机器人行业10年巨变从协作机器人到具身智能的萌芽、突破和成长——从Automatic慕尼黑10 年看协作机器人到具身智能的发展

Core Viewpoint - The AUTOMATIC exhibition serves as a significant platform for showcasing the evolution and impact of collaborative robots (CoBots) over the past decade, highlighting their transition from niche applications to mainstream industrial tools and their role in fostering embodied intelligence for future robotics [2][3][4]. Group 1: Historical Context and Development - Before 2015, collaborative robots were in a phase of observation and exploration, with initial concepts emerging from the need for flexible automation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) [4][12]. - The demand for collaborative robots arose as SMEs in Europe sought to reduce labor costs and improve production stability without the space or funds for traditional industrial robots [6][7]. - The introduction of Universal Robots (UR) in 2009 marked a pivotal moment, focusing on user-friendly, collaborative solutions that addressed the needs of SMEs [11][12]. Group 2: Standardization and Growth - The lack of unified safety standards was a major barrier to the widespread adoption of collaborative robots, leading to the development of ISO/TS 15066, which provided essential guidelines for safe human-robot interaction [13][15]. - Following the release of ISO/TS 15066 in 2015, the collaborative robot market experienced significant growth, with a compound annual growth rate of 30% to 40% from 2015 to 2020 [16][18]. - The automotive industry was among the first to adopt collaborative robots, utilizing them for tasks requiring close human-robot collaboration [18][19]. Group 3: Technological Advancements - Between 2015 and 2020, collaborative robots evolved from concept validation to scalable applications, with innovations in force control and human-robot interaction becoming more prevalent [22][23]. - The integration of external sensors and improved algorithms enhanced the flexibility and responsiveness of collaborative robots, allowing for semi-automated work units [23][24]. Group 4: Emergence of Embodied Intelligence - Starting in 2020, the collaborative robot industry began to influence the broader ecosystem of intelligent robotics, with advancements in core components like motors and sensors supporting the development of humanoid robots [24][26]. - Companies like Agile Robots and NEURA Robotics have leveraged technologies from collaborative robots to create new humanoid and dual-arm robotic systems [27][28]. - Despite the advancements, traditional robot manufacturers face challenges in integrating AI and data-driven approaches into their products, highlighting a gap in the evolution towards embodied intelligence [29][30]. Group 5: Future Directions - The concept of embodied intelligence emphasizes the integration of AI with robotics, focusing on the ability of robots to interact with the physical world through perception and action [39][40]. - Recent breakthroughs in hardware and algorithms have enabled the practical application of embodied intelligence, with multi-modal sensors and large models enhancing robots' capabilities [43][44]. - The future of embodied intelligence in robotics is promising, with ongoing research and development aimed at achieving autonomous operation and continuous learning in real-world environments [52][56].