Investment Trends: Robotics boom

Global technological advances portend the beginning of the революции Robotics at as automated machines go beyond the plants and become part of our everyday life. In this article, we analyze the financial and social benefits of robotics in the context of the global economy.


In November 2014 the European space probe "Phil" successfully landed on a comet flying at a distance of 483 million km from Earth, as part of an ambitious space project "Rosetta." This historic breakthrough has shown what can be achieved advanced robotics right now, and what to expect in the future.

And in the world of robotics use spread of early engagement in the production of machines to the expanding applications in medicine, education, сельском economy and entertainment . In a world where self-governing cars are no longer the only subject of dreams, the progress of robotics previously thought science fiction, is now becoming real.

Hotel Starwood Hotel in Pato Alto (Calif.) роботы-дворецкие guests bring clean towels, and роботы-пылесосы already managed to fall in love with the whole of Europe, while created at MIT American robot Jibo intended to serve as personal assistant on an economy . He can even distinguish between family members and children to tell the tale. On a more prosaic level of robots to perform hard work make up a large part of the global промышленной labor .





Big business
Robotics has become big business. According to the International Federation of Robotics, продажи Robots reached 178,132 units in 2013 - is a record figure for a single year. Interim results of industrial robots global statistics show that in 2014 they had sold 225,000 units - a 27% more than in 2013, and in the next three years, the federation predicts significant growth. Automotive industry is now the most important customer for the промышленных Robots , and health care is one of the largest potential markets for robotics.

According to forecasts, sales of all types of robots for domestic tasks could reach almost 23, 9 million units by 2017, which will bring 6, 5 billion dollars. And about three million of them will be robots for education and research .

In Japan, industry robotics perceived so serious that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to make the robot core segment economic development. Earlier this year, he announced a new strategy, which by 2020 will triple the market, offering even hold the Olympic Games for the robots.

And these разработчики, like Fanuc, Yaskawa, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Cyberdyne, successfully confirmed the reputation of Japan as the country with the global superiority in the field of commercial and civil robotics.

Abe Confidence in the market is based on the realities of business and export potential. China has become the largest buyer of robots due to increased labor costs and competition from other third world countries, representing a huge potential market.



Improvement of the internal market
Miyuki Kashima, head of the investment department at BNY Mellon Asset Management Japan Limited, believes that Japan has other причины invest in robotics . The economic situation in the so-called lost era of Japanese deflation gives производителям little reason to re-invest in свой Business . This is largely due to the obsolescence of technology and equipment, and they hope that the initiative will help Abe to address this problem.

In a sense, absolutely logical that the Japanese government intends to encourage automation, technology and robotics, "- said Kashima. - Since the demographic indicators suggest that the population continues to age. Many manufacturers are in no hurry to invest in the equipment during a period of deflation, and their infrastructure is in need of modernization. Now, companies are thinking about replacing equipment and the use of automated solutions instead of people.
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China 2014: More than 56,000 new robots em>

The development of robotics can give преимущества investors and increase their profits. Analyst Peter Hensman of Newton tells us about the success of new technology: "Now it is improved very quickly, and robots are becoming more capable and sophisticated. Global positioning systems, advanced sensors and laser guidance to help robots become more safe and reliable. No doubt, Robotics - a key segment of investors' interests ».



Problems of investment
Analyst at The Boston Company Asset Management, David Bohr believes that this segment is still at an early stage of development in the US and Europe. And a correct assessment потенциала for investment can be a daunting task.

Many experts say that the market is not yet entrenched. Some technologies require large investments so that it is difficult to assess their potential, - he said. - Unclear how many companies will need to invest money to become competitive, it creates certain difficulties.
Blockquote> Despite these potential drawbacks, US robot is practical application. Индустрия Automotive continues to be automated , health and применяет robots for improved operations .



Progress
The International Federation of Robotics say that the trend is more and more automation is progressing thanks to the increasing global competition, productivity and quality. Although automation can affect jobs, robots will improve the quality of work, performing dangerous, repetitive and "dirty" tasks.

Robots are becoming more common in our lives, and there are more conversations about how people will interact with the physical comfort, intelligent and responsive engines. The сфере Health such technologies can offer important support and independence for the elderly, but their use remains a sensitive issue.

Hensman believes that much depends on how the robot will change people's perception of when they will become more sophisticated and suitable for use in daily life: "How people will relate to the fact that his doctor - a robot? Probably not with a high sense of comfort. But that may change. Once people unenthusiastically talking about the voice recognition system, but now it is a common thing. Much depends on the perception of these new concepts ».

These and other issues must be taken into account to maintain a good balance between automation and busy people. But almost no one doubts that robots are here to stay and will become more and more advanced. Potential for инвестиций in this segment is not fully disclosed, and constantly open up new prospects for the future progress and improving technology.



Source: geektimes.ru/company/robohunter/blog/252490/