As technology continues to evolve, robotics is advancing at an astonishing pace.Trends of Robots In 2024, we expect to witness a series of innovations and transformations in the field of robotics, marking a significant leap forward and a year of massive innovation in robotic technology.
During this year, robots may evolve beyond mere tools for performing tasks to become intelligent, collaborative partners. They are set to profoundly impact our work, lives, and society.
In this article, we will delve into the developments in the field of robotics for 2024 and make the following ten predictions:
01 Integration of Large-scale Models with Robots
Large-scale technology has been a driving force in the development of robotics, a major trend in 2023 that will continue to play a crucial role in the 2024 robotics market. Advances in deep learning and neural network technologies have made robots more intelligent, with higher levels of perception, learning, and adaptation capabilities. This allows them to autonomously perform more complex tasks. Machine learning algorithms enable robots to learn from their experiences, adapting to various situations and environments. This progress not only enhances robot efficiency but also improves decision-making accuracy, providing greater flexibility and precision for robots to operate in complex environments.
In addition to applying existing visual and linguistic models to robotics, 2024 may see the development of specialized foundational expert models for robotic tasks, such as motion control models or motion planning models for navigation. These foundational robot models demonstrate robust generalization capabilities, adapting to different tasks and even specific scenarios, indicating the possibility of integrating different robot modules into a unified model.
Furthermore, current large model research mainly uses architectures based on Transformers, focusing on semantic perception of objects and scenes, task-level planning, and control. Other parts of robot systems, such as foundational models for dynamic environment adaptation or basic models capable of symbolic reasoning, have received less attention. It is predicted that large-scale models will see enhanced development in 2024.
02 A New Era of Human-Robot Collaboration
Against the backdrop of “Industry 4.0” and smart factories, collaborative robots are gradually being applied more widely in manufacturing, and in 2024, collaboration between robots and humans will become more common. Robots and humans will work together in production environments, medical fields, and service industries, leveraging each other’s strengths. This collaborative effort is expected to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and create safer working environments.
There are still certain shortcomings in China’s collaborative robots, such as serious product homogenization, and core components like direct drive motors, modular encoders, and torque sensors are not completely domestically produced, necessitating expensive imports to ensure high performance. However, with increased policy support in China, product innovation and technological breakthroughs are expected to be promoted. It is predicted that in 2024, domestic collaborative robot brands will become competitive, and collaborative robots will become an indispensable part of efficient production and daily life. Meanwhile, human-robot collaboration technology will also become an important development direction and a necessary feature for all future robots.
03 Further Applications of Medical Robots
The Medical Field will undergo profound changes with the advancement of robotic technology. Surgical robots, medication dispensing robots, and assistive care robots will play more important roles in hospitals and clinical environments. This will not only improve the quality of medical services but also allow medical staff to focus more on patient care.
It is expected that in 2024, medical robots will further develop with technological progress, gaining more autonomy without violating the “robot rules,” better serving humans. As medical robot technology matures, robots may surpass human limits in certain aspects, potentially autonomously performing some medical treatments. Additionally, medical robots will possess higher collaboration capabilities, reliability, and integration, achieving tactile and visual interaction feedback in human-machine interactions, making clinical interactions faster and more natural.
04 Rise of Smart Home Assistants
2024 is expected to see the widespread adoption of smart home robots. From voice assistants to cleaning robots, smart home robots will become smarter and more considerate. These robots will learn to understand the needs of household members, assist in managing household affairs, and create a more intelligent and comfortable living environment. The rise of smart homes will change people’s expectations for family life, making life more convenient and enjoyable. Robot assistants will not only perform simple tasks but also understand the needs of household members and assist in managing daily life. Voice assistants, cleaning robots, and integrated smart home systems will become a common part of household life.
5 Emergence of Educational Robots
The education sector will become one of the key application areas for robotic technology. In 2024, we will see more educational robots entering non-structured environments such as schools and training institutions. Personalized learning and real-time feedback will be the core features of educational robots, helping students better understand knowledge and develop creativity and problem-solving skills. The rise of educational robots will inject new vitality into education, promoting better Education for Students in the globalized, digital age and driving innovation.
