In early April 2011, Leon Panetta, then serving as head of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, met with Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, his counterpart at Pakistan’s intelligence service.  A decade earlier, Pasha’s complaint would have sounded like science fiction.  He warned Panetta that America was killing too many Pakistanis with flying robots.  It is doubtful that Pasha used the term flying robots to refer to the armed Predator unmanned aerial vehicles that U.S. forces routinely used to hunt Al-Qaeda fighters.  It is even more unlikely that Panetta revealed that the Predators were not the only type of flying robots operating in Pakistani airspace.  About the time of their meeting, possibly during the meeting itself, a Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel was circling in the vicinity of Abbottabad, adjacent to Pakistan’s equivalent of the U.S. Army’s West Point Military Academy.  Nicknamed the Beast of Kandahar, the Sentinel’s quarry was Al-Qaeda’s illusive and soon-to-be executed leader Osama Bin Laden, the master mind of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States that ignited the free world’s war on terrorism.

The success of flying robots-the Pentagon favors the term unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)- is the most visible part of the larger story regarding the sudden appearance of robots away from the factory floor.  The goal of this study is to examine and provide a comprehensive dollar-value forecast for the robotics industry as it moves aggressively forward into the second decade of the 21st century.

The objective of this study is twofold: First, it will focus on key developments in robotics that have occurred since 2009, when analysts published the most recent study of the robotics industry.  Second, it will present 2011-2016 forecasts for the industry on a global, regional, and industry-segmented basis.  To that end, this study presents market demand forecasts for the:

• Four regional markets that account for the sale of virtually all robots
• Six types of robots
• 16 industries that are most reliant on robots
• 26 end-user applications or tasks that robots perform
• Four categories of robot-related products

In addition to forecasts presented as easy-to-comprehend tables, this study includes chapters devoted to recent developments in basic and advanced robotic technologies, information about key industry participants, and a patent analysis.

REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY

In the previous edition of Robotics: Technologies and Global Markets published in April 2009, the project analyst noted that internal and external circumstances had created a technological and business climate in which the robotics industry would see enormous change.  He observed, “An industry that was once grounded in a handful of highly specialized types of industrial and space robots has expanded to include new, commercially viable types of domestic and professional service robots, as well as military and security robots.”

The degree to which robots have become a part of daily life was underscored for viewers of the BBC America nightly news broadcast that aired several days after the U.S.-Pakistani diplomatic dispute over Predator attacks.  During the first half of the television broadcast, the time slot in which news directors place the day’s most important stories, viewers saw robots once again capturing headlines.  One story reported how the U.S. had sent Predators to help Libyan revolutionaries.  Another story announced that a debris-crawling robot was obtaining radiation measurements from inside Japan’s tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station.  The third story recounted how a submarine robot would be dropped 13,000 feet into the Atlantic Ocean to recover the flight recorder from an airliner that had crashed two years earlier, killing its 228 passengers and crew.  For those knowledgeable about the robotics industry, the television broadcast was another reminder of just how rapidly the robotic business was changing.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

The 2011 edition of Robotics: Technologies and Global Markets provides a current assessment of the state-of-the-art in the global robotics industry, focusing on changes since the 2009 edition of this study.

The information on recent developments in robotic technology and the market-specific product demand forecasts will be especially useful for senior executive and government policymakers involved with the following industries:

• Aerospace
• Agriculture
• Automotive manufacturing
• Chemical and fuel processing
• Commercial building maintenance
• Construction
• Consumer products manufacturing
• Defense-related governmental activities
• Education and research
• Electronics manufacturing
• Food processing
• Home care
• Medicine and surgery
• Non-defense governmental activities
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Textile and clothing manufacturing

SCOPE AND FORMAT

Robotics: Technologies and Global Markets provides both a review of recent key developments in robotics and a comprehensive set of 2011 to 2016 market demand forecasts presented as easy-to-comprehend tables.  The study is divided into 18 chapters containing 128 tables, the bulk of which present forecasts.

Chapters One and Two are the Introduction and Summary of the report.

Chapter Three offers a broad-stroke review of the history and current state of the robotics industry.  It emphasizes key developments that mark the evolution of robots and explains why and how they have collectively come to be identified as a distinct class of machine, separate from automated machine tools with which they have much in common.

