Recent market intelligence from Beroe points out that while robotics are already in widespread use in various manufacturing sectors, their use is increasing more slowly in some areas, including pharmaceutical packaging and manufacturing. According to the firm, both large and small businesses turn to robotics and autonomous mobile robot technology to stem labor shortages, handle quality control, attain consistency, and stay competitive.
Jaya Krishnan J, a senior domain analyst with Beroe, remarked the collaborative robots (or ‘cobots’ market is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 43%, reaching $9.2b by 2025. Collaborative robots are ones that may interact with human staff in a work environment.
“An autonomous mobile robot can grasp its surroundings and navigate through them without the assistance of a human operator; sensors, computers, and maps are used to attain this level of autonomy,” he remarked.
Another potential appeal of cobots in manufacturing environments is the relatively lower level of capital they demand. Also, because they typically do not require alteration to the infrastructure they operate in autonomous mobile robots are less expensive than other types of automation and tend to be scalable, reducing the upfront cost.
However, although robotics technology has progressed, the pharmaceutical sector faces different obstacles than others, including a tougher climate. This may explain the slower rate at which pharma is embracing robotics in packaging and manufacturing than other industries, Beroe reports.
Cobots can be used for packaging, counting, dispensing, inspection, packaging, and others. According to Beroe, they can help ensure consistent outcomes for products, an important consideration in an industry where quality and safety are paramount.
"For industrial facilities to remain relevant and overcome productivity deficits, technology breakthroughs such as cobots and AMRs are critical innovations," Krishnan remarked, "In both research and production, these robots are now mainstream and are expected to operate alongside people. The collaborative robots market is slowly taking over, and this will only deepen in the pharma sector."
