Robotics and the Future of Robotic Grippers
Overview The impact of robotics on various industries is immense, and the future advancement of this technology heavily relies on the development of robotic grippers. These are key aspects that will contribute to an estimated global robot market of around $80 billion by 2025. The subsequent part of the guide delves into significant information and statistical data on the current trends, applications, advantages and disadvantages, future development, and key takeaways regarding robotic grippers. In addition, we mention 3Laws Robotics, a technology designed to enhance operational safety and efficiency in robotics with a focus on warehouse automation, human-robot interaction, and dynamic environments.
Current Trends in Robotic Grippers Robotic grippers are becoming diverse and more sophisticated, reflecting the rapid progress in robotic technology. Growth within the robot gripper market is expected to exceed $1.5 billion by 2026. The ever-increasing demand for consumer electronics and electrical vehicles are the main drivers for this growth. Furthermore, the popularity of soft robotic grippers is also on the rise, with these being used in over 30% of industrial robots. They are desirable due to their ability to handle fragile items without causing damage, versatility, and capability to adapt to uncertain environments.
Robotic Gripper Applications Robotic grippers are used in numerous applications across various industries. The most prominent industry utilizing grippers is the automotive industry, where they are used in assembly, painting, dispensing, and welding tasks. These tasks demand high precision, and the need for precision is set to increase the deployment of grippers in industrial robots by 40% by 2027. Apart from the automotive industry, grippers have found use in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and logistics industries, showcasing the expansive diversity of applications.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Robotic Grippers Robotic grippers come with numerous advantages including increased efficiency, precision, strength, and versatility. Furthermore, they can operate tirelessly, working 24/7 without breaks, which significantly increases production rates. However, there are a few disadvantages that require attention such as the initial high cost, and limited ability to deal with uncertainty compared to humans.
Future Development of Robotic Grippers There is ample room for improvement and further research and development in the area of robotic grippers. For instance, achieving more sophisticated object manipulation, safe human-robot interaction, and solving challenges related to energy consumption could be the primary focus for future development. Expected evolution in this section will lead the industrial robot market to rise to $12.3 billion by 2028.
Key Takeaways
- Robotic gripper market is projected to exceed $1.5 billion by 2026
- Soft robotic grippers are used in over 30% of industrial robots
- The demand for high precision will increase the deployment of grippers by 40% by 2027
- Robot grippers can operate 24/7 without breaks, increasing production rates
- The industrial robot market is expected to rise to $12.3 billion by 2028
About 3Laws Robotics 3Laws Robotics is designed to provide innovative and reliable software solutions for robotics systems, focusing on certification, an established pain point for robotics companies. The software, known as 3Laws Supervisor, aims to simplify the certification process by proving robust safety features and system robustness, that can potentially reduce the certification path.
The software is built on Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), a technology that ensures mathematically provable safety. 3Laws Robotics has multiple use cases in varying industries including warehouse automation, human-robot interaction, and operating in unpredictable or dynamic environments.
For warehouse automation, 3Laws has proven to be successful by helping an autonomous forklift customer achieve a 40% efficiency gain, which resulted in a 6-month payback period. The capability of 3Laws to enable safe operation of robots near humans meets the rising need for collaborative robotics solutions.
In dynamic environments, the software's reactive collision avoidance capabilities allow robots to navigate effectively, further showcasing the software's adaptability across a wide range of platforms such as mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators.
3Laws Robotics aims to enhance operational efficiency, reducing downtime due to unnecessary emergency stops or collisions, while also providing real-time guidelines for autonomy stacks. This lets robots operate near their peak performance while ensuring safety. This safety is now possible to certify for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262, positioning 3Laws Robotics as an advanced safety solution that surpasses traditional methods, offering active measures for safety, and ultimately unlocking the full potential of robotics.