We are at the beginning of a decade of change, not only in automation of manufacturing, but also in many professional services. Change is being driven by labor shortages due to demographic shifts, as well as geopolitical tensions, supply chain uncertainties and growing demands for sustainable development. Against this backdrop, companies are investing heavily in automation to maintain productivity and competitiveness, increase resilience and flexibility, or simply to keep pace with rising demand.

2021 was a special year for the robotics industry: installations of industrial robots reached a new record high. For the first time ever, the number of new installations surpassed the 500,000-unit mark. Round about 517,000 units mark a new all-time high with a plus of 31%, exceeding the previous record level of 2018.

To read the full article in the EMO Future Insight series, visit: Robot installations soar