The robotics market - Italy (2023)

1.1 Definition and presentation

The robotics market is very diverse, but can be divided into two major areas: service robots and industrial robots. A service robot is a robot that can make decisions and act autonomously in real and unpredictable environments to complete tasks; they bypass manufacturing processes and are able to make decisions and act autonomously in real and unpredictable environments. Industrial robots, which are composed of several subgroups, may comprise robotic arms used in manufacturing applications in an industrial environment. Traditional industrial robots are characterized by a variety of factors, including type of motion (degrees of freedom), application (manufacturing process), architecture (serial or parallel), and brand. Then there is a new classification for collaborative or noncollaborative industrial robots.

The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period 2023-2027. The robotics market in 2022 observed a growth spike of nearly 18 percent over 2021, reaching 30.66 billion.

According to the International Federation of Robotics (FIR), Italy occupied the sixth place in 2021 for largest number of industrial robotics installations in the world. China takes the first place with 268 thousand new industrial robots installed in 2021 alone.In 2020, the total number of Italian companies in the robotics and automation sector was 691, 25 percent more than 20 years earlier.

In Italy, the highest revenue sector isservice robotics, where robots find application in the commercial services industry (agricultural, logistics, medical and other services) and consumer services. Logistics service robotics has been the sub-segment most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Blockades disrupted supply chains, causing long lines of container ships, freight trains and trucks. To reduce their expenses, many logistics companies suspended the expansion of automation, causing revenues to drop. However, as of 2023, all segments of the market are expected to recover.

The robotics market will continue to grow in the future due to the development of the Internet of Things, 5G, artificial intelligence and other trends that will drive positive revenue growth rates.