Robotics: Leading Technology Companies in the World
Robotics has a long history, but only recently have conditions aligned to unlock its full potential. Robotics is a fast-growing industry. Automation is key to improving productivity. As countries and companies attempt to recover from the pandemic, interest in robotics will increase. Industrial robots will function as a growth driver as innovation in the segment will spill over to other areas. ABB Ltd (ABB) is one of the leading companies making its mark in the robotics sector. ABB offers products, systems, solutions, and services related to electrification, automation and robotics, and digitization for harnessing power reliability, increasing industrial productivity, and enhancing energy efficiency. It serves customers in the utilities, industry, and transport & infrastructure sectors. ABB operates its business through four segments: Electrification, Process Automation, Motion, Robotics & Discrete Automation. It had over 400 consolidated subsidiaries at the end of FY2021. The company has production and development facilities in the US, Germany, Czech Republic, China, Finland, Sweden, Italy, Austria, Canada, Switzerland, Poland, and India; and office buildings, research centers, and warehouses in 100 countries. Cognex Corp (Cognex) is another leading company making its mark in the robotics sector. Cognex is one of the key players in the fast-growing machine vision market. Its products are used in automated manufacturing, warehousing, and robotics to inspect and identify parts, detect defects, and verify product assembly. They range from mobile scanners, laser profilers, and smart 3D cameras to image analysis software. The company has gained traction in China, especially in co-bots requiring 3D camera-based vision systems. It has also seen rapid growth in warehouse inventory profiling and management applications globally. Cognex serves automation, consumer electronics, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and medical, logistics, life sciences, and semiconductor industries. The company markets and sells its products through integration and distribution partners. Cognex is headquartered in Natick, Massachusetts, the US.