Robotic components revenue to hit $2.4 billion in 2016

ABI Research projects robotic components revenue will be more than 10 percent of the $22 billion robotics market in 2016. The estimate has revenue components reaching $2.36 billion this year.

As would be expected, ABI sees parts used on various kinds of robots, including wheels, microcontrollers and batteries, will see high unit shipping volumes. Personal robots are responsible for 97 percent of unit shipments, according to the ABI report, but commercial robots such as those for military, industrial and medical use account for 12 times more revenue.

Rapid growth in the robotics industry is not a sure thing, with ABI pointing to global economic instability as a factor that could impact the market. Still, some companies envision a robot in every home. Robotics Business Review cites SoftBank’s Pepper as an example. Pepper is partially owned by Foxconn, which bought 20 percent in SoftBank’s robotics division last year. Both companies are working to popularize Pepper by selling it below cost.

RBR said simply opening up Pepper is enough to make someone realize “robots are an expensive undertaking to build.” The machine has more than 1,500 parts, and its internal components include 20 motors in the arms, neck, hips, knee and wheels. RBR noted that the motors and sensors that enable Pepper’s sophisticated movements come from around the world, including Japan, the US, Switzerland and Austria. Given the interest from Foxconn, it seems China and Taiwan are ready to be part of the supply chain, too.

China has been working to grow its robotics industry. A number of manufacturers now offer similar interactive robots that are either humanoid in form or use LCD screens in place of a face to display expressions. One such robot, the Xibot from Shenzhen Xiaoxi Technology, was featured at the Mobile Electronics show in Hong Kong this month.