The number of industrial robot units in Russia increased by 42% to 1,007 units in 2018, Vedomosti reported on Thursday citing data by the International Federation of Robotechnics (IFR).
However, the market remains negligible with five robots per 10,000 employees versus a global average of 99. In terms of sales of industrial robots, Russia was 27th globally, with Singapore being the leader (831 per 10,000) followed by China, Japan, the U.S., South Korea, and Germany.
Most of the robots in Russia are installed in the carmaking plants with 39% of sales of 390 units in 2018 (up from 262 in 2017), Vedomosti wrote. Another 16% of industrial robots were acquired by the heavy machinery sector. Only 4% of all robots installed in Russia are being domestically produced.
The growth in demand for automotive robotics in 2018 is associated not only with the economic situation, says Olga Uskova, president of Cognitive Technologies. The carmaking industry is undergoing changes and is heading for automation and the introduction of artificial intelligence.
“Now there is a global change in the lineup,” Uskova explained. “Robocars are gradually replacing familiar cars.”
On average, one robot for palletizing products costs about $65,000, and a robot-based palletizing system costs at least 180,000, says Alexander Belousov, founder of Yukam Group, a robotics company.
“For small and medium-sized enterprises this can be expensive, but large companies – Econiva, Rolton or Danon – are willing to introduce such systems,” he says. “With a competent approach, the costs pay off in two to three years.”