Chapter Four reviews the six basic types of robots: industrial, domestic service, professional service, security, space, and military robots.

Chapter Five describes the basic technology and components (e.g., power supplies, end effectors) that are required on all types of robots.  Topics have been updated to reflect research completed or undertaken since April 2009

Chapter Six focuses on advanced technologies and components, such as vision and collision avoidance systems that enable robots to work in close proximity to humans and in unstructured and mobile environments.  As with the previous chapter, topics have been updated to reflect research completed or undertaken since April 2009.

Chapter Seven steps away from the technological aspects of robotics and focuses on the broader economic, national policy, and industrial development issues that support, and in some cases, impede the adoption of robotic technology.  

Chapter Eight introduces the six types of robots that dominate the industry:

• Domestic service robots
• Professional service robots
• Military robots
• Security robots,
• Industrial robots
• Space robots

Chapter Nine examines the demand for robots in the four major marketing regions:

• The North American Free Trade Zone (i.e., Canada, Mexico, the U.S.)
• The 27-nation European Union trade zone
• The Asian region, which is comprised of the major Pacific Rim countries
• Other markets

Chapters Ten to Fifteen separately address technical issues and present 2011–2016 forecasts for each of the six types of robots introduced in Chapter 5.  Each chapter contains a table listing the key industry and academic participants.

Chapter Sixteen shifts the analysis to robotic applications, meaning the 26 most commonly performed tasks assigned to iron-collar workers.  

Chapter Seventeen highlights the organizations that have had the greatest influence on the robotics business, as well as those that have also positioned themselves to guide the industry as it continues to rapidly evolve.  Background information is provided on what analysts consider to be the most influential members of the robotics community.

Chapter Eighteen offers a developmental perspective of the robotics industry, as documented by its patent history.  This chapter has been updated to identify more than 630 new robot-related patents issued since publication of the previous edition of this study in April 2009.  Abstracts are provided for key U.S. patents issued from 1976 through April 2011.  The chapter concludes with a chronological list of key patents issued from the early 1970s onward.

ROBOTS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS INDUSTRY

This study excludes software applications known as Internet robots, automated machine tools, and machines that provide “intelligent assistance,” including medical devices and active prosthetics.  Mechatronics, a newly emerging field discussed in the 2009 edition of this study, has expanded into a technological field distinct from robotics, and for this reason, it is omitted from this edition.  Robot kits for hobbyists have also been omitted.  Finally, because this study focuses exclusively on the product level, it omits robot-related engineering and systems integration services.

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

•  The global demand for robots and robot-related products was worth around $21 billion in 2010. The market is expected to grow to nearly $22 billion in 2011 and $30 billion by 2016, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% between 2011 and 2016.
• The Asian market will show the largest growth over the forecast period. This sector is valued at nearly $7 billion in 2011 and is expected to increase at a 7.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to reach nearly $11 billion in 2016.
• The North American market is estimated to reach nearly $5 billion in 2011 and is expected to increase at a 2.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to reach nearly $6 billion in 2016.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION  
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES . 1
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY  2
INTENDED AUDIENCE  2
SCOPE AND FORMAT  3
ROBOTS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS STUDY  4
INFORMATION SOURCES AND METHODOLOGY . 5
ANALYST CREDENTIALS  5
DISCLAIMER . 6

CHAPTER TWO: SUMMARY  
SUMMARY TABLE GLOBAL DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY REGION,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  7
SUMMARY FIGURE DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, 2009-2016 ($ MILLIONS)  8

