The automation of production is accelerating around the world: 74 robot units per 10,000 employees is the new average of global robot density in the manufacturing industries (2015: 66 units). By regions, the average robot density in Europe is 99 units, in the Americas 84 and in Asia 63 units.

The top 10 most automated countries in the world are: South Korea, Singapore, Germany, Japan, Sweden, Denmark, USA, Italy, Belgium and Taiwan. This is according to the 2017 World Robot Statistics, issued by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

“Robot density is an excellent standard for comparison in order to take into account the differences in the automation degree of the manufacturing industry in various countries,” says Junji Tsuda, President of the International Federation of Robotics. “As a result of the high volume of robot installations in Asia in recent years, the region has the highest growth rate. Between 2010 and 2016, the average annual growth rate of robot density in Asia was 9 percent,in the Americas 7 percent and in Europe 5 percent.”

Asia
The development of robot density in China was the most dynamic in the world. Due to the significant growth of robot installations, particularly between 2013 and 2016, the density rate rose from 25 units in 2013 to 68 units in 2016. Today, China’s robot density ranks 23 worldwide. And the government intends to forge ahead and make it into the world’s top 10 most intensively automated nations by 2020. By then, its robot density is targeted to rise to 150 units.

Furthermore, the aim is to sell a total of 100,000 domestically produced industrial robots by 2020 (2017: 27,000 units from Chinese robot suppliers, 60,000 from foreign robot suppliers).

Worldwide, the Republic of Korea has by far the highest robot density in the manufacturing industry – a position the country has held since 2010. The country’s robot density exceeds the global average by a good eight-fold (631 units). This high growth rate is the result of continued installations of a high volume of robots particularly in the electrical/electronics industry and in the automotive industry.

Singapore follows in second place with a rate of 488 robots per 10,000 employees in 2016.
About 90 percent of robots are installed in the electronics industry in Singapore.

Japan ranked fourth in the world: In 2016, 303 robots were installed per 10,000 employees in the manufacturing industry – following Germany ranking 3rd (309 units). Japan is the world´s predominant industrial robot manufacturer: The production capacity of Japanese suppliers reached 153,000 units in 2016 – the highest level ever recorded. Today, Japan´s manufacturers deliver 52 percent of the global supply.

North America
Robot density in the United States increased significantly to 189 robots in 2016 – the country ranks seventh in the world. Since 2010, the necessary modernization of domestic production facilities has boosted robot sales in the United States. The main driver of this growth was the ongoing trend to automate production in order to strengthen American industries on the global market and to keep manufacturing at home, and in some cases, to bring back manufacturing that had previously been sent overseas. The automotive industry still leads as the main customer of industrial robots with about 52 percent of total sales in 2016. Robot sales in the United States will continue to increase between 2017 and 2020 by at least 15 percent onaverage per year.

Robot density in Canada has been on the rise and reached 145 units in 2016 (ranking 13 worldwide). Growth was mainly driven by installations in the automotive industry.

Mexico is predominantly a production hub for car manufacturers and automotive parts suppliers that export to the United States and increasingly to South America. The automotive industry in Mexico is by far the main robot customer with a share of 81 percent in 2016. Robot density is at 33 units, which is still far below the world average of 74 units, ranking 31st  on the global scale.

Europe
Europe´s most automated country is Germany – ranking 3 rd  worldwide with 309 units. The annual supply and the operational stock of industrial robots in 2016 had a share of 36 percent and 41 percent respectively of total robot sales in Europe. Between 2018 and 2020, the annual supply in Germany will continue to grow by at least 5 percent on average per year due to the increasing demand for robots in the general industry and in the automotive industry.

France has a robot density of 132 units (ranking 18 th  in the world), which is well above the global average of 74 robots – but relatively weak compared to other EU countries. EU members like Sweden (223 units), Denmark (211 units), Italy (185 units) and Spain (160 units) enjoy a much higher degree of automation using industrial robots in the manufacturing segment. But under the new government, France is in the process of regaining competitiveness in its manufacturing sectors. This may, to a certain extent, promote installations of new robots in the next few years. In 2017, the number of robot installations in France is expected to increase by about 10 percent. Between 2018 and 2020, an average annual growth rate between 5 and 10 percent is likely.

As the only G7 country – the UK has a robot density below the world average of 74 units with 71 units, ranking 22nd. The general industry is highly in need of necessary investment in order to modernize and increase productivity. The low robot density rate  is indicative of this fact. Despite the decision to leave the EU, there are currently many suggested investment plans for capacity expansion and modernization of foreign and local automotive companies. It is not evident though whether companies will hold back investments due to uncertainties concerning customs duties.

