Payload (Over 20kg)
●    Medium Payload (5-20kg)
●    Low Payload (Below 5kg)

By Application (Revenue: USD Billion, 2019 – 2031)
●    Material Handling
●    Welding & Soldering
●    Assembly
●    Painting & Dispensing
●    Inspecting & Testing
●    Others

By Industry (Revenue: USD Billion, 2019 – 2031)
●    Automotive
●    Electronics
●    Metal & Machinery
●    Food & Beverages
●    Chemicals
●    Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics
●    Others

By Region (Revenue: USD Billion, 2019 – 2031)

● North America
o U.S.
o Canada
o Mexico

● Europe
o U.K.
o France
o Germany
o Italy
o Spain
o Rest of Europe

● Asia Pacific
o China
o Japan
o India
o South Korea
o South East Asia
o Rest of Asia Pacific

● Latin America
o Brazil
o Argentina
o Rest of Latin America

● Middle East & Africa
o GCC Countries
o South Africa
o Rest of Middle East & Africa