Economic Consideration of the Robotics Industry During Recession

Here's a rundown of the most expensive robots currently in use all over the industrial world.

• Sophisticated industrial robots manufactured by FUMAC costs $60, 000. They can carry a 100 pound load and can function 24 hours a day for several years doing repetitive task continuously. Take note that the programming of these robots would cost another $60,000 dollars. FUMAC robots are called six cylinder robots as it can counter gravity to pull up its springs to carry heavy loads. These robots have been used for welding, lifting and painting.

• The American manufacturing company called Adept Technology manufactures the world’s most common industrial robot called the SCARA. The robot is connected by three horizontal joints which gives it the versatility as a pick and place robot.

• Another robot called the Ivybot robot is programmed to analyze market trends and can actually do the trading for their owners using four currency at once. The Ivybot can provide monetary returns and minimal drawdown rate, what is surprising is that the entire system only costs $149

• Surgical robots are common in the health arena today and they cost over a million dollars. The robotic arms are used in complicated surgery but these are remotely controlled by the surgeon. With a camera mounted above, the surgeon can see the operation as magnified in a computer screen. Today, researchers are trying to develop an alternative machine that costs only ¼ its original price.

Industry Survival

How can the costly robotic industry thrive in recession? The Robotics Industries Association announced that members have had a good year despite conservative consumer spending last year. RIA advises continued marketing strategies to advertise their member's product and offer support and free consultation.

In the personal services aspect, NextGen Research expects an increase of robotic units from 9 million to 25 million in the next 6 years. It is forecasted to be a $15 billion industry in the next 6 years. This however is for functional robots that can perform multiple household tasks at the same time.

Robotoys however is on the verge of wipeout and Ugobe, the makers of Pleo (the robo dinosaur) filed for bankruptcy after a low turn over of revenue during the spring holiday shopping of 2009. WowWee - the telepresence robot (a moving webcam) did well however at $300 per robot.

The next decade robots who are expected to be top sellers are those which allow people to travel at the same time keep tabs at home. Those robots in the healthcare industry that can provide assistance to the disabled and the elderly are also growing in demand.

Japan’s response to recession

In Japan however, robots are being abandoned on the side. As consumers hold off spending on gadgets and cars, the demand for robots has been declining. Take the case of Roborior, which is a house sitter robot. It has been ignored by the public despite the number of usable features such as real time imaging and sensors to detect unusual activity in the house. GP