Position Sensors in Robotics: Boosting Efficiency and Accuracy in Automation

A position sensor is a type of electronic sensor, which is used to detect the position of any object. The position sensors offer the user a wide range of applications, which include usage in structural testing, automotive testing, throttle sensing, mechanical arm positioning, and factory automation among many others. The position sensor includes multiple key benefits as it helps in facilitating contact-free monitoring or measurement of any objects, and it can also provide location and displacement information of an object in linear travel.

A position sensor offers multiple key benefits and applications in the global robotics market. A position sensor’s key role in the robotics sector is to detect and monitor the position of the arms of the robots, and it is also used to accurately and efficiently perform various types of motions required by the robots. These sensors also help to detect the presence of a target or an object, which the robot can further encode or counter its functions.

There are three different types of position sensors available in the global market, which are linear, angular, and rotary position sensors. The linear position sensors are majorly used to measure the position of any object in a linear or straight path. The linear position sensor is commonly used as a proximity sensor, in the robotics industry to detect the presence of any object in the path of the robots. Similarly, the angular position sensor is used to measure the relative angle of any object, which is commonly used across the automotive industry to measure the position of the throttle, steering wheel, and other systems. In the robotics sector, angular position sensors play a critical role in controlling dampers and valves. A rotary position sensor is a type of position sensor that is used to measure the displacement of any object. In the robotics sector, the angular position sensor is commonly used to monitor the brushless motors of the robots.

In the global robotics market, the position sensor is set to play a critical role in its efficient development and deployment. In the robotics sector, position sensors are normally used to measure the position of the joints or other parts of the robots.

• Increasing Installation of Industrial Robots.

A major factor, that is attributing to the growth of the position sensor in the global robotics market is the increased use of robotics in industrial automation settings. In industrial robots, position acts as a critical component, to maintain the efficiency and optimum performance of these robots. In industrial robots, the positions sensor helps to detect the position of the arms, and equipment essentials in the industrial settings.

The International Federation of Robotics, in the global Industrial Robots report of 2023 stated that the installation of industrial robots across the globe witnessed a massive increase in the past few years. The organization stated that in the global industrial robots installation, the Asia/Australia region occupies the majority of the market share, followed by the European and American regions. The agency stated that in 2021, a total of 52 thousand units of industrial robots were installed in the Americas region, whereas about 82 thousand units were installed in the European region. In 2022, the total installation of industrial robots increase to 56 thousand units in the Americas region and 84 thousand units in the European region. In the Asia/Australia region, about 385 thousand units of industrial robots were installed in 2021, which increased to 405 thousand units in 2022.

Figure 1:  Installation of Industrial Robots, by Region, in Thousand Units, 2021 and 2022

Source: International Federation of Robotics

• Increasing investments in the global robotics industry

A major factor that is forecasted to grow the global market of position sensors in the robotics industry is the increasing investments in the robotics sectors across the world. Various companies, like China, Japan, India, the USA, Canada, and Germany have introduced multiple policies and investment opportunities, which are targeted to develop the industrial and consumer robotics sector in the nation. The countries also introduced key policies, which are aimed to lure industry giants, like Mitsubishi, Toyota, and others to establish their research and development centers in their nations.

For instance, in India, the Government introduced its Draft national Strategy on Robotics, which is aimed at developing robotics automation in the industrial and manufacturing sectors of the nation. Through this strategy, the government aims to identify and prioritize four major sectors in the nation, which are manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and national security, and offer subsidies to boost the robotics automation in these sectors. Furthermore, the nation also witnessed new investments in the robotics sector, which included a US$ 3 million investment by General Autonomy, for developing AI-powered robots for the manufacturing sector, and investments by XMACHINES for developing mobile autonomous robots for indoor and outdoor applications.. India ranks seventh in the global annual robot installation. The International Federation of Robotics, in its press release, stated that the nation’s annual installation surged by 59%, in 2023. The organization stated that in 2023, a total of about 8,510 units of robotics were installed in the nation, which increased from about 5,353 units installed in 2022.

Similarly, the investments in the robotics sector by the Japanese Government also increased substantially in past few years. The International Federation of Robotics in its press release stated that in Japan, about 435,000 robots are working in the factories. Although the annual installation of robots in the nation dropped by 5% in 2023, with total annual robotics installation accounting for only 46,106 units, Japan is the second biggest user and installer of robotics in the world. The GITAI also invested about US$47.566 million in the nation, to develop remote controlled robots, which is aimed to support astronauts operations in space stations.

Key Developments

• In October 2023, Renesas Electronics Corporation, a global electrical equipment manufacturer, announced the successful development of a cost-effective and highly accurate motor position sensing technology, which can offer applications across multiple industries, like automotive, industrial, robots, and IoT. This new position sensor developed by the company offers an accuracy of up to 14 bits, with a rotational speed of 600krpm (electrical).

In conclusion, position sensor technology offers key applications in the global robotics market, as these sensors help to accurately and efficiently measure the position of different components and objects, enhancing the performance of the robots.