President´s Report

Making a future with Robot

"Making a future with Robot" is the theme of this year's International Robot Exhibition (iREX 2011) in Tokyo. I think this is a perfect slogan for the worldwide robotics industry today. I am very happy to start my presidency at such a successful period of the robotics industry. The strong demand on robotics of 2010 is still continuing in 2011.

IFR Statistical Department

Continuing growth of robot sales worldwide

According to the results of the first quarter 2011 of the IFR Quarterly Statistics the robots sales increased by 53% compared to the first quarter 2010. In the fourth quarter 2010 the growth of robot sales slowed down somewhat. However, the level in all three regions - North America, Europe and Asia - rose compared to the 4th quarter 2010. Especially sales of robots for handling operations and welding increased above average.

Dr. Shinsuke Sakakibara as new IFR President elected

Lindqvist's time of office ended

The IFR Executive Board elected Dr. Shinsuke Sakakibara, Managing Counselor, FANUC CORPORATION, Japan, as the new IFR President. Dr. Sakakibara announced that he will continue to strengthen the IFR as the most important organization for the world robotics community.

7th 2011 Invention and Entrepreneurship in Robotics and Automation (IERA) Award

Bruno Maisonnier selected as Winner

The 7th annual Invention and Entrepreneurship Award in Robotics and Automation (IERA) was presented to Bruno Maisonnier, CEO of Aldebaran Robotics for development of the Humanoid Robot NAO.

Strong comeback of the global robotics industry

In 2011 robots sales will increase to a new peak level

The IFR Statistical Department presented the preliminary results of the annual detailed statistics for Industrial Robots on Tuesday in Chicago at the AUTOMATE. In 2010, with more than 115,000 industrial robots shipped, the number of units sold worldwide almost doubled - with 2009 being lowest year since the early 90's.

Joseph Engelberger Award presented to the retiring IFR President Åke Lindqvist

Honored for Leadership

Åke Lindqvist, IFR President, was presented the Joseph Engelberger Award for Leadership 2011 at the Gala Dinner of the International Symposium on Robotics on 22 March in Chicago.

CEO Round Table discussion

The Robotics Competitive Edge

The IFR invited the international press to a CEO Round Table discussion on "The Robotics Competitive Edge" at the AUTOMATE 2011 in Chicago.

ISR and Automate 2011

Both Events Attracted Large Audience in Chicago

Attendance surged at the recent Automate 2011 Show and ISR in Chicago (March 21-24) as three major trade associations combined to lift interest in automation among leading companies from the U.S. and abroad, according to the sponsors.

Automate 2011 / 42nd ISR Conference

Proceedings Now Available

Outstanding presentations from global experts are featured in the Automate 2011 / 42nd International Symposium on Robotics (ISR) Conference proceedings that are now available.

ABB, Sweden - IFR-Partner

ABB robots help furniture maker use less paint and reduce waste

High-pressure painting using industrial robots has enabled Spartan in Slovakia to reduce the amount of paint they use by 15 percent

Schunk, Germany - IFR Partner

World's Longest Stroke - 3 Finger Gripper

The new SCHUNK PZH-SF gripper is unique in application.  Part to part change over can be eliminated increasing up-time and change over complexity.

KUKA Roboter, Germany - IFR Partner

Utmost precision for plastic components

It's all about plastics processing at Borscheid + Wenig GmbH. The Bavarian-based high-tech company offers a comprehensive range of products that few others can match: from the manufacture of individual components to complete assemblies. The use of KUKA robots has enabled the 300-strong company, which is based in Diedorf near Augsburg, to boost productivity.

BlueBotics, Switzerland - IFR-Partner

A well thought out navigation for the clever AGV

In only 10 years, a team spinning-off from the EPF Lausanne stirred up the market with a new generation of mobile robotics technologies off the beaten tracks. With their company BlueBotics they have become an indispensable problem solver for their industrial partners thanks to their core competence, the Autonomous Navigation Technology ANT®.

