Products: From generic products to customized segments

The development of collaborative robots is gradually transitioning from general-purpose products to subdivided models for specific application scenarios. This trend reflects the growing market demand for more specialized collaborative robots in different industries. Here are some of the factors that are influencing the growth of this type of professional collaborative robot market:

FE-USI-0002 Diversification of load and arm span: The load capacity and working range of a collaborative robot are key parameters in its design. Robot manufacturers will offer products with different loads and operating ranges for different application needs. For example, light cobots are suitable for light assembly and handling tasks, while heavy cobots are suitable for heavier handling tasks.

Application-specific optimization: Some collaborative robots are designed for specific application scenarios, such as laboratory automation, medical surgical assistance, education, and scientific research. These robots often have special features suitable for their application scenarios, such as higher accuracy, special end-effectors, or industry-standard safety features.

Technology integration and innovation: As collaborative robots develop, they are integrating more advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine vision, force feedback control, etc., to meet the needs of more market segments. The application of these technologies allows collaborative robots to work more effectively with human workers and perform more complex tasks.

Industry: Manufacturing + logistics + services drive growth

In 2028, global shipments of collaborative robots are expected to reach 132,000 units, with manufacturing, logistics and services being the three major growth engines.

FE-USI-0002 In terms of revenue, the automotive industry will still hold the largest market share in 2023 and 2028. However, in terms of shipments, the electronics industry will remain the largest end-user industry for collaborative robots by 2028, accounting for 20.7%. However, in terms of revenue share, the electronics industry will be in second place at 15.8%, mainly because the average price of collaborative robots used in the electronics industry is expected to decline faster – the industry tends to use robot arms with smaller loads to work in more complex assembly applications. As a typical labor-intensive industry, we believe that the electronics industry is a natural fit for human-machine collaborative work.

Despite the current market size, agriculture is expected to be the fastest growing application segment for collaborative robot sales over the next five years, with a compound annual growth rate of 39.1%. Automation using machine vision could help make up for labor shortages in the field.

The new energy sector (including battery manufacturing, photovoltaic, wind and hydrogen) is expected to have the second highest CAGR (30.1%).

Logistics is not far behind, with a forecast CAGR of 28.8%. In addition, the robot palletizing with the vision system is also a key application scenario, and the introduction of collaborative robots will help further reduce the threshold for robot use and promote the demand for robots in this field.