The eastern European countries Slovenia (137 units, ranking 16th  in the world) and Slovakia (135 units, ranking 17th  worldwide), both have a robot density that is above Switzerland’s (128 units, ranking 19th in the world). The Czech Republic is ranking 20th  on the global scale with 101 units. Robot supplies in the Czech Republic and Slovakia mainly depend on the automotive industry’s demand. Slovenia is the most successful among the Balkan countries with 60 percent of the total robot supply used mainly for the automotive industry (387 units, 33 percent more than in 2015).

Panasonic Transmitirá en Vivo el Desafío del Ascenso Vertical de 1000 m en los Fiordos del Robot EVOLTA

EVOLTA NEO, un robot impulsado por las baterías secas de Panasonic, intentará el desafío del “Ascenso vertical de 1000 m de los Fiordos” el 7 de julio de 2017

Panasonic Corporation enfrentará el 7 de julio de 2017 uno de los desafíos más grandes para su Robot EVOLTA. La empresa presentará una demostración experimental, donde un robot impulsado por baterías secas, “EVOLTA NEO”, intentará un ascenso vertical de 1000 m de los fiordos en Lysefjord, Noruega. Este desafío pondrá a prueba la durabilidad y potencia de las nuevas baterías EVOLTA NEO de Panasonic, presentadas al mercado japonés el 26 de abril de 2017. Panasonic transmitirá el evento completo en vivo para compartir la emoción del desafío con los aficionados de todo el mundo.

Durante el desafío, se tenderá una cuerda desde los escarpados acantilados de los fiordos de Noruega. El robot conocido como Mr. EVOLTA NEO, equipado con dos baterías secas AA de Panasonic (EVOLTA NEO), se enfrentará al desafío de escalar un ascenso vertical de un total de 1000 m. El robot, Mr. EVOLTA NEO, fue diseñado y desarrollado por el creador de Robots, Tomotaka Takahashi. El Sr. Takahashi ha participado del desafío EVOLTA Robot Challenge con Panasonic desde el 2008.

[Video] EVOLTA ROBOT Preparation and training toward the Fjord Climb (Preparación y entrenamiento de ROBOT EVOLTA para el ascenso de los fiordos)

El Sr. Takahashi comenta: “Estoy muy emocionado por el desafío de este año de escalar la pendiente vertical de 1000 m de los fiordos más empinados del mundo. Sé que tendremos que atravesar dificultades si queremos salir triunfantes. Nuestro robot deberá moverse todo el día impulsado solamente por dos baterías secas EVOLTA NEO de Panasonic que son capaces de ofrecer un suministro de energía estable al robot. Hemos subido la apuesta este año, pero estamos ansiosos por enfrentar nuestro más grande desafío, aprovechando y mejorando nuestras experiencias pasadas“.

Este desafío se transmitirá en vivo a través de filmaciones del campamento base y una cámara de 360 grados que seguirá el movimiento en tiempo real del robot. La transmisión comenzará a partir de las 4.30 a. m., hora local (Tiempo universal coordinado [Universal Time Coordinated, UTC]: 3.30 a. m.). La transmisión en vivo se podrá disfrutar a través de los siguientes canales.

Desde el campamento base:
Sitio especial http://panasonic.jp/battery/challenge/2017/live/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/panasonic.avmjapan/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Panasonic_cp

Cámara de 360 grados:
Twitter https://twitter.com/EVOLTA_ROBOT

Resumen del desafío

• Fecha: 7 de julio de 2017
• Inicio del desafío: 5.00 a. m. hora local (UTC 4.00 a. m.)
• Fin del desafío: 4.00 p. m. hora local (UTC 3.00 p. m.)
• Lugar: Lysefjord, Monte Kjerag, Noruega [Google Map: http://bit.ly/2s00wB7]
• Descripción general: Un robot diseñado y desarrollado por Tomotaka Takahashi, impulsado por 2 baterías AA secas, EVOLTA NEO, intentará escalar 1000 m por una cuerda que penderá desde los empinados fiordos.
• Sitio web especial del desafío EVOLTA Challenge: http://panasonic.jp/battery/challenge/2017/ (Japonés)

 
* NOTA: El programa podría modificarse sin notificación previa en función del clima y situación del desafío.

Acerca del robot, Mr. EVOLTA NEO

• Altura: 17 cm
• Peso: 169 g con baterías, 120 g sin baterías
• Ancho: Cabeza – 4 cm, Cuerpo – 3,5 cm, ambos pies juntos – 6 cm
• Impulsado por: 2 baterías AA EVOLTA NEO
• Materiales: Plástico, titanio, carbono

 
Perfil del Sr. Tomotaka Takahashi, creador del robot

• Nacido en 1975 en Kyoto, Japón
• Director ejecutivo de Robo Garage Co., Ltd.
• Profesor asociado de proyectos del Centro de Investigación de Ciencia Avanzada y Tecnología, Universidad de Tokio
• 5 veces ganador de la Robo Cup

 
Anteriores desafíos de EVOLTA
Mayo de 2008: Desafío del Gran Cañón
El robot, “Mr. EVOLTA”, impulsado por baterías secas EVOLTA escaló el escarpado acantilado de 530,4 m en el Gran Cañón en 6 horas, 46 minutos, 31 segundos.

