The cobotics the future of French industrial SMEs
Cobotics: the future of French industrial SMEs
In the midst of reconfinement, SMEs have decided to ensure the continuity of their production despite the presence of the virus. For this, they invest in the robotics and cobotics.
The robotization of companies in France
The health crisis linked to the Coronavirus is pushing companies to produce differently. In an industry already in full mutation since globalization, the Covid-19 accelerates the change in French companies which are now obliged to use technology not to close their doors.
Currently, companies have to implement social distancing measures in the workshops, manage the lack of manpower (sick or quarantined employees), and deal with disruptions in their supply system. Indeed, it is now vital for all SMEs to relocate the entire supply and production chain. In search of immediate solutions, industrial companies are turning to the use of robots or cobots (collaborative robots).
The figures from the IFR (International Federation of Robotics) are very revealing, as there are more than 3 million industrial robots in operation on sites around the world. Moreover, France has the highest increase in Europe with 42,000 active robots. The sale of cobots has increased by more than 11% this year in our country.
The brakes on automation in French SMEs
However, there are still many obstacles to the automation of french companies. Indeed, all SMEs do not necessarily have the time to evaluate the available solutions. They also don’t have the availability to deploy these solutions or to train their employees.
Indeed, automation also requires hiring qualified personnel. And it is a substantial financial investment that can be risky for small industrial companies. And although the government offers aid for accelerated robotization of companies, it remains an unattainable project for some.
Cobotics to ensure the future of our company
In this context of health crisis and facing an uncertain future, collaborative robotics remains an effective solution. That’s why it is currently growing steadily. Today, many SMEs are not afraid to invest in automation by buying complex industrial robots or cobots.
The cobots are more flexible than robots and they work thanks to a collaboration between man and machine. So they need an operator, which does not put human employment at risk.
