Robotics is a disruptive technology that is playing an increasingly important role in the manufacturing industry. We have the right environment – an ideal blend of industrial and consumer markets, supply chain clusters, and academia and research institutions – for robotics and automation companies to flourish.
As a disruptive technology, robotics offers many benefits to users.
The robotics market is projected to reach $41 billion by 2020. The average annual number of robots sold was approximately 115,000 units from 2005 and 2008. In comparison, 171,000 units were sold between 2010 and 2014 – a 48% increase.
By automating tasks, industrial automation and robotics offers tremendous advantages:
With Ontario’s large manufacturing base and world-class R&D environment, the opportunity has never been greater for industrial automation companies to excel here.
From design engineering firms and components suppliers to OEMs and systems integrators, Ontario has it all.
We are home to more than 350 automation and robotics-related companies, including Autodesk, Siemens, Rockwell Automation, OMRON, Lapp Group, Denso Robotics, Schneider Electric, Toshiba, Universal Robotics, and ABB — the largest concentration of robotics and automation firms in Canada (both foreign-owned and domestic). We also have components and subsystems providers that offer software, machine vision, and automation solutions.
Leading OEMs and systems integrators that offer end-to-end solutions are also here. Their expertise spans a multitude of industries:
Ontario’s strengths span multiple industries including industrial, surgical and mobile robotics, as well as control products, drones, and space exploration.
Ontario companies are renowned for their innovations in the robotics sector, some specializing in brain surgery and rocket science:
Select list of global supply chain players in Ontario:
Ontario companies are poised to take advantage of the many benefits industrial automation and robotics offer.
The province’s robust automotive industry accounts for 57% of the robots used in Ontario, followed by the food and beverage sector at 9%. The gap between the automotive and the less automated sectors in Ontario represents a significant opportunity for companies to market. These industries are primed to adopt robotics technologies to keep pace with global trends towards automation.
Ontario has a large manufacturing base across many sectors:
Ontario’s innovative and collaborative ecosystem includes a strong post‐secondary education and training infrastructure.
Ontario has the skilled labour required to be a leader in industrial automation and robotics. There are many programs available in the province, with applications in robotics, automation, controls, electronics and mechatronics, at the college, undergraduate and graduate levels.
This focus provides the talent required to undertake robotics‐related research, such as space robotics, drone technologies, autonomous ground vehicles, and underground/underwater applications.
Ontario’s mix of industry, academia and support programs offer the perfect environment to nurture R&D and fuel innovation.
R&D and commercialization of new and advanced robotics applications in Ontario have been predominantly driven by academic research networks:
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