CHAPTER THREE: ROBOTS: UNIQUE MACHINES
POPULAR VIEWS OF ROBOTS  9
PROFESSIONAL VIEWS OF ROBOTS  10
DISTINCTION BETWEEN AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS . 11
IMPORTANCE OF A HARMONIZED DEFINITION . 12
IMPORTANCE OF A HARMONIZED … (CONTINUED) . 13
TABLE 1 COUNTRIES INVOLVED IN ISO ROBOTICS STANDARDS* . 14
MARKET SEGMENTATION USED IN THIS STUDY  14
SEGMENTATION BY REGION  15
NORTH AMERICAN REGION . 15
TABLE 2 NORTH AMERICAN REGION . 15
EUROPEAN UNION . 15
TABLE 3 EUROPEAN UNION REGION . 16
ASIA  16
TABLE 4 ASIAN REGION  16
OTHER MARKETS  16
TABLE 5 OTHER MARKETS . 17
SEGMENTATION BY ROBOT TYPE . 17
SEGMENTATION BY ROBOTIC PRODUCT . 17
SEGMENTATION BY ROBOTIC PRODUCT (CONTINUED) . 18
TABLE 6 ROBOT NAICS CODES  19
SEGMENTATION BY END-USER INDUSTRY . 19
SEGMENTATION BY END-USER APPLICATION . 20

CHAPTER FOUR: SIX BASIC TYPES OF ROBOTS
SIX BASIC TYPES OF ROBOTS . 21
SIX TYPES OF ROBOTS FORECAST IN THIS STUDY . 22
BCC FORECASTS ROBOTS TO BECOME A $30 BILLION
BUSINESS . 23
TABLE 7 FORECAST GLOBAL VALUE OF THE ROBOTIC MARKET,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  24

CHAPTER FIVE: BASIC ROBOT ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES
ACTUATION . 25
CALIBRATION . 25
COGNITION . 26
CONFIGURATION . 26
CONFIGURATION (CONTINUED)  27
CONTROL . 28
DEPENDABILITY  29
END EFFECTORS, GRIPPERS, AND DEXTEROUS HANDS  30
LEARNING . 31
MANIPULATION . 31
MANIPULATION (CONTINUED)  32
MATERIALS . 33
MISSIONS, TASKS, AND PROCESSES . 34
MOTION CONTROL  34
POWER MANAGEMENT. 35
ROBOT–ROBOT INTERACTION  36
ROBOT–ROBOT INTERACTION (CONTINUED)  37
ROBUSTNESS  38
SENSING AND SENSORS  38
STANDARDIZATION . 39

CHAPTER SIX: ADVANCED ROBOT ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES
ADAPTATION . 40
AUTONOMY . 41
COLLISION AVOIDANCE . 42
HUMAN–ROBOT INTERACTION  43
HUMAN–ROBOT INTERACTION (CONTINUED) . 44
HUMAN–ROBOT INTERACTION (CONTINUED) . 45
HUMAN–ROBOT INTERACTION (CONTINUED) . 46
HUMAN–ROBOT INTERACTION (CONTINUED) . 47
KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS  48
LIGHT DETECTION AND RANGING  49
LOCALIZATION . 50
LOCOMOTION . 51
LOCOMOTION (CONTINUED)  52
NAVIGATION . 53
NAVIGATION (CONTINUED)  54
PERCEPTION . 55
SAFETY . 55
SENSOR FUSION  56
SWARMS AND NETWORKS . 56
SWARMS AND NETWORKS (CONTINUED) . 57
SWARMS AND NETWORKS (CONTINUED) . 58
TELEPRESENCE AND TELEROBOTICS . 59
VISION  59
VISION (CONTINUED) . 60
VISION (CONTINUED) . 61

CHAPTER SEVEN: ECONOMIC FACTORS DRIVING ROBOT DEMAND  
ECONOMIC FACTORS DRIVING ROBOT DEMAND  62
ECONOMIC FACTORS DRIVING ROBOT … (CONTINUED)  63
ECONOMIC FACTORS DRIVING ROBOT … (CONTINUED)  64
EFFECT OF THE JOBLESS RECOVERY  65
EUROPE COORDINATES ROBOTIC RESEARCH . 65
EUROPE COORDINATES ROBOTIC … (CONTINUED) . 66
TABLE 8 EUROPEAN ROBOTICS ORGANIZATIONS . 67
TABLE 9 EURON PARTICIPANTS . 68
TABLE 9 (CONTINUED)  69
TABLE 9 (CONTINUED)  70
TABLE 9 (CONTINUED)  71
TABLE 9 (CONTINUED)  72
TABLE 9 (CONTINUED)  73
CARE ACTIVITIES EXPAND TO HUMAN-ROBOT INTERACTIONS  73
JAPAN’S ROBOTIC INITIATIVES . 74
TABLE 10 JAPAN’S DOMESTIC SERVICE ROBOT INITIATIVE . 75
CHINA–TAIWAN SEEKS A LEADERSHIP POSITION  75
CHINA–TAIWAN SEEKS A LEADERSHIP POSITION
(CONTINUED)  76

