Robotics Trends 2024: Navigating the future of the service industry
In the ever-evolving landscape of technological innovations, the pursuit of autonomy and the ability to perform tasks without human intervention define the essence of robots. But what are the key robotics trends for 2024 and how will robots impact the multiservice sector?
According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a "service robot" is one designed for domestic or professional use, executing tasks beneficial to humans or equipment without direct human intervention. This sets the stage for a range of applications, from personal to professional, each catering to specific needs.
However, not all automated entities fall under the category of robots, with distinctions made for software, drones, voice assistants, autonomous vehicles, and more.
According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a "service robot" is one designed for domestic or professional use, executing tasks beneficial to humans or equipment without direct human intervention. This sets the stage for a range of applications, from personal to professional, each catering to specific needs.
However, not all automated entities fall under the category of robots, with distinctions made for software, drones, voice assistants, autonomous vehicles, and more.
A significant growth in the professional service market
The professional service robotics sector has witnessed substantial growth, with a 48% increase in service robots sold in 2022, totalling 158,000 units . Fields such as hospitality, transportation and logistics, and professional cleaning have seen an outstanding rise in robot adoption.
In hospitality, there was a remarkable 125% surge in the use of robots for guest services. Transportation and logistics witnessed a 44% increase in robot utilization, particularly in food delivery and cargo transport. Professional cleaning experienced an 8% rise in robot deployment, mainly for floor cleaning.
However, the healthcare sector saw a 4% decline in robot utilization, covering areas such as surgical and elderly assistance. Overall, the market is anticipated to continue growing at a considerable rate in the coming years (source: IFR)
Shifting towards oligopoly
The market is moving towards oligopoly, with a concentration of production power among a few key players, especially in the professional cleaning industry. This consolidation has been leading to lower production costs, and therefore more affordable robots. However, this also results in the creation of robots with significant similarities and that serve the same purposes. In addition, we do not foresee radical changes on how robots operates, rather incremental improvements in the machines' design, software enhancement and new features.
The professional service robotics sector has witnessed substantial growth, with a 48% increase in service robots sold in 2022, totalling 158,000 units . Fields such as hospitality, transportation and logistics, and professional cleaning have seen an outstanding rise in robot adoption.
In hospitality, there was a remarkable 125% surge in the use of robots for guest services. Transportation and logistics witnessed a 44% increase in robot utilization, particularly in food delivery and cargo transport. Professional cleaning experienced an 8% rise in robot deployment, mainly for floor cleaning.
However, the healthcare sector saw a 4% decline in robot utilization, covering areas such as surgical and elderly assistance. Overall, the market is anticipated to continue growing at a considerable rate in the coming years (source: IFR)
Shifting towards oligopoly
The market is moving towards oligopoly, with a concentration of production power among a few key players, especially in the professional cleaning industry. This consolidation has been leading to lower production costs, and therefore more affordable robots. However, this also results in the creation of robots with significant similarities and that serve the same purposes. In addition, we do not foresee radical changes on how robots operates, rather incremental improvements in the machines' design, software enhancement and new features.
Higher adoption of robots
Service companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises, increasingly recognize the potential of robots when it comes to reducing costs, minimizing waste, and enhancing productivity.
At the same time, automation is driven by the latest shortage of staff. Consequently, we foresee increased adoption rates.
Cobotic Harmony
Cobots have come long way since their inception, and they continue to be among the key robotics trends, but in 2024 we will see a further development of that special synergy between robots and humans. But what are cobots?
They are robots seamlessly integrated with human operators that perform tasks that require precision, agility, and flexibility. The advantage of those robots is that they work alongside humans harmoniously unlocking their true potential.
The applications of cobots are vast, from the manufacturing sector to the service industry. More precisely, in the service industry robots will primarily function as "cobots," collaborating with humans rather than replacing them. For example, while a robot cleans large areas, a human can handle more complex tasks, ensuring a synergistic approach.
Service companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises, increasingly recognize the potential of robots when it comes to reducing costs, minimizing waste, and enhancing productivity.
At the same time, automation is driven by the latest shortage of staff. Consequently, we foresee increased adoption rates.
Cobotic Harmony
Cobots have come long way since their inception, and they continue to be among the key robotics trends, but in 2024 we will see a further development of that special synergy between robots and humans. But what are cobots?
They are robots seamlessly integrated with human operators that perform tasks that require precision, agility, and flexibility. The advantage of those robots is that they work alongside humans harmoniously unlocking their true potential.
The applications of cobots are vast, from the manufacturing sector to the service industry. More precisely, in the service industry robots will primarily function as "cobots," collaborating with humans rather than replacing them. For example, while a robot cleans large areas, a human can handle more complex tasks, ensuring a synergistic approach.
Technical viability and implementation gap
In the race towards widespread automation and robotization, engineers are striving to create robots capable of executing diverse tasks that at the moment are performed by humans. For example, there are now autonomous robots designed to independently clean entire bathrooms. However, challenges arise, with some robots proving impractical due to issues like slowness, high costs, bulkiness, or inefficient performance compared to real workers. So, despite the abundance of new robots, we observe a gap in their technical viability and practical implementation.
More anthropomorphic features and human interaction
Robots are increasingly designed with anthropomorphic features in order to become more 'socially acceptable'. This approach aims at ensuring that robots, far from being perceived as threats, are seen as fellow companions that relieve humans of repetitive and arduous tasks. For example, we come across robots resembling cats in hospital wards or large-eyed robots in a restaurant setting.
Also, significant attention will be directed towards enhancing the interaction between humans and robots in order to create a more positive user experience. For instance, there are more and more robots that have certain custom-made reactions such as robots responding to touch with eye squints or by sticking out their tongue.
In the race towards widespread automation and robotization, engineers are striving to create robots capable of executing diverse tasks that at the moment are performed by humans. For example, there are now autonomous robots designed to independently clean entire bathrooms. However, challenges arise, with some robots proving impractical due to issues like slowness, high costs, bulkiness, or inefficient performance compared to real workers. So, despite the abundance of new robots, we observe a gap in their technical viability and practical implementation.
More anthropomorphic features and human interaction
Robots are increasingly designed with anthropomorphic features in order to become more 'socially acceptable'. This approach aims at ensuring that robots, far from being perceived as threats, are seen as fellow companions that relieve humans of repetitive and arduous tasks. For example, we come across robots resembling cats in hospital wards or large-eyed robots in a restaurant setting.
Also, significant attention will be directed towards enhancing the interaction between humans and robots in order to create a more positive user experience. For instance, there are more and more robots that have certain custom-made reactions such as robots responding to touch with eye squints or by sticking out their tongue.
Overall, as the robotics landscape continues to evolve, the robotics trends outlined highlight both the progress and challenges faced by the service industry in 2024. From market dynamics and development trends to the critical aspect of designing robots for social acceptance, these factors will collectively continue shaping our daily lives.
At Markas, as we navigate the future, we adopt a thorough and strategic approach in order to evaluate and harness the full potential of robotics while taking into account potential concerns and ensuring meaningful human-robot collaboration.
At Markas, as we navigate the future, we adopt a thorough and strategic approach in order to evaluate and harness the full potential of robotics while taking into account potential concerns and ensuring meaningful human-robot collaboration.
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