Aerospace Robotics Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Application (Material Handling, Surface Treatment, Composites Applications, Assembly, and Others), By Robot Type (Articulated, Linear, Parallel, SCARA, and Others), By Technology (Conventional, Collaborative), By Solution (Hardware, Software, and Services), Payload (Small - Medium Payloads Robots, and Others), and Regional Forecasts, 2020-2027

The global aerospace robotics market size was valued at USD 2.66 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 7.78 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 20.49% during the forecast period.

Robots are machines that improve the performance of several operations in the aerospace sector, starting from the manufacturing of the components to the supply of finished goods to the end-user. The rising implementation of the internet of things (IoT) in robotics has increased in recent years. IoT in aircraft component manufacturing has changed the prospect towards robotics as they assist in reducing the overall labor costs and in improving product quality and precision in the manufacturing of critical aircraft components. Robots have features such as high precision, reliability, faster-operating processes, and cost-effectiveness. Aircraft manufacturers are facing challenges related to huge aircraft backlogs and scheduled aircraft deliveries. Automation with the help of robots will help to reduce the turn-around time of the manufacturing process and thus help to meet the deliveries of the aircraft to the respective airlines.

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Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Manufacturing of Aircraft Components

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the dynamics of the market for the upcoming years as demand for new aircraft has declined since the coronavirus outbreak. To overcome this pandemic OEMs in the aviation industry are focusing on factors such as

• The governments of countries planning to redesign the supply chain management by considering the aspect of pandemic into account.


• Aircraft OEMs are looking forward to streamlining their operational processes and focusing on inventory management to overcome the impact of the coronavirus on commercial aviation businesses.


• The machine operators need to follow social distancing and other safety norms while working in the manufacturing industry. This also has changed the scenario of the market for aerospace robotics in the positive aspect as the primary focus of the companies is workforce safety. Thus, this will increase the demand for the use of robots in the manufacturing process as robots are the best substitutes for workers on the shop floor. Thus, this factor it is expected that the growth of the aerospace robots market will surge post-2020.

LATEST TRENDS

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Surging use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Robotics Systems in Aerospace Industry is a Prominent Trend

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in aircraft maintenance has led to a decrease in aircraft maintenance cycles and aircraft failures. It can predict any maintenance failures on aircraft before any mishap occurs. Smart AI-based solutions for aircraft based on data from different types of sensors are being implemented by companies such as Airbus SAS. The company focuses on AI-based robots for applications such as autonomous machining, decision-making, collaborative robots (cobot) technology, and others. The aircraft manufacturers prefer cost-effective and faster robots in the manufacturing of the next-generation aircraft and maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. The concept of smart robots is an upcoming trend as robots are linked with AI and IoT based systems.

North America Aerospace Robotics Market Size, 2016-2027 (USD billion)

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Investment in Aerospace Robotics to Boost Growth

Many countries, such as the U.S., France, China, South Korea, Germany, and Japan, have been investing heavily in the R&D of AI-enabled robots. For instance, in 2017, the South Korean government announced an investment of USD 450 million for the robotics sector. The focus of this investment was directed toward R&D centers to develop an intelligent robot.

The European Union-funded over USD 110.6 million between 2010 to 2016 under the information and communication technologies (ICT) research framework program, as well as under the Active and Assisted Living (AAL) joint program. Such financial assistance from the governments of various countries across the globe helped the companies in the market carry out R&D activities, thereby driving the growth of the aerospace robotics market.

Rising Demand for Collaborative Robots across Aerospace Industry will Favor Growth

The implementation of robotics simplifies and optimizes the operational process in the manufacturing industry. However, the operational process of conventional robots encompasses risks related to the safety of workers working near the robots. For example, if a robot is performing the task of the packaging of finished goods, then simultaneously, the worker was not able to engage in post packaging tasks. Thus, the augmentation of collaborative robots helps to manufacture goods that could work in synergy with the workers on the shop floor. Hence, collaborative robots were introduced. They are safer, simple to program, and integrate with the other machines.

The growing demand for aircraft components is facilitating suppliers to implement collaborative robots in the manufacturing process to produce quality aircraft parts and systems with less turnaround time. Moreover, a change in the manufacturing process safety norms posts the COVID-19 pandemic will boost the growth of the market.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Initial Cost of Deployment, Especially for SMEs to Hinder Growth

Automation of robots, specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is challenging. High initial capital expenditure is required. Moreover, training for the workforce needs to be given for the programming and maintenance of the robots. The SMEs use robots for specific applications such as packaging, welding, assembly, and others. However, a change in the product specification may further lead to a change in the robots’ operations. Thus, customization is needed, and this incurs an additional cost in the robot. Thus, these factors may hinder the growth of this market.

SEGMENTATION

By Application Analysis

Rising Demand for Manufacturing of Aircraft Frame and Engine Components to Drive Composites Application Segment

Based on application, the aerospace robotics market is segmented into material handling, surface treatment, composites applications, assembly, and others. The composites application segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period, owing to a rise in the demand for composites based components in the aerospace industry such as advanced engine turbine blades and aircraft frame structure. Moreover, there is a high demand for carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) applications.

The material handling segment includes press unloading, handling, foundry, forging, and others. Similarly, the surface treatment segment comprises painting, laser treatment, cleaning, high-pressure water jet washing, and others. The assembly segment includes drilling, welding, eddy-current inspection, and others. This segment is expected to hold the largest market share in 2019 due to the wide usage of robots for drilling, welding, and painting applications in aircraft manufacturing.

