The application of industrial robots in manufacturing facilities has been growing rapidly over the last few years. You can program them to meet the industry-specific needs. Robots have helped companies boost productivity at a low cost by improving reliability, precision, output, and flexibility. They can be seen performing a wide range of activities with precision in large manufacturing facilities. Here we take a look at the top 10 largest industrial robot manufacturers in the world.
Ranked: The leading industrial robot manufacturers
The life span of an industrial robot is typically between 12 and 16 years, allowing them to work continuously for years while maintaining the high manufacturing quality standards. According to Market Research Reports, the global industrial robotics market is estimated to grow to $42.29 billion in terms of robot machines and $138 billion in terms of robot systems by 2026.
China is by far the world’s largest market for industrial robots. But it’s the European and Japanese companies that manufacture most of the industrial robots. The ranking below is based on data from Market Research Reports.
10- Omron Adept Technology
Adept is a California-based industrial automation and robotics company. It was acquired by Japan’s Omron in 2015. It made its first robot AdeptOne SCARA in 1984. Some of its most popular products are Adept Python linear-module robots, Adept Viper Six-Axis articulated robots, and Cobra Scara robots. It makes industrial robots for various industries such as electronics, packaged goods, and life sciences.
9- Comau
Headquartered in Turin, Italy, Comau is part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Its robots are used for material removal, welding, assembly, material handling, foundry, and advanced processes. It made the first laser robot for General Motors more than 30 years ago. It has 15 manufacturing plants and five innovation centers around the world.
8- Nachi-Fujikoshi Corporation
Nachi-Fujikoshi is a leading Japanese maker of industrial robots and machining tools. Its robots are mainly used for welding, sealing, foundry, forging, material handling, assembly, and packaging. Nachi-Fujikoshi recently launched the MZ12 robot, which has become popular in the electronics sector.
7- Staubli
Founded in 1892, Staubli is a Swiss mechatronics company that specializes in connectors, robotics, and textile. In 1989, it acquired the US robotics company Unimation. It makes SCARA and six-axis robots for industrial automation. Staubli also has a new range of collaborative robots. It has been investing heavily in the robotics software business.
6- Epson Robots
Epson Robots is the robotics design and manufacturing arm of Japan’s Seiko Epson. It makes more than 300 different models of robots. It offers four different lines of SCARA robots including T-series, G-series, RS-series, and LS-series.
5- Kawasaki Robotics
Kawasaki Robotics is part of Japanese conglomerate Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The company makes robots and automation systems for different industries including life sciences, aerospace, automobiles, electronics, food & beverage, plastics, metal manufacturing, and semiconductor. DuAro, the company’s dual-arm SCARA robot that works alongside humans, is particularly popular among industrial manufacturers.
4- FANUC Corporation
Japan-based FANUC is a leading manufacturer of arc welding robots, paint robots, palletizing robots, collaborative robots, and mini robots. The company is also investing heavily to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its industrial robots. FANUC also offers application software and tracking features.
3- Midea Group (KUKA)
Germany-based KUKA is one of the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturers. In 2016, Chinese giant Midea Group acquired KUKA in a $5 billion deal. Its robots and automation systems are used to manufacture automobiles and other goods. It offers six-axis robots in different sizes, lightweight robots, heat and dirt resistant robots, palletizing robots, and shelf-mounted robots.
2- Yaskawa Electric Corporation
Headquartered in Japan, Yaskawa launched its first all-electric industrial robot Motoman in 1977, which is widely used in factories for welding, packaging, assembly, dispensing, material handling, spot welding, coating, and general automation. It has sold more than 400,000 Motoman robots since then. The company has a presence in more than 29 countries.
1- ABB Group
The Swiss-Swedish industrial conglomerate is the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer. ABB developed the world’s first industrial paint robot and the first all-electric microprocessor-controlled robot more than fifty years ago. ABB provides solutions for smart machinery and flexible manufacturing. ABB’s robotics division posted revenues of $9.1 billion in 2019.
