Top Robotic Manufacturing Companies 2024

Robotics

26. Feb 2024

Different types of robotics, ranging from autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to artificial intelligence technology, articulated robots and collaborative robots, have made their way into everyday work life. While the demand for automation solutions is increasing and benefits have shown themselves for large manufacturing companies already in terms of productivity and efficiency, industrial robots are becoming more accessible to mid-range and smaller businesses, as well.

Especially for high mix/low volume productions, flexible robotic solutions for different applications have proven valuable tools. This is why ESSERT Robotics is offering modular and highly customizable robotic workstations for industrial automation that are designed to relieve employees from strenuous tasks, while increasing overall productivity.

In this article, we’ll give an overview of the main players in robotic manufacturing in 2024. We will take a closer look at producers specialized in the production of industrial robots, but also cover suppliers of collaborative robots.

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Top 6 industrial robotics companies

The market for robotics is in constant development. While new, promising companies are founded and new solutions come into vision, there are certain key players that have been able to hold their place among the top industrial robotics companies. The following are our top 6 suppliers for industrial robots in 2024.

Other noteworthy mentions that we could not include in the scope of this article are the Japanese companies Epson and Kawasaki, as well as the Zurich based company Stäubli whose main focus lies on mechatronics.

FANUC

The Japan based company produces up to 5000 of their characteristic yellow robots a month with the help of their own automated assembly systems. FANUC offers a range of over 100 different models that are suitable for several industries, the biggest variety of industrial robots to date.

Their robots are intuitive and easy to handle and help companies reach their goals with more efficiency and profitability. Their product range includes welding robots and machine tending robots, computer numerical control (CNC), paint robots, collaborative robots and large size robots.

At ESSERT Robotics, we integrate FANUC robots into our ADVANCED Robotic Workstation. The appropriate robot technologies and sensors are selected and installed in line with the customer’s automation goals. Further, also work with robots from the companies ABB or Stäubli.

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ABB

ABB Ltd, a Swedish-Swiss company with headquarters in Switzerland, is undoubtedly one of the most successful suppliers of industrial robots, equipment, and software solutions. With over 300,000 industrial automation systems installed, ABB dominates the robotics market.
Their robotics products managed to increase efficiency, productivity, and reliability for manufacturers in the automotive industry, electronics, and logistics.

One of their most popular products is the smallest ABB robot, IRB 1200 SafeMove2, with advanced safety control software that allows the operator to restrict the robot to precise movements for a close and safe collaboration. ABB’s automation solutions usually feature a red logo on white ground.

Stäubli

Stäubli International AG, a renowned Swiss company in the field of industrial and mechatronic solutions, is divided into four main divisions: Electrical Connectors, Fluid Connectors, Robotics, and Textile. Particularly in the field of industrial robotics, Stäubli holds a leading position.

Stäubli’s robotics portfolio includes a variety of solutions, including four and six-axis industrial robots, collaborative robots, as well as mobile robots and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). These provide customers in various demanding industries with the opportunity to successfully address the challenges of Industry 4.0. Stäubli’s innovative robots are deployed worldwide to ensure precision, reliability, and performance in sectors such as automotive, electronics, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and many others.

KUKA

When KUKA was founded in 1989, the manufacturer from Germany originally started out by producing acetylene gas. Today, KUKA is one of the most successful robot manufacturers, with a strong focus on industrial robots and factory automation. Since 2016, most of KUKA is owned by the Chinese company Midea Group.

They supply customers from different industries, including automotive, electronics, e-commerce, retail and the healthcare sector.

Mitsubishi Robotics

While Mitsubishi is most famous for its electric products, they also provide high quality, precise robots for different applications. These include material handling, assembly, dispensing and packaging, to just name a few.

Throughout the health care sector, general manufacturing, food beverage and education industry, Mitsubishi robots are valued for improving flexibility, reducing labor costs and improving safety in the workplace. About a third of the Japanese based company’s revenue is made up by industrial automation systems.

Denso

Denso first started to develop their first robots in 1967 and started using them in their own plant in 1970. Today they are one of the most important suppliers of automotive technology in both hardware and software for many big companies like Toyota, Honda or General Motors. In addition to robot arms with a payload capacity up to 20 kg, Denso offers programming software and controllers.

In 2014, they launched the VS series, a series of pharmaceutical robots with a wide range of applications for the healthcare industry. Further, their products are used for aerospace, alternative energy, biomedical, chemicals machine tools, life sciences and semiconductors.

Top 3 cobot manufacturing companies

Cobots, or collaborative robots, are no new addition to the robotics industry, but are becoming continuously more successful as they’re becoming more obtainable to middle-sized and smaller businesses, as well.

While companies like ABB or FANUC from our top 6 list above also offer cobot solutions, there are companies that specialize in the development of innovative collaborative robots. These are our top 3 cobot manufacturing companies 2024:

Universal Robots

Universal Robots has its headquarters in Denmark and was founded in 2005 with the goal to make robotic solutions available to middle and small size businesses. Today they represent state-of-the-art collaborative robots like no other company. While their first collaborative robot was launched in 2008 in form of a robotic arm, that could be operated by workers without safety fencing, Universal Robots has come a long way.

Up to date, their repertoire includes not only robotic systems with payloads up to 16 kg that can be operated easily and without complicated programming, making it more accessible to small-batch producers. They sell globally and have offices all over Europe and America. Due to their great success, they were able to inspire other companies to concentrate on the production of cobots, as well. To provide excellent training for employees, they offer robot training modules for free “to further raise robot-literacy”¹ which are available at the Universal Robots Academy.

Omron

Omron’s headquarters are located in Kyoto, Japan. Following Universal Robot’s example, they have entered the market for industrial automation after taking over the American company Adept in 2015.

When Omron collaborated with the Taiwanese company Techman Robot in 2018, they broadened their scope from robots used in assembly, servo motors, and safety systems to collaborative robots, including SCARA robots, six-axis robots and Delta robots. The main aim of this collaboration is to help meet customer demands in the production of high mix/low volume products by shortening work cycles and making production overall more efficient for manufacturers.

Doosan Robotics

Doosan Robotics, a division of the conglomerate Doosan, stands as a prominent player in the collaborative robotics market, dedicated to enhancing efficiency and productivity for organizations worldwide.

Headquartered in South Korea, the company operates a state-of-the-art R&D center, Innovation Lab, and Prototyping Lab, emphasizing innovation and technological advancement. Doosan Robotics’ cobots are renowned for their versatility, catering to diverse industries such as automotive manufacturing, electronics, pharmaceuticals, logistics, and beyond.

ESSERT Robotics: Efficient robotic automation solutions for low volume productions

While the advantages of automation systems are undeniable for large-scope manufacturing, the initial investment in robotics is in many cases too high to pay out for small to mid-volume manufacturing operations. Nevertheless, the demand for efficient support through automation exists due to a lack of workforce and the need to meet customer requests.

ESSERT Robotics stands as one of the foremost robot integrators in Europe, capable of incorporating a wide range of robots into its automation systems. Our ADVANCED Robotic Workstation is adaptable to specific needs, seamlessly integrating top solutions from the leading global robotics manufacturers mentioned in this article. It is made for easy set-up at the customers facility with plug & produce interfaces.

This modular approach facilitates the combination of multiple ADVANCED Robotic Workstations within an ESSERT MicroFactory, a fully automated and modular production line tailored for small- to mid-volume batch production. Recently, our MicroFactory received the esteemed FANUC Innovation Award, recognizing it as a pioneering Industry 4.0 solution.

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