06 Focus on Preventive Maintenance for Robots
With the development of robotic technology, the extensive use of intelligent robots has saved a lot of money and improved production efficiency. However, to ensure optimal performance of robots, maintenance costs have also increased. Therefore, it is predicted that in 2024, preventive maintenance technology for robots will receive considerable attention from experts, aiming to enhance the lifespan and reliability of robots and reduce the risks associated with robot failures.
Robot preventive maintenance involves monitoring the performance and physical condition of robots using technologies such as Internet of Things sensors during normal operation to prevent potential failures or damages, thereby ensuring the reliability and stability of robots. It is predicted that in 2024, the comprehensive and intelligent application of adaptive control systems, sensor technology, predictive maintenance software, and other technologies will become more widespread, significantly improving the reliability of robots, reducing failures and downtime, and lowering maintenance costs.
07 Data Security Challenges
As various types of robots become more widespread and applied, the demand for data security is increasing. These challenges involve protecting sensitive information within robot systems and ensuring the security of their normal operations. Data stored and transmitted, including design blueprints, process parameters, and production plans, all require proper protection.
In 2024, robot manufacturers and users will face more data security challenges. We need to consider hardware, software, communication, and user privacy comprehensively, devising stricter security policies and measures to ensure that robot systems can resist potential threats at all levels.
08 Large-scale Custom Deployment by Enterprises
In 2024, there is expected to be a surge in large-scale generative AI applications. Many enterprises will Deployment Customized AI models, potentially numbering in the hundreds, to address specific issues in various business domains and processes. These AI applications will deeply integrate into business systems, fine-tuning based on company-owned data to provide customized services in a secure environment.
For the training of large-scale language models, a large amount of high-quality data is required. Retrieve-Augment-Generate (RAG) technology enables enterprises to better address issues of data scarcity and declining quality. In 2024, RAG is expected to become a major technical route for developing generative AI applications. RAG enhances the accuracy of generative tasks significantly by semantic search from large knowledge bases. Customized AI models with RAG capabilities will connect data sources with generative AI models to make more accurate and informed responses. Leading companies such as Amdocs, Dropbox, Genentech, SAP, ServiceNow, and Snowflake have already begun using RAG to build their new generative AI services.
09 Continued Expansion of the Mobile Robot Market
In recent years, driven by the logistics economy and supported by national policies, the mobile robot industry has experienced rapid growth. With continuous advancements in core technologies such as LiDAR, cameras, and SLAM-based navigation, the demand in industries like new energy, third-party logistics, and Healthcare continues to expand. The mobile robot market is expected to grow significantly in 2024.
According to a report from China Industry Research Institute titled “2024-2029 Global and China Autonomous Mobile Robot Industry Development Status Survey and Investment Prospect Analysis,” sales of mobile robots in the Chinese market reached 110,000 units in 2023, with a year-on-year growth rate exceeding 30%. Analysts at China Industry Research Institute predict further growth in 2024, with sales reaching up to 170,000 units and the market size reaching 19 billion yuan.
10 Accelerated Legislation on Artificial Intelligence
As AI development reaches unprecedented heights, global policymakers are beginning to pay attention to these changes.
With the arrival of 2024, many countries, including China, the European Union, the United States, and India, are working to construct comprehensive AI policies to ensure the healthy, sustainable, and responsible development of robots. Ethical considerations in robot R&D will be prioritized. For example, the United States signed its first executive order on AI on October 30, 2023; meanwhile, on December 8, 2023, EU members and European Parliament members preliminarily agreed on the world’s first comprehensive regulation of AI (including ChatGPT). Countries are formulating AI policies aimed at promoting technological breakthroughs, attracting global investments, and protecting citizens from adverse effects of AI. Discussions within the industry suggest that potential international cooperation effects indicate global cooperation on AI standards and regulations is likely to be achieved as early as 2024.
Summary:
looking ahead to 2024, whether in the iterative development of AI technology itself, reshaping the value of data, or penetrating applications into various industries and fields, the influence of AI is omnipresent. It empowers research, innovation, and economies while bringing new challenges and risks. With the development of these trends, we can expect a future that is more intelligent and collaborative.
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