Advancements in robotic and control technology now make it possible for industrial robots to expand beyond their traditional manufacturing and automation roles, to support whole new classes of applications, and by extension, new markets. Perhaps the best example of this trend is the development and use of collaborative robots, human scale systems that are easy to set up and program, are capable of being used by workers with a wide range of qualification levels, can support multiple types of automation, and which can work safely in close proximity to human workers.
The collaborative robotics segment is growing rapidly as new suppliers, technologies, and investors enter the market. As is common with other hot technology sectors, this has resulted in a great deal of “noise” in the robotics community, as well as in the business and investment press. This results in increased risk, missed opportunities, and confusion among all members of the collaborative robotics value chain. This report addresses a number of important issues related to collaborative robotics including collaborative robotics adoption drivers and forecasts for collaborative robotics sales and revenues. A number of representative collaborative robotics companies are highlighted, along with the features and capabilities that distinguish them.