President’s Report

Outlook of the new IFR President

Dec 18, 2017 — I just returned from the iREX in Tokyo. The record number of more than 130,000 visitors and more than 600 exhibitors has demonstrated the high interest in robotics. The global success story of industrial robots continued in 2017 for the 8th year in a row. Prospects for 2018 and beyond are promising.

Dear Reader,

A few days ago, I was elected as President of the IFR. I succeeded Joe Gemma. He successfully followed the mission, to deliver a better understanding about what drives the rapidly changing world of robotics. As new President together with the new Vice President, Steven Wyatt, I will carry his mission forward - for the International Federation of Robotics. Robots increase productivity and competitiveness. Robots have been enablers for the industry development for automobile, semiconductor, distribution and so on. The quality of work has improved. Dangerous, tedious and dirty work is being transferred from human to machine.

2018 looks to continue the energy and excitement with multiple events that will have IFR or IFR member associations participation.

Major events in 2018

automatica 2018 (19-22 June 2018), Munich

IFR CEO Round Table at automatica, 20 June 2018
ISR 2018 (20-21 June 2018)
Joseph Engelberger Award presentation (20 June 2018)
IERA Award presentation (20 June 2018)

CiROS 2018 (4-7 July 2018), Shanghai

IFR-CRIA CEO Round Table at CiROS

INNOPROM 2018 (9-11 July 2018), Ekaterinburg

TAIROS 2018 (29 Aug – 1 Sep. 2018), Taipei

Robot World 2018 (10-13 Oct. 2018), Goyang-si

World Robot Summit (17-21 October 2018), Tokyo

Looking forward to another record year in 2018.

Respectfully,