Bangkok:The rapid growth of robotics and automation technology is reshaping the global economy, with China leading the way as the top user of industrial robots. This shift has been highlighted in an analysis of recent statistics from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), which underscores China’s unprecedented role in this sector due to demographic and economic changes.
According to Thai News Agency, the IFR report reveals that the global number of industrial robots hit a record high, exceeding 5.08 million units last year, marking a 9% increase from the previous year. Asia, particularly China, dominated the installations, with the country alone accounting for 59% of the global total by installing 354,200 new robots. In contrast, Europe experienced a decline, with Germany, Europe's largest user, showing an 8% decrease in new installations.
China’s reliance on industrial robots is driven by a severe labor shortage, despite its large population. The country faces a significant demographic challenge, with deaths surpassing births by over 3 million last year, leading to a shrinking workforce. This situation forces China to employ industrial robots to sustain its manufacturing capabilities, which remain crucial to its economy.
While industrial robots currently dominate, there is an anticipation of a shift towards humanoid robots over the next decade. These robots, integrated with AI, are expected to boost productivity significantly, with projections suggesting up to 1 billion humanoid robots could be operational worldwide, each performing the work of up to five humans.
The rise of robotics poses both challenges and opportunities for the labor market. Routine jobs, especially those paid hourly, are at high risk of automation, while roles requiring creativity and strategic thinking are less vulnerable. This transformation emphasizes the need for workers to adapt by acquiring new skills to complement the advancing technology.