Robots in the food industry

• Robots in restaurants

2020: Global Robot Market Exceeds $2 Billion

On June 2, 2022, ResearchAndMarkets analysts published a study according to which the global robotics market for the food industry at the end of 2020 was estimated at $2.05 billion. The cost of such equipment will grow by about 10.4% per year and reach $5.79 billion by 2031, experts predict.

According to them, increasing demand for increased productivity contributes to the introduction of robots to automate tasks, as a result of which robots become an integral part of various industries. Demand for packaged food is expected to grow at a moderate pace during the forecast period. This is expected to lead to an increase in demand for food robotics in the near future. In addition, it is expected that a sharp increase in safety rules and regulations in the food industry will contribute to the growth of demand for robotics during the analyzed period.

The global market for robots for food production exceeded $2 billion

The following companies are named as the market leaders in robots for the food industry:

• Mitsubishi Electric
• ABB
• Rockwell Automation
• Kawasaki Heavy Industries
• Kuka
• Fanuc
• Yaskawa Electric
• SeikoEpson
• Staubli International
• Universal Robotics

The food and beverage sector uses automated technology for packaging and palletizing to reduce costs, save time and ensure higher product quality. This technology improves storage capacity and vertical space efficiency. Automation in manufacturing plants and warehouses has become popular for loading/unloading, sorting, palletizing and shipping tasks, which has led to improved supply chain efficiency in the food industry and the production of natural products. Robotic systems help reduce the burden on employees by working collaboratively to improve efficiency. In addition, with the rise of strict occupational safety regulations, companies are now using robotic systems to operate in dangerous and harmful conditions.

Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on producing high-performance, low-cost robots to reduce operational complexity in the food industry, according to the report. The introduction of robotics in industry has led to cost savings, as machines can operate around the clock without interruption and do not experience fatigue unlike human workers. In addition, robots can be deployed in places with specific and limited space and still remain accurate, consistent and lift heavy loads without receiving damage. Thus, the need for robots compared to stationary automation makes them a cost-effective solution, thereby contributing to the growth of the global market.^[1]

Notes