– Growing interest in robots due to the rapid development of artificial intelligence
– Accelerating industrial automation and robot adoption
With the rapid development of artificial intelligence in recent years, the utilization of robots has increased. It is attracting attention as an alternative to change the existing business model that can reduce manual processes and handle repetitive tasks. By 2022, more robots are expected to be introduced across U.S. industries.
construction field
One of the major industries where automation and robotics will be introduced in 2022 will be the construction sector. In the past, the construction industry was considered as one of the industries far from automation and digitalization, but since the outbreak of COVID-19, the shortage of manpower and the rapid increase in demand for new construction projects have resulted in the introduction of robot technology as a solution.
Moreover, the passage of large-scale infrastructure legislation in the United States in 2022 will stimulate the adoption of automation and robotics in the construction sector as a number of construction projects proceed. Robots are also used for simple repetitive tasks such as rebar binding, paint work, site surveying, and brick-laying, as well as self-driving forklifts for material transport.
<Types of construction robots and major companies>
[Source: Comprehensive data from KOTRA Chicago Trade Center]
Logistics and packaging
E-commerce sales surged to record highs in 2020. As online shopping has become a daily routine in the United States as in Korea, the e-commerce industry is expected to continue to grow in the future. The industry is considering introducing automation technology into its shipping and packaging processes to keep up with the surge in demand. For example, Amazon has adopted automation technology solutions in large numbers. The introduction and automation of robots from product sorting, picking up, packaging, and shipping are rapidly taking place. In 2022, 100% automated unmanned delivery and packaging centers are also expected to appear.
<Major Shipping and Logistics Companies>
[Source: Comprehensive data from KOTRA Chicago Trade Center]
Food and food service
The food and food service industry is also actively adopting automation and robots. The food and food service industry is adopting robotic technology as a creative way to improve the food service experience for customers and create new business models. The unmanned pizza restaurant that appeared in mid-2021 is a prime example. Manufacturing robots produce up to 100 custom pizzas per hour at the restaurant, while ordering robots are responsible for ordering and serving.
<Major food and food service automation companies>
Picnic, Hyper-Robotics, Stellar, Miso Robotics, Creator, Badger Technologies, Simbe Robotics, Alert Innovation, Rockwell Automation, Epson, Bastian Solutions, Flexicell, TrueBird
[Source: Comprehensive data from KOTRA Chicago Trade Center]
manufacturing
In the manufacturing industry, supply chain bottlenecks are occurring in various places as production is reduced due to insufficient labor. Robot assembly line and automatic quality control are emerging as methods to solve this problem. Manufacturing processes are often iterative and operate at scale, so automated production can produce more products in less time, with better quality, and at scale. Recently, global multinational companies are considering the US as a new production base, and industrial automation will accelerate during factory construction. On the other hand, industrial automation robots are mostly dominated by foreign companies, not the US.
<Major automation companies in the manufacturing industry>
ABB, Fanuc, Kuka, Yaskawa, Comau, Epson, Kawasaki, Mitsuibshi, Staubi, Cobot
[Source: Comprehensive data from KOTRA Chicago Trade Center]
medical field
The safety of surgical robots that require precise work has increased, drawing great anticipation. With the use of autonomous cleaning robots, it was possible to keep the medical space clean with minimal manpower operation after Corona 19. In nursing homes, robots that help the elderly are receiving attention, and they are helping to solve the manpower shortage and increase welfare for the elderly.
<Major automation companies in the medical field>
Diligent Robotics, ReWalk Robotics, Myomo, Barrett Technology, Energid Technologies, Intuitive Surgical, Ansensus Surgical, Embodied, Harvard Biodesign Lab, SoftBank Robotics, da Vinci Surgical Robot, Xenex, PARO, CyberKnife, TUG
[Source: Comprehensive data from KOTRA Chicago Trade Center]
implication
Demand for robots surged in 2020 and 2021 thanks to advanced robot technology. 2022 is expected to be an even more important year for robotics and automation. Moreover, manufacturing innovation through automation is emerging as the core of global competitiveness. A South Carolina-based luxury auto plant has more than doubled its annual output, with the introduction of automated processes empowering workers to solve problems more creatively than ever before.
It is true that the problem of jobs disappearing due to industrial automation has become a social issue, but the solution to the problem is not to slow or reverse the pace of technological development or industry application, but rather to enable workers to adapt to the current situation and increase demand for automation. It is to give them the right to switch to new jobs and industries through education such as operating skills.
Consumers always want new products, spaces and services. Robots are a major means of evolving a business and have a variety of uses. In the past, the application of automation was mainly limited to manufacturing, but recently it has been expanded to various fields such as finance, medical care, and food industry. The introduction of advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence frees financial advisors, claims adjusters and other knowledge workers to focus on customer service and customer communications. In some hotels, robots are being tested on behalf of humans to solve complex customer needs.
As a local consulting official said in an interview with KOTRA's Chicago Trade Office, "The introduction of automation and robots is particularly attractive when companies are faced with a labor market where it is difficult to hire workers." need to see
Source: Robotics and Automation News, Airforce-technology, ABB, Miso Robotics, Rethink Robotics, Boston dynamics, Univerysal-Robots, Tech Radar, Mashable, Robotics and automation news, FRB SF, ST.Louis Fed, KOTRA Chicago Trade Center