The APEJ region (Asia Pacific excluding Japan) is expected to spend US$125.4 billion on robotics in 2022, tripling the spending in 2017, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.7 per cent from 2018 through 2022. APEJ is currently the largest robotics market and poised to account for more than 62 per cent of the global robotics spending in 2022, according to the research firm IDC.

The rise of cobots

A major driver of this growth is the demand for collaborative robots (cobots). While industrial robots usually work autonomously and separately from human workers, cobots share work space and support humans.

The rise of cobots is the direct result of manufacturers adapting to customers’ thirst for more innovation and customisation. Products are increasingly produced in a high mix, low volume, and short cycle time environment. Mass customisation requires both robots’ precision, speed and humans’ agility.

China is the biggest spender

China’s spending on robotics applications is projected to reach US$77 billion—61 per cent of APEJ’s total robotics spent in 2022.

From a sector perspective, the manufacturing sector, which includes discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing, resources and construction, remains the largest spender, and is expected to account for over 67 per cent of the region's total investment in robotics in 2022.

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