Agosto de 2009: Desafío de resistencia de carrera de 24 horas
El robot, Mr. EVOLTA, impulsado por baterías secas EVOLTA completó exitosamente la carrera de resistencia de 24 horas realizada en un circuito de Francia.
Récord mundial Guinness (*1)
“Mayor distancia cubierta por un automóvil de control remoto impulsado por baterías”.

Septiembre – Noviembre 2010: Desafío de las 53 estaciones de Tokaido
El robot, Mr. EVOLTA, impulsado por baterías secas EVOLTA recorrió 500 km desde Nihonbashi, Tokio hasta Sanjo Ohashi, Kyoto.

Octubre de 2011: Desafío de triatlón
El robot, Mr. EVOLTA, impulsado por baterías secas EVOLTA completó un triatlón (distancia total 230 km: 3,8 km de nado, 180,2 km de bicicleta, 42,2 km de maratón) en 166 horas y 56 minutos.

Diciembre de 2012 a enero de 2013: Resistencia, Desafío Bring in the New Year Challenge
El robot, Mr. EVOLTA, impulsado por baterías secas EVOLTA levantó la barra de pesas sin parar por 14 días, un total de 142 460 veces.

Diciembre de 2013: Desafío de la pista más larga del mundo
El tren bala Akita Bullet Train E6 Super Komachi impulsado por baterías secas EVOLTA recorrió 5,60844 km de Plarails (*2) (creados con 26 667 rieles).
Récord mundial Guinness (*3)
Pista de trenes de juguete más larga del mundo.

Noviembre de 2014: Desafío “Reutilizar una ferrovía no utilizada por un día”
Un vehículo con un peso de aproximadamente 1 tonelada impulsado por baterías secas EVOLTA recorrió aproximadamente 8,5 km.

Noviembre de 2015: Desafío de mayor distancia recorrida del mundo en una ferrovía
Mayor distancia recorrida del mundo por un vehículo en una ferrovía impulsada por baterías secas EVOLTA 600 D (22 615 km, 2 horas, 47 minutos 9 segundos).
Récord mundial Guinness (*4)
Vehículo de más de 700 kg. Largada cuesta arriba. Recorrió más de 20 km con solo baterías secas de venta comercial. No se podía realizar mantenimiento del vehículo durante el desafío.

Noviembre de 2016: Desafío de vuelo tripulado de mayor distancia del mundo
Una aeronave impulsada por baterías secas EVOLTA 640 AA voló 3531 m sobre el Lago Biwa.

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*1: Estableció un nuevo récord el 6 de agosto de 2009 para “Mayor distancia recorrida por un automóvil de control remoto impulsado por baterías”.
*2: (c)TOMY Plarail es marca registrada de TOMY COMPANY, LTD.
*3: Estableció un nuevo récord el 14 de diciembre de 2013 para “Pista para trenes de juguete de plástico más larga del mundo”. Récord de distancia: 5,60844 km. Ha recibido autorización para venta de productos desde East Japan Railway Company.
*4: Estableció un nuevo récord el 3 de noviembre de 2015 como la “Mayor distancia recorrida por un vehículo sobre una ferrovía impulsada por baterías secas”.

Robot powered by Panasonic’s Dry Cell Batteries, EVOLTA NEO, will challenge its “1,000m Fjord Vertical Climb” on July 7th, 2017

Panasonic Corporation is taking on one of the toughest challenges for its EVOLTA Robot on July 7, 2017. The company will be rolling out a demonstration experiment where a robot powered by dry cell batteries, “EVOLTA NEO,” will attempt a 1,000m fjord vertical climb at Lysefjord, Norway. This challenge will test the durability and power of Panasonic’s new EVOLTA NEO batteries which were introduced to the Japanese market on April 26, 2017. Panasonic will live stream this whole event to share the excitement of the challenge with enthusiasts around the world.

During this challenge, a rope will be affixed to the steep cliffs of the fjord in Norway. A robot named Mr. EVOLTA NEO, equipped with Panasonic’s two AA dry cell batteries (EVOLTA NEO), will take on the challenge of a total 1,000m vertical climb. The robot, Mr. EVOLTA NEO, was designed and developed by Robot Creator, Tomotaka Takahashi. Mr. Takahashi has been taking part in EVOLTA Robot Challenge with Panasonic from 2008..

[Video] EVOLTA ROBOT Preparation and training toward the Fjord Climb

Mr. Takahashi comments: “ I am so excited for this year’s challenge on the world’s precipitous 1,000m fjord vertical climb. I am aware that we have to undergo difficulties to succeed. Our robot will be moving all day powered only by Panasonic’s two EVOLTA NEO dry cell batteries that can give a stable power supply to the robot. We have set our bar higher this year, but looking forward to our greatest challenge through leveraging and maximizing our past experiences“.

