Global Robot Installations Smash Records Again in 2023 – Unveiling Implications for the Present and Future

As Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics has said, “robots play a fundamental role in securing the changing demands of manufacturers around the world, with new trends in robotics attract[ing] users from small enterprise to global OEMs.” This was reflected in the number of new robot installations during 2023, with the stock of operational robots hitting a new international record of about 3.5 million units.

Join us as we explore the significance of this remarkable surge, examining its impact and forecasting future trends across various industries, job markets, and the wider technological landscape.

Current Landscape

The growth barrier was broken, with a recorded 553,052 industrial robot installations in factories worldwide for 2023. This represented a 5% increase from 2022, with 73% of the new robot installations being completed in Asia, 15% in Europe, and 10% in the Americas. 

Asia’s rise (particularly in the case of China) as a robotics hub is clear, with industrial and domestic suppliers expanding production facilities and boosting capacity. Japan has maintained its position as the leading country in robot manufacturing, capturing a 46% market share.

Although trailing some way behind Asia in terms of new installations, Europe has remained the world’s second-largest robot manufacturing market. Germany continues to lead in the adoption of robot technologies, with a 36% market share. The UK has also experienced a modest 3% increase in installations to 2,534 units.

Technological Advancements

The global spike in robot installations has been fuelled by the development of such technologies as artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML). There have also been major advancements in the field of robotics, with increasing use of such technologies for purposes including product picking, packing, and assembly.

Manufacturers have been tapping into the potential of generative AI, programming through natural language rather than code. Predictive AI has also been used in the analysis of robot performance, with proactive maintenance preventing equipment issues and downtime costs.

ML systems are also being used to analyse the performance of robotic systems for task optimisation. The development and integration of such technologies makes for improvements in quality, reliability, and efficiency as highlighted in our recent blog on transformative manufacturing trends.

Economic Impact

The growth of robot installations and associated technologies is bound to bring a variety of economic benefits, with the boost of productivity making for greater business success. This could be vital for the reversal of the financial crisis, with the UK recently reported as being in a recession.

The widening adoption of robotics is sure to increase GDP. Despite fears over job loss and displacement, such technologies are bound to create new opportunities. The automation of menial jobs such as raw material sorting and transportation will allow skilled workers more time to focus on higher-value activities, with a range of new roles emerging.

Industry-Specific Insights

Besides the automation of menial tasks, the integration of advanced robotic systems has allowed for improvements in manufacturing precision and workplace safety. Businesses have also seen great returns on investment, with improved product quality resulting in higher levels of customer satisfaction and general success across competitive markets.

The assurance of round-the-clock productivity has prompted the increased adoption of lights-off manufacturing. Manufacturers have been able to produce quality products with much higher levels of consistency than could be achieved purely by hand. The reduction of lead times and productivity improvements have made for a 20% - 60% reduction of total manufacturing costs.

Here are some other examples of industries to have benefited from robot integration:

• Healthcare - supported with advanced robotic systems, doctors have been able to carry out procedures with greater precision, making for reduced patient risk and shorter recovery times 
• Logistics - all-new levels of efficiency and order accuracy have been achieved with robotic technologies such as automated guided vehicles
• Automotive - used for welding, painting, assembly, and inspection, robotic systems have enabled greater productivity and quality control.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

Of course, there are challenges and ethical factors that must be taken into account given the rapid rise in robot installations. As highlighted in our blog on robot programming methods, privacy must be considered in the use of commercially sensitive and personal data (as with the integration of employee, health, or financial records). Care must also be taken to avoid the programming of autonomous vehicles and robots with biased algorithms that might cause risks to safety or behaviour based on stereotypes.

Robot technology developers must take responsibility for ensuring transparency and accountability in data collection and use. They should address privacy concerns with systems to ensure the anonymity of such data through encryption and limited access. People should have the ability to opt out and delete their data as they wish. Manufacturers must also ensure the equality of employment opportunities and account for diverse views in the development of robotic systems.

Future Trends and Predictions

There are 3.4 million industrial robots in use across the world today. This number will only grow given the associated range of benefits. We can expect to see the rapid expansion of the international robotics market, with particularly significant investment in collaborative robots. The busting of the “robots take jobs myth” will be key, with the recognition that robots fill vacant roles (many of which fall into the dull, dirty, and dangerous category). A balanced approach must be taken for ethical and human-friendly advancement.

Automate UK have a leading role to play (following the Manifesto for automation) in:

• Fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that supports the development and adoption of automation technologies
• Investing in education and training to ensure that the UK’s workforce is equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly changing workplace
• Developing policies and strategies that support the adoption of automation across all sectors
• Ensuring that the benefits of automation are shared equitably across society and the potential negative impacts are mitigated.

Moving forward into this digital age, we encourage you to stay informed about the latest automation and robotic developments. Follow Automate UK on social media and keep up with our website updates as we drive progress and support the best technology decisions.