CHAPTER EIGHT: GLOBAL AND REGIONAL DEMAND FOR ROBOTS
TABLE 11 GLOBAL DEMAND BY ROBOT TYPE, THROUGH 2016
(PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  77
TABLE 12 GLOBAL DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY INDUSTRY,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  78
TABLE 13 GLOBAL DEMAND FOR ROBOTS BY APPLICATION,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  78
TABLE 13 (CONTINUED)  79
TABLE 14 GLOBAL DEMAND FOR ROBOT-RELATED PRODUCTS,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  79
REGIONAL MARKETS  79
DEMAND FOR ROBOTS IN THE NORTH AMERICA  80
NEW FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION RULES WILL
BENEFIT SECURITY ROBOTS  80
New Federal Aviation Administration (Continued) . 81
AUSTERITY DRIVE THREATENS NON-MILITARY
ROBOTICS FUNDING . 82
NORTH AMERICAN FORECASTS  82
TABLE 15 DEMAND FOR ROBOTS IN NORTH AMERICA, BY ROBOT
TYPE THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 83
TABLE 16 NORTH AMERICAN DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY ENDUSER
INDUSTRY THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  83
TABLE 17 NORTH AMERICAN DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY
APPLICATION THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  84
TABLE 18 NORTH AMERICAN DEMAND FOR ROBOT-RELATED
PRODUCTS THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  85
ROBOT DEMAND IN THE EUROPEAN UNION  85
EUROPE FOCUSES ON NON-MILITARY APPLICATIONS . 85
EUROPEAN UNION FORECASTS  86
TABLE 19 DEMAND FOR ROBOTS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION, BY
ROBOT TYPE THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 87
TABLE 20 EUROPEAN UNION DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY ENDUSER
INDUSTRY THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  87
TABLE 21 EUROPEAN UNION DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY
APPLICATION THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  88
TABLE 22 EUROPEAN UNION DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY ROBOTIC
PRODUCT THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 89
ASIAN DEMAND FOR ROBOTS . 89
ASIAN FORECASTS  89
TABLE 23 GLOBAL DEMAND FOR ROBOTS IN ASIA, BY ROBOT
TYPE THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 90
TABLE 24 ASIAN DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY END-USER INDUSTRY
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  90
TABLE 25 ASIAN DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  91
TABLE 26 ASIAN DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY ROBOTIC PRODUCT
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  92
OTHER NATIONS DEMAND BY ROBOT TYPE . 92
OTHER MARKETS FORECASTS  92
TABLE 27 OTHER MARKETS DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY TYPE OF
ROBOT THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  93
TABLE 28 OTHER MARKETS DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY END-USER
INDUSTRIES THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 93
TABLE 29 OTHER MARKETS DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY
APPLICATION THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  94
TABLE 30 OTHER MARKETS DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY ROBOTIC
PRODUCTS THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  95

CHAPTER NINE: DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS
DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS . 96
TASKS PERFORMED BY INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS . 97
TABLE 31 TASKS PERFORMED BY INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS . 97
FORECASTS FOR INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS . 97
TABLE 32 REGIONAL FORECAST FOR INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  98
TABLE 33 END-USER FORECAST FOR INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  98
TABLE 34 PRODUCT REQUIREMENT FORECAST FOR INDUSTRIAL
ROBOTS THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  99
TABLE 35 MAJOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS
INDUSTRY  99
TABLE 35 (CONTINUED)  100
TABLE 35 (CONTINUED)  101
TABLE 35 (CONTINUED)  102
TABLE 35 (CONTINUED)  103
TABLE 35 (CONTINUED)  104

