World robotics has continued to expand over the past few years. It’s very exciting to see how the robotics field takes shape, with the robots being the emerging topics in today’s IT industry. In fact, the world is now in its futuristic state as robots start to take over human jobs.
The robotics world continues to disrupt new markets beyond the supply chain/logistics and manufacturing industries based on what was seen in 2019. Robots have proven their worth in taking on dangerous tasks and helping address labor shortages.
It’s time to look ahead at what the robotics sector may have in store across various industries. What does the year 2020 hold for the robotics field? Obviously, each sector will continue to be transformed by industrial robotics in various forms. Below is a closer look at the trends in the robotics world that can play a vital role this 2020 and in the upcoming years.
- The Rise Of Security Robots
With stay-at-home orders being implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world will deploy more robots to ensure compliance from the public and to enforce laws. Security and defense robotics will rise, from the teleoperated robots (remote-controlled by humans) in developing countries to more advanced robots, such as the K2 from the US-based company Knightscope. Compared to robots from more advanced economies, such as of Japan, Korea, the US, and the EU, many of the robots being created in developing countries are technologically simplistic and devoid of intelligence. However, it clearly demonstrates the willingness of world governments to utilize robots for security purposes this year and beyond.
- The Emergence Of Collaborative Robots In Industrial Robotics
Collaborative robots are the next major step in industrial robotics. They’re expected to be more affordable than the fully-automated ones and safely work alongside humans. Collaborative robots will simply adopt into manufacturers with ROI restrictions when they become more capable in extreme industrial settings.
Figuring out that automation in robotics would disrupt the manufacturing sector isn’t rocket science. However, it may still take some more years before industrial robots can operate in their full potential. Nonetheless, the future of industrial robotics seems exciting with adaptive and innovative technologies, like artificial intelligence and smart sensors already at the disposal.
- Commercial Drone Deployments Become An Inch Ahead
A lot of development related to commercial drone activity took place last year. The focus was around autonomous systems that can fly drone missions BVLOS or beyond the visual line of sight. Through new sensors, battery and payload improvements were also implemented.
This robotics space will bring humanity closer to commercial drone applications in dangerous locations, underground environments, infrastructure inspections, and deliveries in 2020. However, with government regulations around drones still in the early stages, a boom in commercial drone deployments is unlikely to happen this year. The Federal Aviation Administration’s proposal that all drones must secure a remote ID (similar to a license plate) by complying with registration requirements is one of the most recent developments.
- Expansion In The Usage Of Healthcare And Assistive Robotics
People all over the world are practicing social distancing and opting to stay at home instead of socializing in traditional venues. Many companies have also shifted to a temporary work-from-home setup. However, frontline professionals, such as nurses and doctors, are exposed to the virus on a daily basis. Until recently, they had few options to protect themselves against infection. In order to diagnose patients and treat them, these workers don’t have other choices but to move closer to the coronavirus threat. The good news is that robots can already handle these functions with ease nowadays.
There was already a steady growth in the robotization of healthcare prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the pandemic has caused an explosion in demand for assistive robots this year. It’s especially true in the field of surgical robotics. Robots can prevent excessive risk from exposure and decrease the number of overtasked healthcare professionals. The usage of healthcare robotics will continue to expand even after the COVID-19 crisis.
- Cloud Robotics
Robots can connect to other machines with the help of cloud technology and Internet of things (IoT). This way, they can verify functionality, perform maintenance, and learn new functionality faster and more easily. Cloud robotics will make the upcoming generation of fully-automated workers possible.
Final Thoughts
To meet the demand for product variety, act on new consumer trends, improve security, and deal with the challenges brought by the pandemic, smart robotics will be of great importance this year. Digitalization, collaboration, and simplification are considered to be the key drivers in the implementation of the abovementioned robotic trends.