Industrial robots: Gradually to intelligent/universal, industrial application prospects can be expected

Development history: Industrial robots to intelligent/universal development

The development process of industrial robots can be divided into three stages: the embryonic stage of technology (the first generation of industrial robots in the 1950s and 1960s) : the embryonic form of industrial robots began during the Second World War, which was originally due to the development needs of the military and nuclear industry to meet the remote control robots that replaced humans for radioactive material processing. Since then, American inventor George Devore first proposed the concept of industrial robots and applied for a patent for “editable joint material transfer device” in 1954. In 1958, the world’s first robot company Unimation was established, and in 1959, the world’s first real industrial robot Unimate was launched using George Devore’s patent, creating a new era of robot development. During this period, it is mainly the first generation of industrial robots, that is, teaching and reproducing robots without autonomous decision-making ability and environmental perception ability.

Industrial rise stage (late 20th century, the second generation of industrial robots) : Since 1968, Unimation has transferred robot manufacturing technology to Japan’s Kawasaki and Britain’s GKN company, and industrial robot business has expanded to Japan and Europe, beginning to industrialization and globalization. In 1969, ASEA developed the world’s first spraying robot, and Kawasaki successfully launched Japan’s first hydraulic powered robot “Kawasaki Unimate 2000”. Since then, more companies have entered the field of industrial robots, forming the European robot enterprises represented by ABB and Kuka, and the Japanese robot enterprise pattern represented by Kawasaki, Fanuc and Yaskawa, and the robot market has grown steadily. During this period, industrial robots developed from the first generation to the second generation, capable of sensing external information and performing simple processing and feedback.

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Industrial upgrading stage (early 21st century, the third generation of industrial robots) : With the development of industrial automation, industrial robots continue to expand application scenarios and develop core technologies. 1) From the application scenario point of view, industrial robots can achieve faster speed, higher precision, and a wider range of size models and loads, to achieve more extensive and intelligent scenarios in large-scale workpiece handling production, logistics transportation, food and beverage, biopharmaceutical, automotive manufacturing and other applications. 2) From the perspective of technological development, the core technology of industrial robots has developed rapidly. In 2002, the Boston Company and the Japanese company jointly applied for the first “mechanical dog” intelligent military robot patent; In 2004 Yaskawa and ABB both developed controllers that could simultaneously control multiple robots; In 2006, the Italian Comau company launched the first wireless teaching device; In 2015, ABB launched YuMi, the world’s first truly collaborative robot. During this period, industrial robots entered the third generation, with intelligent characteristics, can use various sensors, gauges to obtain information and use intelligent technology to identify, understand and feedback.

The four major families of industrial robots occupy a high position by virtue of their leading advantages in the original business and their high mastery of robotics technology. Take ABB’s development history as an example. The company was founded in 1988 by the merger of two famous electrical companies with a century-old history – ASEA, a manufacturer of electrical lighting and generators, and BBC, a high-voltage electrical transmission company. Since then ABB has become a technology leader in the field of electrical and automation. Offering comprehensive and increasingly digital solutions for electrification, movement and automation. On this basis, ABB adjusted its business structure, continued its predecessor ASEA’s leading layout in the field of industrial robots, and began to rapidly develop its robot business. Since the launch of the world’s first microcomputer-controlled robot in 1974, ABB has continuously made breakthrough innovations. Constantly improve the product layout of industrial robots in the industrial chain, and improve performance through technological innovation.