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Record Sales of Collaborative Robots Reveal Increasing Demand for End-Of-Arm-Tooling

Annual installations of collaborative robots (cobots) grew 23% from 2017 to 2018, according to the World Robotics Report, published by International Federation of Robotics.

Posted: January 25, 2020

In 2018, almost 14,000 new cobot arms were installed, and if this rise continues, that number will double in approximately three years, prompting an unprecedented EoAT market opportunity.

The U.S. ranks eighth in the world for robot density, according to World Robotics 2019. OnRobot CEO Enrico Krog Iversen says that's a clear indication the U.S. market is far from saturated.

OnRobot's new One-System Solution provides a unified mechanical and electrical interface between any OnRobot EoAT and a full range of cobots and light industrial robots.

For the first time ever, the annual World Robotics report includes a specific analysis on the market for cobots, documenting a robust 23 percent growth worldwide. The International Federation of Robotics’ report indicates that a substantial part of the adoption will be driven by more intelligent components such as smart grippers, “plug & play” interfaces, and programming by demonstrations.

“The significant growth of cobot installations shows that our new One-System Solution that provides a unified mechanical and electrical interface between any OnRobot EoAT and a full range of cobots and light industrial robots is right on track,” says OnRobot CEO Enrico Krog Iversen.

“This new platform helps small and mid-sized manufacturers optimize their processes with greater flexibility, higher output, and improved quality. We have only seen the beginning of amazing growth in the cobot area, alongside with the current rise of industrial robots,” he added.

Given the growing market, Iversen says OnRobot plans to extend their number of products from 10 to 50 in 2020. With a single robotic system, a single platform for programming and training, and single vendor relationship, he says manufacturers now have access to a full range of tools, full robot compatibility, and virtually unlimited possibilities for collaborative applications.

The United States is a major market for OnRobot, where its robot sales increased in 2018 for the eighth year in a row 40,300 units, 22 percent more than 2017. The U.S. is now No. 3 in the world for robot installations; in terms of robot density –– number of robots per 10,000 employees –– the U.S. ranks No. 8, with Singapore, Korea and Germany holding the top three spots.

“The U.S. market is far from saturated,” says Kristian Hulgard, general manager for OnRobot’s Americas division. “With record low unemployment, U.S. manufacturers face labor shortages while also struggling to compete with low-wage countries. Automation is their only solution to this multi-faceted challenge and we’re well-positioned to seize this opportunity.”