This challenge will be broadcasted live online with video footage from the base camp and a 360-degrees camera that will track the real-time motion of the robot. The broadcast will be started from 4:30 am Local Time (UTC 3:30 am). The live viewing will be available to watch on the following channels.

From the base camp:
Special Sitehttp://panasonic.jp/battery/challenge/2017/live/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/panasonic.avmjapan/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Panasonic_cp

360-degrees camera:
Twitter https://twitter.com/EVOLTA_ROBOT

Overview of the challenge

• Date: July 7, 2017
• Challenge Start: 5:00 am Local Time (UTC 4:00 am)
• Challenge End: 4:00 pm Local Time (UTC 3:00 pm)
• Place: Lysefjord, Kjerag Mountain, Norway [Google Map: http://bit.ly/2s00wB7]
• Overview: A robot designed and developed by Tomotaka Takahashi powered by 2 AA dry cell batteries, EVOLTA NEO, will attempt to climb 1,000m up a rope hanging from the steep fjord.
• EVOLTA Challenge Special Website: http://panasonic.jp/battery/challenge/2017/ (Japanese)

* NOTE: Schedule may be changed without notice depending on weather and situation of the challenge.

About the robot, Mr. EVOLTA NEO

• Height: 17cm
• Weight: 169g with batteries, 120g without batteries
• Width: Head – 4cm, Body – 3.5cm, Both feet together – 6cm
• Powered by: 2 AA EVOLTA NEO batteries
• Materials: Plastic, titanium, Carbon

Profile of Mr. Tomotaka Takahashi, Robot Creator

• Born 1975 in Kyoto, Japan
• CEO of Robo Garage Co., Ltd.
• Project Associate Professor of Research Center for Advance Science and Technology, University of Tokyo
• 5-time winner of the Robo Cup

Past challenges by EVOLTA
May 2008: Grand Canyon Challenge
The robot, “Mr. EVOLTA”, powered by EVOLTA dry cell batteries climbed the steep 530.4m cliff of the Grand Canyon in 6 hours 46 minutes 31 seconds.

August 2009: 24-hour Endurance Race Challenge
The robot, Mr. EVOLTA, powered by EVOLTA dry cell batteries successfully completed the 24-hour endurance race held at a circuit in France.
Guinness World Record (*1)
“The longest distance covered by a battery operated remote-controlled model car.”

September – November 2010: Tokaido 53 Stations Challenge
The robot, Mr. EVOLTA, powered by EVOLTA dry cell batteries traveled approximately 500km from Nihonbashi, Tokyo to Sanjo Ohashi, Kyoto.

October 2011: Triathlon Challenge
The robot, Mr. EVOLTA, powered by EVOLTA dry cell batteries completed a triathlon (total distance 230km: 3.8km swim, 180.2km bike, 42.2km run) in 166 hours 56 minutes.

December 2012 to January 2013: Endurance, Bring in the New Year Challenge
The robot, Mr. EVOLTA, powered by EVOLTA dry cell batteries raised the barbell non stop, for 14 days, a total of 142,460 times.

December 2013: World’s Longest Track Challenge
Akita Bullet Train E6 Super Komachi powered by EVOLTA dry cell batteries covered 5.60844km of Plarails (*2) (created with 26,667 rails).
Guinness World Record (*3)
Longest toy train track.

November 2014: Bring Back a Disused Railroad for a Day Challenge
A vehicle weighing a total of approximately 1 ton powered by EVOLTA dry cell batteries traveled approximately 8.5km.

November 2015: World’s Longest Distance Traveled on a Train Track Challenge
Longest distance traveled by a vehicle on a railway track powered by 600 D EVOLTA dry cell batteries (22.615km, 2 hours 47 minutes 9 seconds).
Guinness World Record (*4)
Vehicle weighed more than 700kg. Uphill start. Traveled over 20km with only commercially available dry cell batteries. During the challenge no maintenance could be provided to the vehicle.

November 2016: World’s Longest Distance Manned Flight Challenge
An aircraft powered by 640 EVOLTA AA dry cell batteries flew 3,531m over Lake Biwa.

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*1: Set a new record on August 6, 2009 for the “Longest distance covered by a battery-operated remote-controlled model car”.
*2: (c)TOMY Plarail is the registered trademark of TOMY COMPANY, LTD.
*3: Set a new record on December 14, 2013 as the “Longest plastic toy train track.” Record distance: 5.60844km. Have received consent to merchandise from East Japan Railway Company.
*4: Set a new record on November 3, 2015 as the “Longest distance traveled by a vehicle on a railway track powered by dry cell batteries.”