A look at the numbers reveals the following: The service robotics segment, which also includes robots in logistics, is booming like never before. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), global sales volumes in 2019 have grown by over 30 percent compared to the previous year – sales volumes for logistics robots even grew by 110 percent. The pandemic has fueled this upward trend, but the numbers indicated growth even before the pandemic.
They pick orders, package, palletise or label: Robots have long since had a foothold when it comes to making (intra)logistics processes more efficient. Furthermore, they relieve personnel from monotonous and unergonomic tasks, as they often tend to occur in logistics and fulfilment centres. The latest generation of mobile and collaborative robots bring additional advantages that can often be quickly deployed thanks to simple programming and operation and can also be “taught” new tasks in no time.
It’s no wonder that logistics robots continue to triumph all over the world. According to IFR, Mobile robot solutions are already established in transportation and logistics, with more than 49,500 units (+45%) sold in 2021. More than one out of every three professional service robots sold in 2021 was built for the transportation of goods or cargo. Traditional sales remain the main channel of monetisation, but RaaS business models enjoy growing popularity: The RaaS fleet grew by 86% to more than 3,700 units in 2021. Nearly all of the sales were due to logistics robots that are intended for indoor use. Autonomous mobile robots mostly work in warehouses. But thanks to digitalisation and networking, they are also increasingly finding a place in intelligent factories.
According to Milton Guerry, former President of the International Federation of Robotics, robots in logistics quickly pay dividends: “In a hypothetical 24-hour operation, the procurement pays for itself within two to three years – often times even much faster. With a service life of 15 years, the operating costs are roughly five percent of the annual investment. Sophisticated systems often offer operational availability of 98 percent and greater.”
In non-processing industries, the use of robot-assisted logistics systems was heavily driven by warehouse solutions for major E-commerce companies. Furthermore, according to the IFR, there is great potential in hospitals, who run their logistics with the help of professional service robots. In 2019, ABB has already presented the concept of a mobile laboratory robot for the hospital of the future. In the “Health Care Hub” at the Texas Medical Centre (TMC) campus in Houston, Texas, the company is conducting extensive research on technology concepts for healthcare.
Robots in logistics increase speed, precision, and predictability, increase effectiveness and guarantee a smooth process.
Sales of logistics robots are exceptionally increasing in the service robotics sector – with growth rates of 40 percent or more per year. This information comes from the “World Robotics 2022 – Service Robots” yearbook from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).
*This blog article is based on content kindly provided to us by ABB Robotics.