Schunk, Germany - IFR Partner

Service robotics is the future key market

Insiders are convinced that golden times lie ahead for service robotics. Around the world companies and institutes have recognized the potential of robots as helpers for humans, and are working on everyday solutions.

Valk Welding, Netherlands - IFR-Partner

Welding Specialist celebrates 50 years anniversary

What began with the sale of welding equipment to Dutch metals companies has grown in those 5 decades into a leading internationally oriented welding technology company. Valk Welding has his 50 years anniversary this year.

Valk Welding, Netherlands - IFR-Partner

Best Managed Company 2011

Welding robotintegrator Valk Welding is selected as a winner of the Best Managed Company competetion in the Netherlands. This is the outcome of the Best Managed Companies competetion, which is organized by Deloitte in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce, VNO-NCW, TiasNimbas Business School and Management Team.

Danish Technological Institute, Denmark - IFR R&D Institute

DTI to host European robotics event next year

Danish Technological Institute's (DTI) Centre for Robot Technology is looking anxiously forward to welcoming the European robotics community to Denmark and the city of Odense next year.

RIA, USA - IFR Industry Association

Robot Orders Surge 31% in First Quarter of 2011

North American robotics companies enjoyed their best opening quarter since 2007, according to new statistics released by Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry's trade group. A total of 4,021 robots valued at $263.5 million were ordered by North American manufacturing companies through March, an increase of 31% in units and 27% in dollars.

RIA, USA - IFR Industry Association Member

News and Service Summary

News and offers from RIA to RIA members and non-members. Find out more ...

BARA, UK - IFR-Industry Association

BARA's Automating Manufacturing Campaign spurs on UK manufacturers!

A recent series of breakfast meetings, attended by leading UK manufacturers have successfully launched BARA's Automating Manufacturing Campaign to stimulate interest in automation among the UK manufacturing community; a quest which has received Government support following an industry study Application of Automation in UK Manufacturing 27 Sept 2010.

30 Jun, 2011

Robot Safety Standard (R15.06) & Robot Risk Assessment Training Seminar

RIA opens its popular In-house Training seminar to the public. Single-day robot safety seminar covers the Robot Safety Standard (R15.06) in the morning session, with Robot Risk Assessment in the afternoon session.

20 Jul, 2011

Robot Safety Standard (R15.06) & Robot Risk Assessment Training Seminar

RIA opens its popular In-House Training seminar to the public.  This one-day robot safety seminar means less training time out of the office for your employee(s) in a cost-effective format useful for training limited number of workers.

27 Jul, 2011

Robot Safety Standard (R15.06) & Robot Risk Assessment Training Seminar

For the first-time ever in Tanner, RIA opens its popular In-house Training seminar to the public. This one-day robot safety seminar means less training time out of the office for your employee(s) in a cost-effective format useful for training limited number of workers. 

31 Aug - 3 Sep, 2011

TIROS 2011

TIROS 2011 is the biggest international robot exhibition in Taiwan

19-21 Sep, 2011

National Robot Safety Conference XXIII

RIA's 23rd annual National Robot Safety Conference will provide plenty of excitement and information as you preview the advanced copy of R15.06 (2011 Edition) Robot Safety Standard.

27-30 Oct, 2011

Robot World 2011

Robot World is one of the biggest international robot shows, which consists of exhibition, contest, and conference all in one. As a growing global exhibition for robot companies around the world, Robot World will be a reliable foundation for robot business growth.

9-12 Nov, 2011

iREX 2011

This show is designed to provide a place to exhibit robots and peripheral equipment in order to enhance market awareness of new technology.

16-18 Nov, 2011

RobotSHOW and HAPexpo 2011

The RobotSHOW and HAPexpo 2011 is Expo Silesia's proposal addressed to companies offering products for the automatics industry, hydraulic and pneumatic elements and systems, electromechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic controllers and robots.