Industrial robots in Singapore grew by CAGR of 20% from 2010 to 2015

SINGAPORE — Between 2010 and 2015, the number of industrial robots in Singapore grew by a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20 per cent, outstripping the global CAGR of 16 per cent indicated by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), said Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran. His remarks were made at the opening of the International Conference on Robotics and Automation held by the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers on Tuesday (May 30).

By 2019, IFR estimates that 1.4 million industrial robots will be installed in factories around the world. Citing a Merrill Lynch report, Mr Iswaran said the robotics and Artificial Intelligence industry is projected to grow to US$150 billion (S$208 billion) by 2020 from US$28 billion in 2015. In the next 10 years, the proportion of the world’s manufacturing tasks that are automated is set to expand to 45 per cent from the current 10 per cent.

Singapore is well-placed to drive growth in the adoption and development of robotics and automation solutions, noted Mr Iswaran. Government initiatives such as the National Robotics Programme bring together public agencies and companies to develop a vibrant robotics and automation ecosystem.

For instance, the state Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s (A*Star) Industrial Robotics Programme works with the robotics research community from the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore University of Technology and Design, and A*Star research institutes to advance robotics solutions for industry partners, including Sembcorp Marine and Spiral Marine.

To drive innovation among small and medium enterprises (SME) and start-ups, trade agency Spring Singapore will partner government agencies to remove obstacles faced by SMEs and start-ups in securing procurement contracts.

JTC has launched its third open innovation call to invite proposals in robotics and automation with the potential to improve safety, security, facilities management and industrial goods movements.