Robotics and Automation

Extracted Attributes

• Benefits

  Streamlines workflows, reduces operational costs, minimizes manual effort, boosts productivity, creates stable supply chains, frees human workers for strategic tasks

• Mechanism

  Software robots or AI agents observe user actions and repeat tasks directly in the GUI

• Key Concept

  Cheap AI Drives Cheap Autonomy

• Applications

  Business process automation, automated food preparation, autonomous vehicles, manufacturing, inventory management, order processing, data entry

• Primary Function

  Automating tasks by mimicking human interactions with graphical user interfaces (GUI)

• Similar Technologies

  GUI testing tools

• Limitations/Challenges

  Progress constrained by electricity grid capacity, high implementation costs, lack of internal knowledge/expertise

• Data Handling Capability

  Manages data in and between multiple applications (e.g., email to bookkeeping system)

• Market Trend (2022 Survey)

  Automated systems to account for 25% of capital spending over the next five years

• Projected Market Revenue (US, 2024)

  $784.6 billion

• Distinction from Traditional Automation

  Does not rely on APIs or scripting; operates at the GUI level

Timeline

• McKinsey Global Industrial Robotics Survey conducted, indicating companies' plans for significant capital spending on automated systems. (Source: web_search_results)

  2022-08

• United States projected to generate the highest revenue in the global robotics market, reaching $784.6 billion. (Source: web_search_results)

  2024

• US Government, National Science Foundation (NSF), and ARM Institute actively incentivize worker upskilling and fund research to advance robotics and automation technologies. (Source: web_search_results)

  Ongoing

• Advancements in robotics and automation, driven by 'cheap AI', are expected to reshape cities by reducing the need for urban parking. (Source: related_documents)

  Future

Robotic process automation

Robotic process automation (RPA) is a form of business process automation that is based on software robots (bots) or artificial intelligence (AI) agents. RPA should not be confused with artificial intelligence as it is based on automation technology following a predefined workflow. It is sometimes referred to as software robotics (not to be confused with robot software). In traditional workflow automation tools, a software developer produces a list of actions to automate a task and interface to the back end system using internal application programming interfaces (APIs) or dedicated scripting language. In contrast, RPA systems develop the action list by watching the user perform that task in the application's graphical user interface (GUI) and then perform the automation by repeating those tasks directly in the GUI. This can lower the barrier to the use of automation in products that might not otherwise feature APIs for this purpose. RPA tools have strong technical similarities to graphical user interface testing tools. These tools also automate interactions with the GUI, and often do so by repeating a set of demonstration actions performed by a user. RPA tools differ from such systems in that they allow data to be handled in and between multiple applications, for instance, receiving email containing an invoice, extracting the data, and then typing that into a bookkeeping system.

Web Search Results

• The Role of Robotics in Manufacturing | UTI

  Robotics and automation go hand-in-hand. Without robotics, automation opportunities would be limited. Without automation, robots would have little value. Automation uses technology to make processes run automatically, with little to no human intervention, minimizing manual effort. There are four different types of automation: ## Robotics in Manufacturing History [...] ### Robotic process automation Robotic process automation is software that helps robots automate repetitive and rule-based tasks, streamlining workflows and reducing operational costs. Robotic process automation in manufacturing can be applied to inventory management, order processing and data entry, freeing human workers to focus on more strategic and creative activities. ## FAQs ### How do robots impact job opportunities in the manufacturing industry? [...] Our 51-week Robotics & Automation Technician program teaches students electrical, mechanical and programming skills valuable to the ever-evolving manufacturing sector. Our robotics and automation classes prepare students for this high-tech industry, and graduates can return for no-cost refresher courses.39 Ready to invest in yourself? REQUEST MORE INFO

• Unlocking the industrial potential of robotics and automation

  Across the industrial world, companies are betting big on robotics and automation. For many, automated systems will account for 25 percent of capital spending over the next five years, results from the 2022 McKinsey Global Industrial Robotics Survey show.1The online survey was conducted in August 2022 and garnered responses from 65 senior leaders and executives in the automotive; food and beverage; life sciences, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals; logistics and fulfillment; and retail and [...] To offer the right service at the right time in the right way is a big ask for robotics and automation providers. However, given the need for industrial companies to boost productivity, create stable supply chains, and find an alternative to the overheated labor market, the effort is likely to be justified by the reward. The providers that effectively help companies realize benefits from robotics and automation and scale the technologies across markets are likely to emerge with strong revenues [...] The challenges that industries face present robotics and automation providers with a significant opportunity to help build the capabilities required to automate at scale or provide support for this effort. However, those vendors will need to provide convincing answers to the questions raised by their customers and work hard to differentiate themselves from their competitors.

• Industrial robotics: Past, present, and future - Autodesk

  Automation and robotics allow manufacturers to operate more efficiently—and make it easier for them to identify and test new processes and components. The automation digital technology offers is making waves at every stage of manufacturing. Just one example is rapid prototyping, enabled by generative design and additive manufacturing, a methodology just as applicable to startup and SMB operations as it is to global-scale manufacturing multinationals.

• Top 5 Robot Trends 2024 - International Federation of Robotics

  “The five mutually reinforcing automation trends in 2024 show that robotics is a multidisciplinary field where technologies are converging to create intelligent solutions for a wide range of tasks,” says Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics. “These advances continue to shape the merging industrial and service robotics sectors and the future of work.” Press contact ------------- PRESS OFFICER International Federation of Robotics Carsten Heer

• The Robotics Trends to Watch in 2025 - Duro Labs

  The robotics market involves the design, development, manufacturing, and deployment of robots—machines programmed to perform tasks autonomously or with minimal human intervention. In 2024, the United States was tipped to generate the highest revenue in the world at $784.6 billion, the main contributor being high customer demand for automation solutions. This surge is due to robots’ ability to automate tasks that are too dangerous, expensive, or monotonous for humans. [...] High implementation costs and a lack of internal knowledge are major roadblocks to growth, especially for smaller robotics companies. The price of robots and automation systems, including setup and upkeep, can be astronomical, especially when the return on investment isn’t immediately clear. Many businesses lack in-house expertise to properly set up and manage these complex systems, potentially leading to costly errors and inefficient operations. [...] The government is also actively incentivizing workers’ upskilling to manage robotic systems. National Science Foundation (NSF) programs, such as Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and Foundational Research in Robotics (FRR), are funding research to advance robotics and automation technologies. The ARM Institute’s Apprenticeship Program focuses on training workers for careers in advanced robotics and manufacturing.