Robotics
Automation inspiration: Can UK manufacturing raise robotics uptake by learning from Europe?
Despite punching well above our weight as a manufacturing powerhouse, the UK is in danger of slipping down the international rankings unless we increase our levels of automation. Now sitting at 25th in the global robotics league table , we are the only G7 nation outside the top 20 and have been eclipsed by most of our European counterparts in terms of numbers of robots per 10,00 workers, including Italy, Belgium, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Here, factory automation leader FANUC, which has subsidiaries across the world, examines the potential reasons behind the UK’s reluctance to automate – and asks what we can learn from our continental cousins… An improving picture The benefits to UK manufacturing of robotics and automation technology are greater than ever,
helping us to meet net zero targets, boost productivity and underpin our key industries. And with an estimated 70,000 vacancies in manufacturing, robots are also
alleviating the longstanding labour shortages which have only worsened since Brexit and COVID. In regard to automation uptake, it is certainly an improving picture. Led by the automotive sector, UK robot installations were up by 3% in 2022, with operational stock growing by 7%. But at just 98 robots per 10,000 workers we are still well behind European leaders Germany (415).
Machinery & Manufacturing 28
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