FEATURE Industry 4.0
2022 – The year of automation
What does 2022 hold for our industry, asks Dr Paul Rivers, CEO of Guidance Automation Y
ear 2021 was one of change, struggle and innovation, with UK businesses becoming less risk-averse,
more technologically savvy and better equipped to survive the uncertainties of 2022.
Guidance Automation’s industry survey found that 73% of respondents believed automation to be critical to business moving forward. Automation is beginning to reach the boardroom table, with industry bosses now embracing automation, having realised its benefi ts and potential. Market research fi rm Forrester summarises that those who fully embrace automation will “obliterate – not merely beat – the competition”. In recognition of this new automation technology providers, whether in the RPA, BPA or AI space, are vying to create a unifi ed, enterprise-wide platform that combines technology, robots, data and processes taking the global, industrial automation market to the next level. This is not surprising, considering its market value of $207bn in 2022, according to Statista, with the UK taking a $2bn share. The logistics industry, in particular, has been predicted to be the fastest growing sector for Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) in 2022. Common drivers for this are rising costs and the acute labour shortages – there are 2.5 million logistics roles in the UK, many of which remain unfi lled. Wages are therefore driven up
26 June 2022 | Automation
and accompanied by the need for fl exible manufacturing in line with market conditions. Research by Interact Analysis shows
that robotics and software products accounted for 51% of all new product launches in 2021, with picking robots predicted to have an annual growth rate of 90% by 2025. This is not surprising considering the continued pressure on supply chains to guarantee next-or same- day delivery in response to a sharp shift towards e-commerce over the past 18 months.
Addressing the work force deficit The worker shortages we are currently experiencing will be here for a while yet, with many industry critics believing it will actually get worse before it improves. Service-led roles and manual roles, including warehouse jobs, will be harder to fi ll due to their physically-demanding nature and lower wages, leading to many companies investing in automation to address this. It is expected that at least 35% of service companies will introduce physical robot workers, altering the manual worker landscape forever. This advanced hybrid workforce model will get the best out of the human-robot relationship, using resources more effi ciently, speeding up workfl ows whilst reducing human error. The most advanced robot workers – referred to as “cobots” – work in partnership with humans, often within a shared space.
Increased demand for commercial premises
Although the home-working model is here to stay, many industries including manufacturing and logistics require employees to work from a central location. This will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on workspace design with future layouts being considerably different from pre-pandemic formats. This in turn will inevitably impact the demand for commercial premises and drive up prices. The jury is still out on what this new format will look like but, undoubtedly, it will continue to evolve over the next five years as we learn to work within a changeable environment. And, as we are entering a new era, one that is irreversible, we are set on a path of automation to not only protect ourselves from continued adversity but also because it makes sound business sense.
Although there are many hurdles ahead, businesses can be confident they can endure another pandemic with structure and defence. But, what of those that are reticent to join the journey towards automation? Well, if Forrester is right, they will fall behind whilst those adopting new advancements will thrive.
CONTACT:
Guidance Automation
www.guidanceautomation.com
automationmagazine.co.uk
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