Advances in Industrial Robotics: From Industry 3.0 Automation to Industry 4.0 Collaboration

In this paper we present recent advances, current and future market trends in industrial robotics. Artificial Intelligence has evolved as the main feature to characterize Industry 4.0, Next-generation robotics utilize this feature to perform tasks collaboratively, as opposed to the currently deployed industrial robots, which were designed mainly for automation, isolated in cages, and highly-controlled environments. Current data show that China takes the lead in the industrial robotics market with 48% of the top-ten market in 2019. The electronics sector took the lead in robot-deployment in East Asia, and is continuously increasing in deploying industrial robotics in other parts of the world. Studies on the challenges associated with this technology, show that the main concern is the lack of trained labor to handle the technologies in next generation industrial robotics.