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Japanese producers are chargeable for 40% of robotic gross sales world wide. To grasp the worldwide robotics market, a glance inside Japan is indispensable. iREX, which claims to be the world’s largest robotics present, is an effective way to do exactly that.
iREX 2023 was packed. There have been 654 exhibitors, making it the biggest present since its inception. The primary three days alone attracted 120,000 guests to Tokyo—3 times greater than Automatica in Munich and even 4 instances greater than Automate in Detroit.
After an absence of 4 years, I attended the present final week. Listed here are my observations.
1. Extra cobots with value-added functions
Collaborative robots (cobots) took on an much more distinguished position this time. Yamaha launched a seven-axis cobot. Common Robots launched its new UR30 some large-load cobots on the present. FANUC and DENSO positioned some merchandise from the identical class, which had already been launched earlier this yr, prominently.
FANUC, DENSO, and UR offered some attention-grabbing demos of excessive drive torque tightening, precision meeting, sharpening, and screw seating inspection – functions that require clever use of built-in energy sensors. FANUC additionally highlighted its easy direct-teaching capabilities for welding, powder coating or with payloads as much as 30 kg (66.1 lb.).
The truth that a number of giant producers gave cobots such a distinguished presence highlights the strategic significance they’re now giving this product class.
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2. ‘Zero train’ robotics
Machine imaginative and prescient mixed with automated path era acquired a lift since my final go to. “Zero train” is the brand new buzzword.
Conventional functions are random half choosing and straightforward palletizing. This has been proven by a mess of robotics producers, in addition to machine imaginative and prescient corporations which are additionally providing robotic movement management – similar to Mujin from Japan or Mech-Thoughts from China. The previous additionally offered its TruckBot, an autonomous robotic that may unload each truck trailers and transport containers at a charge of as much as 1,000 circumstances per hour.
FANUC confirmed auto path era for arc welding. Each FANUC and Yaskawa confirmed zero-programming options for simple palletizing. Beneath the identify “Motoman Subsequent,” Yaskawa offered some functions for verticals similar to dishwashing, meals inspection and sorting, and laboratories.
At this level, these are extra demonstrations of what can technically be completed, as Yaskawa is simply beginning to supply these options to prospects.
NACHI and OMRON confirmed corresponding functions for the dynamic placement of FPC connectors in digital merchandise. They claimed {that a} barely totally different model was already utilized in electronics manufacturing.
DENSO offered some spectacular functions of its real-time management software program, TwinCAT, realized in collaboration with Beckhoff; a voice-controlled cobot utility; and a few clear or shiny workpiece choosing in collaboration with Cambrian.
Extra machine imaginative and prescient together with automated and dynamic path planning additionally means good enterprise prospects for NVIDIA, which was additionally an exhibitor and entertains partnerships with a number of of the main Japanese robotic producers.
3. Variable-mix, variable-volume automated strains
The cubicles of OMRON and Yaskawa featured variable-mix, variable-volume automated strains. These strains showcased cellular cobots and layout-free manufacturing, enabling adaptability within the manufacturing surroundings and on-site knowledge administration for steady productiveness and high quality enchancment.
Yaskawa is utilizing its I3-Mechatronics platform for this, a promising method after Japanese automation suppliers got here to embrace the idea of interconnected manufacturing processes comparatively late. Yaskawa’s new YRM-X controller controls a number of machines alongside an entire line.
4. Excessive-payload robots
Like in different international locations, Japanese robotics corporations have a legacy within the automotive trade. That is nonetheless mirrored within the introduction of some high-payload robots. FANUC launched a brand new serial hyperlink robotic with a 500 kg (1,102.3 lb.) payload, overflip functionality, and built-in 2D and 3D cameras. Goal functions is the dealing with of heavy automotive elements.
Yaskawa offered the Motoman-ME1000, a SCARA robotic with a payload of 1,000 kg (2,204.6 lb.) tailor-made for the dealing with of electrical automobile batteries.
