STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Many forecast documents deal exclusively with one kind of robot, either the
type used in industrial processes or the more mobile robots used in specialized
non-industrial applications. This report is unique in that it treats the
robotics industry as a whole. The report's goal is to gain and provide a
commercial understanding of the entire robot industry-through research,
manufacturing processes, distribution, and use-and create more than the usual
snapshot of the commercial realities that only apply to a small portion of this
expansive industry.
OBJECTIVES
- To thoroughly define all sectors of the robot manufacturing industry-from
parts through whole robots-and to present knowledgeable commercial forecasts
for all sectors
- To define current and emerging technologies, adding substance and promise
to robot applications, and to present knowledgeable commercial forecasts for
these technologies
- To show which markets are consuming which technologies, and to determine
if these (or other) markets hold promise for future robot investments
- To provide a strategic understanding of key players in the robot industry
- To present a truly global picture of the robotics industry defined by not
only rigorous statistical understandings of commercial cultures, but also
knowledgeable discourse concerning legal and other nation-specific
environments
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
Very few recent efforts can be noted that attempt to define the realities and
potentials of the robot industry as a whole. This report fills that gap. It
tackles not only the present and future of now ubiquitous industrial robots, but
also the commercial potentials of the more esoteric robots that can walk, talk,
swim, kill, and entertain. The technologies that define both the common and
not-so-common robots are, ultimately, the same. BCC, Inc. has determined it
important and necessary to provide this thorough and all-encompassing look at an
industry that is quickly developing meaningful relationships among its
individual parts. In addition, this study was catalyzed by obvious changes in
certain sectors of the robot industry-changes closely linked to the terrorist
events of 2001. The robotics industry, for the most part, took a nosedive in
2001 along with most other global industries. An important objective for this
report, therefore, is to determine if (and how) the robotics industry can return
to its heyday at the turn of the century, or at least back into solid
profitability.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE STUDY AND FOR WHOM
This study contributes, of course, to the lineage of robotics industry
forecasts provided by BCC. As mentioned, it is a unique contribution in that it
presents a whole picture of a diverse industry. This report, too, introduces
current and new technologies peripheral but essential to the understanding of
the robotics industry. Motion technologies, advances in robotic sensing, and
even on-the-rise manufacturing processes are presented here usefully but
summarily, as they relate to the progress of robotics applications. This report,
then, will provide the reader with valuable touchstones toward deeper
understandings of such technologies and processes. Manufacturers currently
using robots, those toying with the possibility of robotics adoption, and others
thinking of change upgrades to current in-place systems will all benefit from
the insights in this report. In addition, researchers and distributors wondering
where, when, and if robotics activity will take place and continue will find
purposeful and timely information in the forecasts. Consumer organizations
wanting insight as to how and when their constituencies will be affected by the
robotics revolution also will find here valuable information. This report,
then, is valuable for clarifying any possible investment or research interest
pointing in the direction of robotics technologies.
SCOPE AND FORMAT
As mentioned, the scope of this report is all-encompassing in terms of the
treatment given the individual sectors of the robotics industry. The report
deals thoroughly with technology possibilities, technology restraints, emerging
and near-term technologies, national and international issues and regulations,
key companies and organizations, and thoughtful forecasts for technologies,
applications, and industries. The construction of this report presents all
information in a logical format. The first half presents succinct narratives and
general forecasts for major technological and industrial sectors, as well as
global regional robotics interests and possibilities. The second half of the
report divides the general topics discussed into manageable technologies,
processes, and issues given rigorous statistical evaluation and provided solid
commercial projections. In short, technologies and issues are related to robot
types. These types are divided into parts, which are applied to use
applications. These applications are, finally, applied to industrial categories.
INFORMATION SOURCES AND METHODOLOGY
Sources for this report include government publications, refereed journal
articles, survey interviews with pertinent industry members, trade publications,
information from previous forecast reports, and Internet searches. The
methodology for this report includes quantitative procedures based on multiple
linear regression models (for forecasts), as well as the analysis of surveys
gathered from 81 researchers, manufacturers, and distributors of robotics
technologies. These surveys provided valuable insight into the present
conditions and future possibilities of many of the robotics technologies
discussed here. In addition, journal and trade magazines provided
up-to-the-minute understandings of certain advances in robotics pursuits. | 
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