In 2018, these 30 industrial robot manufacturers deserve your attention
In 2018, industrial robots were set to undergo significant advancements in both hardware and software. On the software side, there was a growing focus on applications that could monitor and manage robotic systems more efficiently, as well as more complex industrial IoT solutions that extended into tasks like welding and assembly. Hardware innovations included integrating more computing power directly into robot arms and using more efficient actuators and components to improve performance and responsiveness.
These developments made industrial robots an exciting area of focus for businesses and investors alike. Several key players stood out in the market:
Fanuc, the world's largest industrial robot manufacturer by installed units, had a strong presence in China with expanding operations and a milestone of producing its 500,000th robot.
Yaskawa Electric specialized in factory automation and motion control systems, offering advanced servo motors and IT services.
ABB, the only European company among the top ten robot manufacturers, introduced its IIoT platform, Ability, enabling precise monitoring and control of robots. It also launched the popular YuMi collaborative robot.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, known for motorcycles, expanded its robotics division with the successful duAro collaborative robot and planned to introduce more models.
Denso Robotics, spun off from Toyota, became a major supplier of industrial robots and automotive components, leveraging its expertise in electric devices.
KUKA, after being acquired by Midea, positioned itself to benefit from the growing Chinese and Asian markets, launching new robots for various applications.
Mitsubishi Robotics, though a smaller part of Mitsubishi Electric, was one of the world’s largest producers of industrial robots.
Seiko Epson, originally a watchmaker, entered the robotics market to enhance precision in watchmaking and later became a major global supplier of robots, planning to launch collaborative models.
Stäubli, with roots in textiles, acquired industry pioneers and became a leading automation equipment supplier.
Hon Hai Group (Foxconn) aimed for full automation, with some factories moving toward unmanned operations, especially in electronics manufacturing.
Comau, part of Fiat Chrysler, introduced the largest collaborative robot and made progress in robotics software and IIoT.
Omron Adept, following its acquisition of Adept, developed diverse automation technologies, primarily serving the automotive and medical sectors.
Universal Robots pioneered collaborative robots, making them accessible and safe for use alongside humans without requiring safety barriers.
Rethink Robotics focused on user education and support, aiming to improve adoption of collaborative robots.
Xinsong Siasun, China’s leading robot manufacturer, joined the American Robot Industry Association and planned to expand into elderly care robots.
HIT Robot Group (HRG) produced innovative robots and competed closely with Xinsong, drawing attention for its unique applications.
Doosan Robotics, a South Korean company, introduced collaborative robots designed for ease of use in various industries.
Daming Robot targeted the Japanese market with creative designs and active participation in international fairs, planning to ship over 2,000 robots in 2018.
Hanwha Techwin, a large Korean group, explored robotics for internal use, introducing Korea’s first collaborative robot.
Hyundai Robotics, part of the Hyundai Group, aimed to challenge Japan’s top robot manufacturers, with potential applications in shipbuilding.
Bosch, a European home appliance giant, started to integrate robots into its factories and considered selling high-quality collaborative robots to other companies.
Kawada, a Japanese firm, developed two-armed collaborative and humanoid robots, which found applications across multiple industries.
TALBrabo, part of India’s Tata Group, introduced Brabo, India’s first industrial robot, targeting the automotive sector.
Toshiba Robotics, part of a major Japanese conglomerate, remained a leader in electrical and electronic systems while exploring robotics.
ST Robotics showcased an ultra-fast collaborative robot, challenging the perception that such robots must be slow and safe.
Delta Electronics was active in industrial automation, producing SCARA and articulated robots for vertical applications.
Kinova Robotics, a startup, created lightweight robotic arms for mobility and logistics, securing $25 million in funding for future growth.
Franka, another startup, developed a self-replicating collaborative robot, backed by investments from Kuka and Foxconn.
Mecademic produced small-scale robots suitable for micro-manufacturing, such as watch production.
With these innovations and the growing demand for automation, 2018 marked a pivotal year for the industrial robot industry, setting the stage for even greater advancements in the years to come.
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