CHAPTER TEN: DEMAND FOR DOMESTIC SERVICE ROBOTS
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN DOMESTIC ROBOTS  105
TABLE 36 TASKS PERFORMED BY DOMESTIC SERVICE ROBOTS . 106
FORECASTS FOR DOMESTIC ROBOTS . 106
TABLE 37 REGIONAL FORECAST FOR DOMESTIC ROBOTS,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  106
TABLE 38 END-USER FORECAST FOR DOMESTIC ROBOTS,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 107
TABLE 39 PRODUCT REQUIREMENT FORECAST FOR DOMESTIC
ROBOTS, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 107
TABLE 40 MAJOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE DOMESTIC ROBOTS
INDUSTRY  107
TABLE 40 (CONTINUED)  108
TABLE 40 (CONTINUED)  109

CHAPTER ELEVEN: DEMAND FOR MILITARY ROBOTICS
TABLE 41 TASKS PERFORMED BY MILITARY ROBOTS  110
ORIGINS OF U.S. MILITARY ROBOTICS . 110
ORIGINS OF U.S. MILITARY ROBOTICS (CONTINUED) . 111
U.S. MAINTAINS RESEARCH FOCUSES ON THE MILITARY  112
MULTIPLE WARS SPUR DEVELOPMENT . 112
Multiple Wars Spur Development (Continued)  113
Wars Foster Continuing Development (Continued) . 114
TYPES AND TIERS OF MILITARY ROBOTS . 115
TABLE 42 COUNTRIES THAT DEPLOY MILITARY UAVS . 116
TABLE 43 TYPES OF US MILITARY UAVS, BY SIZE  116
TABLE 43 (CONTINUED)  117
FORECASTS FOR MILITARY ROBOTS  117
TABLE 44 REGIONAL FORECAST FOR MILITARY ROBOTS,
THROUGH 2016, (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  117
TABLE 45 END-USERS FORECAST FOR MILITARY R0BOTS,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  118
TABLE 46 PRODUCT REQUIREMENT FORECAST FOR MILITARY
ROBOTS, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 118
TABLE 47 MAJOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE MILITARY ROBOTS
INDUSTRY  118
TABLE 47 (CONTINUED)  119
TABLE 47 (CONTINUED)  120
TABLE 47 (CONTINUED)  121
TABLE 47 (CONTINUED)  122
TABLE 47 (CONTINUED)  123
TABLE 47 (CONTINUED)  124
TABLE 47 (CONTINUED)  125
TABLE 47 (CONTINUED)  126

CHAPTER TWELVE: PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ROBOTS
TABLE 48 TASKS PERFORMED BY PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
ROBOT . 127
TABLE 48 (CONTINUED)  128
TABLE 49 JAPAN’S PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ROBOT INITIATIVE  129
FORECASTS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ROBOTS  129
TABLE 50 REGIONAL FORECAST FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
ROBOTS, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 129
TABLE 51 END-USER FORECAST FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
ROBOTS, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 130
TABLE 52 PRODUCT REQUIREMENT FORECAST FOR
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ROBOTS, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER
PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 130
TABLE 53 MAJOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES ROBOTS INDUSTRY . 131
TABLE 53 (CONTINUED)  132

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: SECURITY ROBOTS
TABLE 54 TASKS PERFORMED BY SECURITY ROBOTS  133
FORECAST FOR SECURITY ROBOTS  134
TABLE 55 REGIONAL FORECAST FOR SECURITY ROBOTS,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  134
TABLE 56 END-USER FORECAST FOR SECURITY ROBOTS,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  134
TABLE 57 PRODUCT REQUIREMENT FORECAST FOR SECURITY
ROBOTS, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 135
TABLE 58 MAJOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE SECURITY ROBOTS
INDUSTRY  135
TABLE 58 (CONTINUED)  137

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: SPACE ROBOTS
SPACE ROBOTS . 137
UAVS TO FULFILL SHUTTLE MISSIONS . 138
TABLE 59 TASKS PERFORMED BY SPACE ROBOTS . 139
FORECASTS FOR SPACE ROBOTS . 139
TABLE 60 REGIONAL FORECAST FOR SPACE ROBOTS, THROUGH
2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 140
TABLE 61 END-USER FORECAST FOR SPACE ROBOTS, THROUGH
2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 140
TABLE 62 PRODUCT REQUIREMENT FORECAST FOR SPACE
ROBOTS, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 140
TABLE 63 MAJOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE SPACE ROBOTS
INDUSTRY  141