By Robot Type Analysis

Liner/Cartesian Segment to be the Largest Backed by Usage of These Robots for Various Applications

Based on the robot type, the market is divided into selective compliance assembly robot arm (SCARA) robots, linear/Cartesian robots, articulated robots, parallel robots, and others. The linear robot segment is anticipated to hold the largest aerospace robotics market share in 2019. It is owing to the major use of linear robots in the assembly, painting, machining, and packaging applications. The SCARA robot segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period as it comprises advanced technology to perform various activities in the manufacturing sector effectively.

By Technology Analysis

Collaborative Technology Segment the Fastest-Growing Stoked by Their Several Advantages

Based on technology, the market for aerospace robotics is bifurcated into conventional technology and collaborative technology. In 2019, the conventional technology segment was estimated to be a larger segment in the market. The collaborative technology segment is projected to be a faster-growing segment during the forecast period owing to the advantages of collaborative robots such as lightweight, flexibility, reliability, and the capacity of the machine to optimize low-weight collaborative operational processes such as placing, picking, testing, and measuring.

By Solution Analysis

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Project Management and Safety Robot Software to Propel the Growth of the Software Market

Based on the solution, the market is segmented into hardware, software, and services. Amongst these, the hardware segment held the largest market share in 2019. Owing to the rising demand for the controller, arm processor, sensors, and drive for the technologically advanced robots. The aerospace robotics software segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period, due to the technological advancement in the planning, safety, and project engineering software. In the case of the services segment, the repair and maintenance of robots are considered.

By Payload Analysis

Small-Medium Payload Robots Segment To Dominate The Market

Based on payload, the market is segmented into small-medium payloads robots (2 kg to 100 kg), large payloads robots (100 kg to 200 kg), and extra-large payloads robots (200 kg to 1,500 kg). Amongst these, the small-medium payloads robots segment held the largest market share in 2019 and is also expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. A rise in the demand for these robots for the assembly of systems and components of the aircraft would augment the growth of this segment. Moreover, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also prefer robots for lifting weights 2 kg to 100 kg for various manufacturing applications.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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As per our research, North America is estimated to hold the largest share of USD 1.01 billion in 2019 and is also expected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period. The U.S. has significantly increased its spending on modernizing its aircraft manufacturing units in recent years. In addition to this, the presence of key manufacturers such as Kawasaki Robotics and Electro impact Inc. is driving the market growth in the U.S. Moreover, and the government authorities are focusing on investing in advanced technology robots in the upcoming years.

Europe is predicted to play a vital role in the growth of the market for aerospace robotics owing to the wide level of the adoption of IoT based systems and robots in the aerospace industry. The region held the second-largest market share in 2019 owing to the high investment in the upgrading of conventional robots with technologically advanced systems smart robots. This will boost the growth of the market in Europe.

Asia Pacific is estimated to hold the third-largest share in 2019 and is also expected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period. The region is expected to showcase strong growth in the market during the forecast period owing to the significant rise in the demand for advanced robots from countries such as China, Singapore, and India. The region is anticipated to exhibit long-term growth in this market.

Furthermore, the market in the rest of the world and the Middle East and Africa are anticipated to increase at a significant CAGR, owing to the rising number of suppliers and distributors of smart robot systems in these regions.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Established key Players and Start-Ups to Advance the Global Market

The key market players are involved in designing and developing robots with the incorporation of advanced technological systems. Companies are looking forward to developing technologically, advanced, cost-effective robots. These companies are adopting geographic expansion strategies to establish their strong presence in the market.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• ABB Group (Switzerland)


• Electroimpact Inc. (The U.S.)


• Fanuc Corporation (Japan)


• Gudel AG (Switzerland)


• Kawasaki Robotics (The U.S.)


• KUKA AG (Germany)


• Oliver Crispin Robotics Ltd. (The U.K)


• TAL Manufacturing Solutions Limited India (India)


• Universal Robotics A/S (Denmark)


• Yaskawa Electric Corporation (Japan)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• In July2021, Fanuc Corporation announced that it has started the production of 750,000th industrial robot, representing a record high point in the robotics industry. FANUC Corporation’s customer base covers a wide range of industries including automotive, aerospace, food and beverage, consumer goods, medical and pharmaceutical, warehousing, and many more.


• In June 2021, Nexter group and other manufacturers invited by the GICAT a pioneer in the French defence and security innovation ecosystem will exhibit their solutions and products alongside the capabilities already in service with the French Army. The Army arranged this meeting to propose the VULCAIN project, a strategic vision of robotics for the years 2035-2040.


• In March 2021, Ericsson-controlled 5G releases Spot the robot for Airport Terminal review. The robot was associated with TDC NET's Ericsson-controlled 5G. The 5G use-case trial was a partnership with the Danish Technological Institute.


• In January 2021, At Delhi Airport, Air India Express has begun using robotic technology to clean and sanitize aircraft interiors. To implement the technology in India, the airline has partnered with AISATS, a ground handling firm. Air India Express is a totally owned subsidiary of Air India, India's flag carrier.

REPORT COVERAGE

The aerospace robotics market research report includes and covers a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, robots portfolio, and leading applications of the robots. Besides this, the research report offers insights into the market trends and highlights key aerospace industry developments. Moreover, to the factors mentioned above, the report comprises of several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market over recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation