Industrial robots usher in the golden age

The era of industrial automation is gradually approaching, and robots are expected to usher in the golden age.

In early 2013, Foxconn suspended recruitment in many places. The suspension of recruitment is undoubtedly related to the 1 million robot strategy proposed at the end of 2011. In fact, Foxconn's robot program is just a microcosm of Taiwan's processing companies advancing into the "Time of Armour." In the world's manufacturing industries, the robot team is gradually replacing the traditional work force, especially in the industrial fields of assembly, dispensing, handling, welding, etc., and it has set off an upsurge in the use of robots. Enterprises that use industrial robots in large quantities have grown from international companies. Popularize local industries.

In addition to industrial applications, the development plan for the Robotics human assisting business has also been oriented towards the application of diversified robotics for industrial robots.

The application of industrial robots is extending from the automotive industry to the general industry. In addition to the aforementioned metal processing, food and beverage, plastics and rubber, 3C, pharmaceutical and other industries, robots are used in wind energy, solar energy, transportation, construction materials, logistics, and even waste disposal. The industry can do a lot.

In terms of the development status of Japanese robots, Japanese robot manufacturers come from various industries, some of which are transferred from downstream customers, some are upstream suppliers or related companies, and small startup companies. But the vast majority of manufacturers themselves are users of robots, such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, Panasonic, Toshiba Machine, Fanuc, Yaskawa, etc. This has led them to develop more innovative manufacturing technologies because of their internal use.

Japan's robotics industry has developed into a world-leading position, behind which are all important upstream industry support. Other countries do not have a complete robotics cluster like Japan. In this industry cluster, robot manufacturers are closely linked with upstream suppliers and customers. Many times, their relationships are integrated into one aspect, and close cooperation with each other also accelerates industry innovation.

Due to fierce competition at home and abroad, Japanese companies have also been forced to accelerate their efforts to reduce costs, improve products, and develop new markets. In the case of a large number of competitors, the industry must not only improve existing products, but also introduce new products continuously. This active situation will also help improve the conditions for strengthening the internal and external environments of the robot industry. Due to the buoyant domestic market demand, Japanese manufacturers did not regard exports as one of their development goals until the late 1980s. In the past 10 years, Japan’s robot export volume has exceeded its domestic sales amount. The major robot manufacturers in Japan are also paying attention to the emerging applications of robots.

In terms of Yaskawa Electric, its business areas are moving towards diversification, not only industrial or manufacturing: Yaskawa's goal is to focus on its core business of industrial robots. At the same time, it promises to create a robot market that is easier to use and functions more closely to human needs. These emerging robot markets include co-existence with people robots and robots assisting people.

On the other hand, Yaskawa Electric is also working hard to develop next-generation service robots. It is based on the assumption that society and humanity coexist and cooperate in the future, starting with the robot SmartPal. On the other hand, the company is also committed to shifting its current industrial robots to the service sector in order to accelerate the expansion of the service robot market and take the lead in a number of research and development activities.

In order to achieve the aforementioned goals based on the company's original core technologies and products and expand the application areas and markets in emerging areas, Yaskawa Electric is currently conducting research and development of a number of new robots, including new generations of industrial robots, automatic handling robots, and automatic multi- Functional robots, navigation and service robots, etc.

From the development trend of robotics in Japan, it can be inferred that "multi-cornered application of industrial robot technology", "development of service plans in line with international market demand" and "explore the potential needs of small and medium-sized enterprises" will become the development of robots in countries around the world. The main direction.