CHAPTER FIFTEEEN: FORECASTS BASED ON THE WAYS IN WHICH INDUSTRIES USE ROBOTS
AEROSPACE  143
TABLE 64 AEROSPACE INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY
ROBOT TYPE THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 144
TABLE 65 AEROSPACE INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  144
TABLE 66 AEROSPACE INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL
ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER
PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 144
TABLE 67 AEROSPACE INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR PROFESSIONAL
SERVICE ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016
(PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  145
TABLE 68 AEROSPACE INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR SPACE ROBOTS,
BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  145
AGRICULTURE  145
TABLE 69 AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY
ROBOT TYPE, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  146
TABLE 70 AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  146
TABLE 71 AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL
ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER
PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 146
TABLE 72 AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  147
AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING  147
TABLE 73 AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY
ROBOT TYPE, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  147
TABLE 74 AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  148
TABLE 75 AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL
ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER
PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 148
TABLE 76 AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR PROFESSIONAL
SERVICE ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016
(PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  148
BUILDING MAINTENANCE  149
TABLE 77 BUILDING MAINTENANCE DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY
ROBOT TYPE, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  149
TABLE 78 BUILDING MAINTENANCE INDUSTRY DEMAND, BY
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  149
TABLE 79 BUILDING MAINTENANCE INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  150
TABLE 80 BUILDING MAINTENANCE INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR
SECURITY ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016
(PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  150
CHEMICAL AND FUEL PROCESSING . 150
TABLE 81 CHEMICAL AND FUEL PROCESSING INDUSTRY
DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY ROBOT TYPE, THROUGH 2016
(PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  151
TABLE 82 CHEMICAL AND FUEL PROCESSING INDUSTRY
DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016
(PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  151
TABLE 83 CHEMICAL AND FUEL PROCESSING INDUSTRY
DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  151
TABLE 84 CHEMICAL AND FUEL PROCESSING INDUSTRY
DEMAND FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ROBOTS, BY
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  152
TABLE 85 CHEMICAL AND FUEL PROCESSING INDUSTRY
DEMAND FOR SECURITY ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH
2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 152
CONSTRUCTION . 152
TABLE 86 CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY
ROBOT TYPE, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  153
TABLE 87 CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  153
TABLE 88 CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL
ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER
PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 153
TABLE 89 CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  154
CONSUMER PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING  154
TABLE 90 CONSUMER PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING DEMAND
FOR ROBOTS, BY ROBOT TYPE, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER
PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 154
TABLE 91 CONSUMER PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING DEMAND
FOR ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER
PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 155
TABLE 92 CONSUMER PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING DEMAND
FOR INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016
(PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  155
TABLE 93 CONSUMER PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING DEMAND
FOR PROFESSIONAL ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH
2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 156
DEFENSE . 156
TABLE 94 DEFENSE INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY ROBOT
TYPE, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 156
TABLE 95 DEFENSE INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  157
TABLE 96 DEFENSE INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR MILITARY ROBOTS,
BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  157
TABLE 97 DEFENSE INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR SPACE ROBOTS, BY
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  157
EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH. 158
TABLE 98 EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH DEMAND FOR ROBOTS,
BY ROBOT TYPE, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  158
TABLE 99 EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH DEMAND FOR ROBOTS,
BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  158
ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING . 158
TABLE 100 ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING DEMAND FOR
ROBOTS, BY ROBOT TYPE, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES,
$ MILLIONS) . 159
TABLE 101 ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING DEMAND FOR
ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER
PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 159
FOOD PROCESSING . 159
TABLE 102 FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR ROBOTS,
BY ROBOT TYPE, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  160
TABLE 103 FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR ROBOTS,
BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  160
TABLE 104 FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR
INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016
(PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  160
TABLE 105 FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  161
HOME MAINTENANCE  161
TABLE 106 HOME MAINTENANCE DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY
ROBOT TYPE, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  161
TABLE 107 HOME MAINTENANCE DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  162
TABLE 108 HOME MAINTENANCE DEMAND FOR DOMESTIC
SERVICE ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016
(PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  162
TABLE 109 HOME MAINTENANCE DEMAND FOR SECURITY
ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER
PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 162
MEDICINE  163
TABLE 110 MEDICAL DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY ROBOT TYPE,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  163
TABLE 111 MEDICAL DEMAND FOR ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  163
TABLE 112 MEDICAL DEMAND FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER
PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 164
TABLE 113 MEDICAL DEMAND FOR SECURITY ROBOTS, BY
APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  164
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES  164
TABLE 114 OTHER GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES DEMAND FOR
ROBOTS, BY ROBOT TYPE, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES,
$ MILLIONS) . 165
TABLE 115 OTHER GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES DEMAND FOR
ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER
PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 165
TABLE 116 OTHER GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES DEMAND FOR
DOMESTIC SERVICE ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH
2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 165
TABLE 117 OTHER GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES DEMAND FOR
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  166
TABLE 118 OTHER GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES DEMAND FOR
SECURITY ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016
(PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  166
PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING  166
TABLE 119 PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR ROBOTS,
BY ROBOT TYPE, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  167
TABLE 120 PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR ROBOTS,
BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $
MILLIONS)  167
TABLE 121 PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR
INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016
(PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  167
TABLE 122 PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION,
THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES, $ MILLIONS)  168
TEXTILE AND CLOTHING MANUFACTURING . 168
TABLE 123 TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR
ROBOTS, BY ROBOT TYPE, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER PRICES,
$ MILLIONS) . 168
TABLE 124 TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR
ROBOTS, BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016 (PRODUCER
PRICES, $ MILLIONS) . 169

