The robotics market in Southeast Asia is growing and looks set to reach a market value of USD 1.32 billion in 2023. Projections show that between 2023 and 2028, the market should grow at a rate of 0.75% to USD 1.37 billion by 2028. Singapore is leading the region, with its advances in research and development boosting its impact in the sector.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the use of Robots helped people comply with the gathering restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the virus. For example, deploying robots helped make deliveries, spray disinfectants on surfaces, and more.

The growth of the robotics segment is attributable to the demand for efficiency, productivity issues, increased innovation, the high cost of human labour, and the desire for automation. Furthermore, increased government and venture capital (VC) funding has helped drive the industry forward. The ecosystem is also attracting more investors and tech experts to join in.

Additionally, factories are adopting technology to serve the region’s growing population better and participate in rapid industrialisation and urbanisation. Integrating robots with artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) is another game changer, with tech experts able to use them to preprogram innovative robots to function in a certain way. 

The current landscape of robotics applications across industries 

Many existing robotics applications are used across various industries and sectors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Singapore and Thailand are leading the way in adopting service robots, which enhance productivity and efficiency in sectors like healthcare and logistics. Furthermore, as the robots have an impact, they improve customer experience.

Manufacturing is another area benefiting from automation and technological advancements due to robots. Countries like Malaysia and Thailand have a robust manufacturing background and are adopting robots in the automotive industry.

Here are some companies making an impact in the robotics sector:

TXMR

Malaysia-based TXMR is an engineering company providing industrial automation and manufacturing robotic technology and components. It offers solutions like material handling equipment. 

Examples include arm pneumatic cylinder manipulators that can handle weights as heavy as 200kg, scissor lifters used in construction, and portable robots known as Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs), which move materials and equipment around a warehouse.

Eureka Robotics

Singapore-based Eureka Robotics provides robotic arms, software, and systems to automate tasks that people need to achieve high accuracy. Its solutions benefit industries like logistics, electronics, optics, aerospace, and semiconductors, among other things. For example, combining its robotic tech with AI helps companies detect scratches and digs in optical lenses.

Movel AI

Another Singapore-based company is Movel AI, which simplifies the deployment and use of robots for hardware businesses. It provides mobility platforms for non-tech users to move robotic applications by installing its robot deployment system (RDS) and using the interface to direct the robots to their desired location. Additionally, its solutions enable its customers to manage a fleet of robots, control them, and delegate tasks.

Smartsense

Malaysia’s Smartsense is an industrial automation system integrator. For example, it integrates robotic systems into production lines to reduce costs and human error. It provides fully customisable end-to-end industrial automation solutions, which can help customers achieve maximum productivity and precise results.

SKYVIV

Thai-based SKYVIV specialises in drone imagery and supplies products and services for high-accuracy mapping. It also provides infrastructure inspection and precision technology agriculture. It supplies state-of-the-art and Swiss-made fixed-wing drones and entry-level Parrot Professional drones to take pictures of large areas. Their solution connects to the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to obtain high-quality images.

Future trends for robotics in Southeast Asia

Even though the robotics industry offers customers many vital solutions and services, it still faces many challenges. First is the cost from purchasing to maintenance and repairs. Thus, much work is still required to lower the prices in the sector, which, in turn, will improve accessibility. Also, democratising access will lead to more innovation in the segment.

A second challenge occurs due to advances in the AI and ML sectors. It is vital to keep up to date with the AI/ML systems and algorithms for the robots to be efficient and adaptable, navigate their environment better, and deliver expected results.

There is always an issue of investment in ASEAN. With the global economy experiencing headwinds, it becomes difficult for startups to raise enough funds for operations, research and development, marketing, and investing in the tech talent needed to build excellent robots.

Finally, regional governments should do more to establish better regulations, improve standards, and ensure safety in the industry.

The future of modern workplaces will be to integrate technology into various industries. The rise of sectors like robotics will bring efficiency, productivity, accuracy, and more to companies in Southeast Asia. Thus, bosses must find a way to reskill their workers to cope with the changes happening in many organisations. 

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