5. Robust presence of Chinese language gamers
Fifty out of the 121 worldwide exhibitors had been from China. They had been primarily producers of cobots (AUBO Robotics, Elite Robots), cellular robots, machine imaginative and prescient (Mech-Thoughts Robotics) and core elements.
As a big market with shut geographic proximity, Japan is a chance for Chinese language gamers to mitigate the cut-throat competitors at residence.
6. Japanese robotics corporations collaborate on SME automation
Possibly crucial information for the Japanese robotics trade today got here a day earlier than the beginning of iREX 2023. The Robotic Industrial Primary Expertise Collaborative Innovation Partnership (ROBOCIP), a bunch together with main Japanese robotics and automation corporations, introduced that it’s making a joint database to facilitate the introduction of robots at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
In response to a white paper by the Japanese authorities, SMEs are chargeable for 99.7% of Japanese corporations, but the value-added per employee for the nation’s SMEs in manufacturing is simply over one-third of that for its massive companies. On the similar time, SMEs usually lack the funds for capital funding.
The brand new system is meant to hurry up the automation of this sector by sharing some fundamental info on robotic specs, operations and software program. It’s set to be out there in 2024 and is meant to cut back integration prices by as much as 60%. Entry shall be free for smaller corporations at first.
Along with robotics producers similar to FANUC, DENSO, Panasonic, Yaskawa, NACHI, Kawasaki, Epson, Daihen and Mitsubishi, the initiative is supported by the College of Tokyo, the Nationwide Institute of Superior Industrial Science and Expertise and the New Vitality and Industrial Expertise Improvement Group. This system is open for additional contributors to extend the completeness of the database and finally the competitiveness of the Japanese manufacturing sector.
Sooner or later, the group is contemplating combining generative synthetic intelligence with its database to additional decrease the brink for automation. The same method by Google Deepmind and 33 analysis establishments lately has proven some promising outcomes.
This announcement was in keeping with the theme of this yr’s present — “Sustainable Society Introduced by Robotics” — emphasizing options to international challenges and the creation of a sustainable society by collaborative efforts between producers, system integrators and customers.
Outlook from iREX is constructive
Initiatives to spice up productiveness by extra automation are urgently wanted in Japan. The nation’s economic system has been stagnating for 3 a long time, and its post-pandemic restoration stays fragile.
A shrinking inhabitants additional limits the upsides to its progress. Regardless of Japan’s distinctive cultural traits, similar to its method to immigration, its developments can function a mannequin for different international locations dealing with getting old populations.
I noticed a excessive stage of innovation at iREX, with concerted efforts by Japan’s main robotics and automation producers. They included a joint database to share info as tips on how to function and modify robots (probably enhanced by generative AI). They supply an optimistic outlook for the long run.
As corporations are re-evaluating their geopolitical dangers and are shifting a few of their provide chains, Japanese manufacturing unit automation corporations stand to learn.
Company tradition in Japan appears to be altering, too. Company governance reforms are pressuring administration groups to boost company worth and return on fairness. The typical age of CEOs at corporations within the Nikkei inventory index has dropped by 12 years over the previous decade.
Whereas Japan’s startup ecosystem continues to be small relative to its GDP, it’s changing into more and more vibrant. Investments grew tenfold from 2013 to 2022, and the variety of VC funds quadrupled.
Notions of those adjustments are already changing into seen at Japanese robotics and automation enterprises. Overseas corporations talked about that they’re changing into extra open to collaboration with a brand new management era. I’m already excited for the following iREX in two years.
In regards to the writer
Georg Stieler is managing director, Asia, of Stieler Expertise & Advertising Consultants. He established the Asia department of his household’s consulting enterprise in Shanghai in 2011. Collectively together with his crew, Stieler gives pivotal analyses and progress methods for a few of the globally main robotics and automation corporations. Along with his major position, Georg serves as an advisor for high-potential start-ups.