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: THE ROBOTICS COMMUNITY:
TABLE 125 SPECIALIZED NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
FUNDED PROGRAMS  170
TABLE 126 ROBOTICS RESEARCH PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT
ORGANIZATIONS  171
TABLE 126 (CONTINUED)  172
TABLE 126 (CONTINUED)  173
TABLE 126 (CONTINUED)  174
TABLE 126 (CONTINUED)  175
TABLE 126 (CONTINUED)  176
TABLE 126 (CONTINUED)  177

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: KEY PARTICIPANTS IN ADVANCING ROBOTICS
2D3, INC. . 178
AAI CORPORATION  178
ABB ROBOTICS . 179
ADEPT TECHNOLOGY, INC. . 179
AERYON LABS, INC. . 179
AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR FIELD ROBOTICS  180
BAE SYSTEMS, PLC  181
BOSCH REXROTH . 181
BRITISH AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS ASSOCIATION  182
CARE PARTNERS  182
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY ROBOTICS INSTITUTE . 182
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY … (CONTINUED) . 183
CEA (FRENCH ATOMIC ENERGY) . 184
COMAU . 185
DENSO ROBOTICS  185
EUNITED ROBOTICS: THE EUROPEAN ROBOTICS ASSOCIATION  186
EUROPEAN ROBOTICS RESEARCH NETWORK (EURON)  187
EUROPEAN TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS  187
FANUC ROBOTICS AMERICA, INC. . 187
GENERAL ATOMICS AERONAUTICAL SYSTEMS, INC. . 188
GENERAL DYNAMICS ROBOTIC SYSTEMS . 188
GENESIS SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC  189
GUSTAVO STEFANINI ROBOTICS RESEARCH CENTER . 189
HEARTLAND ROBOTICS, INC. . 189
HITACHI, LTD.  190
HONDA . 190
INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS. 191
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ROBOTICS . 191
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION . 192
INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. . 192
IROBOT CORPORATION  192
JAPAN ROBOT ASSOCIATION  193
KAWASAKI ROBOTICS  193
KUKA ROBOTICS OF NORTH AMERICA  194
LOCKHEED MARTIN  194
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY . 195
MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD . 196
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC AUTOMATION, INC  196
MOTOMAN ROBOTICS . 197
NACHI ROBOTICS  197
PANASONIC FACTORY SOLUTIONS . 197
PAR SYSTEMS, INC. . 198
PILZ AUTOMATION  198
QINETIQ . 198
ROBOAT ROBOTICS ASSOCIATION  199
ROBOTIC SYSTEMS JOINT PROJECT OFFICE  199
ROBOTICS INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION  200
ROBOTICS ALLIANCE PROJECT . 200
ROBOTICS SOCIETY OF JAPAN . 200
SHENYANG INSTITUTE OF AUTOMATION/CHINESE ACADEMY
OF SCIENCES . 200
SHENYANG INSTITUTE OF AUTOMATION/ (CONTINUED) . 201
SICK, INC.  202
STÄUBLI . 203
TOSHIBA MACHINE CO., AMERICA  203
UNIMATION . 203
UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROGRAM IN ROBOTICS  204
VENTAX ROBOT, INC.  204
WOLF ROBOTICS  204
YASKAWA ELECTRIC  205
ZAYTRAN  205

