The robotics market has grown strongly in recent years due to enterprises growing demand for automotive solutions to optimise output and save both labour and operational costs.

Speaking at an interview with local media in HCM City on Thursday, Huynh Phong Phu, local business manager, robotics and discrete automation, ABB Vietnam, said in 2017 Viet Nam became the seventh largest robot market in the world with robot sales jumping by thousands units.

The driver of the growth was the influx of foreign investment, especially by Korean enterprises, in the electronics industry.

Robots are also used by companies in the fields of automobiles, food, beverages, consumer goods, and metal manufacturing, he said.

The market has around six robot suppliers, and all are foreign.

“Businesses always have demand for automation. But with robot costs remaining high, only firms of medium size or above can afford to own industrial robots.”

Smart factory

According to the latest report from Global Market Insights, Inc., the global smart factory market is anticipated to rise from US$75 billion in 2018 to over $155 billion by 2025.

Also speaking at the press briefing, Vu Trong Tai, general manager of Reed Tradex Vietnam, said: “The factories that are digitally advanced and connected facilities will sharpen the manufacturing performance in a host of operations. Several technologies, namely IoT, AI, big data, and analytics in the smart factory market have the ability to operate autonomously and correct by themselves.

“Due to the popularity of cost-effective and automated benefits, the industry is witnessing high demand in the manufacturing, metalworking, automotive, processing, and other sectors.”

Phu said the auxiliary manufacturing industry in Viet Nam is growing faster than ever with the convergence of many factors, including the entry of large global manufacturers such as Samsung, LG, Toyota, Honda, Canon, and Brother into Viet Nam, whose production facilities are at the heart of the global supply chain.

At METALEX Vietnam 2019, to be held from October 10 to 12 at HCM Citys Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre, ABB will show a fully automated production demo of robots controlled by ABB AbilityTM Connected Services, a sophisticated suite of digital services, to enable visitors to experience the future factory, he said.

Tai said METALEX, an international exhibition of machine tools and metalworking solutions, will feature 600 brands from 45 countries and territories, 30 per cent more than last year.

This year WELDING Vietnam 2019, the only international exhibition of welding and cutting materials, equipment, and technologies in Viet Nam, will be co-located with METALEX Vietnam, he added. — VNS