AI Set to Supercharge Robotic Automation

Last year was an exciting time for innovation when it comes to the world of robotics and automation. And while there’s plenty more in store for 2024, there are also sure to be stops and starts and various challenges along the way.

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, for example, captured global attention and dominated headlines. However, the adoption of generative AI for businesses is still very much in its early stages and questions of how best to harness this technology remain at the forefront of many minds.

Digital transformation itself is an ongoing process, so we can expect to see 2023’s breakthrough trends continuing to shape society. But how will these trends impact robotics and automation, and what can the manufacturing industry expect to see?

Here are a few predictions:

1) AI will set a new pace of development in robotics and automation.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the world of software development, making it cheaper, faster and more effective. Software is a key component of automation, and, with AI, software developers will be able to create more customized and optimized solutions for various tasks and challenges.

If software development has sometimes felt like digging with a shovel, the introduction of AI is like bringing two horses and a plow to the process. However, automation expertise will remain a scarce and valuable resource in the process of AI revolutionizing manufacturing.

It has been interesting and, perhaps, surprising to see AI changing the lives of office workers before it touches the working practices in most factories. I look forward to seeing the benefits of machine learning reach more manufacturers in 2024. After all, the technology is already here—we have many partners developing applications using AI to allow robots to perform more complex and diverse functions.

Logistics is expected to see a 46% growth in cobot shipments for 2023-2027. DCL Logistics in California deployed Universal Robots’ UR10e cobot and realized a 500% efficiency increase, 50% labor savings, a three-month ROI and 100% order accuracy. (All photos Provided by Universal Robots)

AI allows robots to have human-like perception, handle variation, move parts precisely, adapt to changing environments and learn from their own experience. With time, these capabilities will lead to unprecedented flexibility, quality and reliability in manufacturing.

2) Developments in robotics software will enable more sharing and reuse.

Robotics software is the glue that binds users to their mechanical counterparts—a digital connectivity that transcends physical interaction. Software developments are enabling a new dimension of collaboration—connecting the people that use robots.

In 2024, expect to see software developments leading to new levels of sharing and reusability. Imagine a world where, instead of reinventing the wheel, we leverage existing software assets—components, interfaces, algorithms—across multiple applications. It’s a principle that already underpins our UR+ partner ecosystem, streamlining innovation and reducing time to market.

3) Companies will fuse IT and OT using data to improve operations.

The future of manufacturing is intricately linked to information/operating technology) integration as data will underpin innovation and efficiency. Research shows that the manufacturing industry has been at the forefront of adopting cloud-based software services, and we are already seeing some customers use these to enhance quality, cost efficiency and predictability. That makes me confident that 2024 will see the growth of data-driven logistics and manufacturing systems.

Many still have an outdated view of the cloud merely being a data collector and backup function, as we know it from our private lives. But the real potential and power doesn’t lie in storing data or even in linking machines. The real transformative leap comes when cloud-based software services connect humans and machines, helping manufacturers simplify complex processes and make smarter decisions.

The benefits of this digital evolution are significant. Remote access to manufacturing data enables quick responses to issues and continuous automation improvement. With dynamic systems now essential, trusted cloud technologies offer the latest in security and state-of-the-art services. Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) companies highlight this progression, promising improved efficiency and reduced downtime through overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) visualization and predictive maintenance.

3D Infotech is a UR+ partner developing software designed specifically to run deep learning applications.

As we enter 2024, manufacturers stand to gain from these advancements, achieving higher quality, reduced downtime, better predictability and cost optimization. This transition is a strategic necessity, supporting the shift toward high-volume, high-mix production, resilient supply chains, competitive data utilization and sustainability goals.

4) Logistics will be a focus area for robotics.

Last year, Interact Analysis looked at projected growth rates in robot shipments across industries. The standout projected growth area was logistics, where Interact Analysis put the projected CAGR for cobot shipments at 46% for 2023-2027.

Like manufacturing, many logistics companies face serious labor shortages while pressure is increasing as a result of globalization, e-commerce and complex multichannel supply chains. More logistics, warehouse and distribution centers will turn to automation next year to provide services faster and with greater accuracy.

To take an example—facing the challenge of surging e-commerce demands, one logistics company we worked with revolutionized its fulfillment center with collaborative robots, resulting in a fivefold surge in efficiency and order accuracy.

The automation system, adept at processing thousands of orders daily, particularly excelled during peak periods, such as Black Friday, where a robot managed up to 4,400 orders in one day with just a small crew for replenishment.

Robots—and the smart use of data—are poised to revolutionize logistics businesses across the whole value chain, from incoming packages to outbound logistics. The pace of development in robotics remains impressive, and I look forward to another exciting year of progress.

Source: www.sme.org