SURVEY REVEALS THE OBSTACLES to robotic advancement

摘要

As ABB explain, the advance of UK manufacturing is being hampered by a lingering reluctance to invest in robotic automation. A recent survey of UK manufacturers carried out on behalf of ABB Robotics has revealed that concerns over cost of ownership and lack of experience in implementing and using robots are preventing many companies from investing in robotic automation. The survey received responses from 221 companies of all sizes, including SMEs. Of these, 134 are not currently using robots, with 65 ruling out introducing a robot in the near future. When asked to specify their reasons, 21 cited cost of purchase and ownership and 38 gave lack of experience as major reasons for shying away from investing in robotic automation. "The survey reveals the need for more to be done to educate UK manufacturers both about the case for investing in robots and the help available in the market to enable them to get the most from their investment," commented Mike Wilson, general industry sales and marketing manager for ABB's UK Robotics business. "Despite significant falls in the cost of robots and robot systems - in recent years, there is a lingering misconception that robotic automation is prohibitively expensive for UK companies, particularly in the SME sector.