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: ROBOT PATENT ANALYSIS
RECENT ROBOT PATENTS . 206
TABLE 127 ROBOT PATENTS ISSUED FROM APRIL 2009 TO APRIL
2011 (MOST RECENT AT TOP OF TABLE) . 207
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  208
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  209
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  210
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  211
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  212
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  213
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  214
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  215
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  216
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  217
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  218
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  219
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  220
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  221
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  222
TABLE 127 (CONTINUED)  223
KEY ROBOT PATENTS 1954 TO APRIL 2011 . 223
ABSTRACTS OF KEY ROBOTICS PATENTS . 224
PROGRAMMED ARTICLE TRANSFER  224
METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING WAFERS IN A
SEMICONDUCTOR TAPE-PEELING APPARATUS . 224
WELDING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING
SAME. 224
LINKING ELEMENT WITH SCREW JACK AND ITS USE FOR
AN INDUSTRIAL ROBOT ARM  225
PAINT SPRAY BOOTH WITH ROBOT  225
SUPPORTING STRUCTURE  225
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING WAFERS  226
LIGHT PINPOINTING DEVICE FOR A ROBOT  226
REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR BIPED LOCOMOTION
ROBOT  226
SCARA-TYPE ROBOT WITH COUNTERBALANCED ARMS . 227
STACK GRASPER FOR SHEET-LIKE PRODUCTS AND
METHOD OF PALLETIZING USING A STACK GRASPER . 227
ERROR-RECOVERY METHODS FOR CONTROLLING
ROBOTIC SYSTEMS  228
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY FOCUSING
THE ATTENTION OF A VIRTUAL ROBOT INTERACTING
WITH USERS . 228
METHOD AND ASSOCIATED APPARATUS FOR
CAPTURING, SERVICING, AND DE-ORBITING EARTH
SATELLITES USING ROBOTICS  228
ROBOT APPARATUS AND EMOTION REPRESENTING
METHOD  229
MODULAR WALL-CLIMBING ROBOT WITH TRANSITION
CAPABILITY  229
IMPACT-ABSORBING MECHANISM OF WALKING ROBOT  230
LINK ASSEMBLY FOR A SNAKE-LIKE ROBOT ARM . 230
OMNI-DIRECTIONAL ROBOT CLEANER . 231
QUADRUPED WALKING ROBOT . 231
AERIAL ROBOT WITH DISPENSABLE CONDUCTIVE
FILAMENT . 232
ENERGY EFFICIENT ROBOTIC SYSTEM . 232
LEGGED LOCOMOTION ROBOT  232
FLEXIBLE INSTRUMENT . 233
AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOT . 233
TABLE 128 SIGNIFICANT ROBOTICS PATENTS (ORIGINAL
ASSIGNEE AND FILING DATE) . 234
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  235
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  236
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  237
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  238
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  239
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  240
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  241
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  242
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  243
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  244
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  245
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  246
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  247
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  248
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  249
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  250
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  251
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  252
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  253
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  254
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  255
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  256
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  257
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  258
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  259
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  260
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  261
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  262
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  263
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  264
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  265
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  266
TABLE 128 (CONTINUED)  267