SCARA Robot Market

Market Overview

The global SCARA robot market size was valued at USD 10,239.39 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 23,365.17 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.6% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm, or SCARA, is a popular tool for tiny robotic assembly applications. SCARA is a type of industrial robot. The phrase "selected compliance" refers to the arm's slightly compliant X-Y and rigid Z movements caused by the parallel-axis joint arrangement of the SCARA. This helps with various assembly tasks, such as inserting a round pin without binding in a round hole. The jointed two-link arm configuration resembling human arms is the SCARA's second distinguishing feature; hence, "articulated." This function enables the arm to stretch into small spaces before retracting or "folding up" out of the way. This is useful for loading or unloading enclosed process stations and moving parts from one cell to another.

SCARA robots are typically employed for high-speed, high-precision pick-and-place or assembly operations. A SCARA robot often has a greater operating speed and an optional cleanroom specification. These robots are employed in several industries, such as electrical and electronics, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, automotive, metal and machinery, etc.

Highlights

• Up to 5.00 KG dominates the payload capacity segment
• Material handling dominates the application segment
• The electrical and electronics industry dominates the industry verticals segment
• Asia-Pacific is the highest shareholder in the global market

Market Dynamics

Global SCARA Robot Market Drivers

Growth in Need for Mass Production with Reduced Operation Cost

The industry players are focusing on increasing the efficiency of the manufacturing process to achieve low-cost and high-quality production results, which majorly drives the market. Similarly, an upsurge in demand for mass production in manufacturing industries also increases the demand for industrial applications, as it resolves the quality control issue associated with mass production. It also reduces production costs by producing many products in optimized time with high accuracy. Moreover, less human intervention reduces the labor cost, which minimizes the overall operational cost of a manufacturing process and drives the demand for this market.

Upsurge in Demand for IoT-based Smart Solutions and Automation in Various Industries for Qualitative and Reliable Manufacturing

The shift toward digital transformation fuels the demand for IoT-based smart solutions and automation in numerous industries to adopt and enable new and autonomous capabilities. Most automation and smart solutions are used in industries to improve product quality and plant efficiency and facilitate uniform production. Therefore, increased demand for IoT-based smart solutions will bolster market growth during the forecast period.

In addition, the demand for industrial automation is rising in various industries as it combines information technology with machines and systems to create smart manufacturing infrastructure. It standardizes the manufacturing process and provides repeatable and consistent results with improved product quality. Moreover, automation in industrial applications has reduced human intervention in industrial processes, which minimizes human errors and related problems, thereby driving the market growth.

Global SCARA Robot Market Restraint

High Expenditure Associated with the Implementation of SCARA Robots

High installation cost and integration capabilities needed for the initial setup of SCARA robots restrain their adoption. The initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs of deploying robotics systems are significant when high-quality hardware and a successful software control system are coupled. The high initial investment need constrains the usage of SCARA robots in the professional and personal use segments. However, many industry users are unaware of the quality of the finished products manufactured using automation, where continuous monitoring and control systems are installed to ensure the flow of the processes and the need for industry professionals to assess the quality of the products. Accordingly, subsequent equipment and associated maintenance may lead to a high investment cost for the manufacturers. These aspects are anticipated to limit the market expansion for SCARA robots.

Global SCARA Robot Market Opportunities

Rising Demand for Automation in Asian Countries such as China and Japan

The automotive and manufacturing sectors in Asia-Pacific are witnessing rapid growth. Moreover, low manufacturing costs, supportive policies of the regional governments, and an increase in cognizance of the assistance of automation influence the growth of the end-user industries in Asia-Pacific. In addition, reducing prices and adopting enabling technologies provide lucrative opportunities for the market growth in Asian countries such as Japan and China during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11.7% during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific is the most populous region that includes countries such as China, India, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia, and it has invested heavily in R&D activities, thereby boosting market growth. The rise in demand for plastic products and plastic materials in the Asia-Pacific market and technological advances fuel the growth of the SCARA robots market. In addition, increased adoption of automated systems in the growing food and beverage, logistics, pharmaceutical, and other sectors; improved and safe working conditions; and technological advancements foster the demand for packaging robots in this region. The Indian government also emphasizes safety and security on the production floor, accelerating the robot market's growth. An increase in demand in the electronics, automobile, construction, and chemical industries further supplements the Asia-Pacific market.

Europe is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% over the forecast period. Europe is one of the key revenue generators, as most of the key companies, such as ABB, Fanuc, KUKA, Kawasaki, and the Yaskawa Electric Corporation, are located in this region. The aging European population's increased desire for better biomedical and healthcare services, combined with increased demand from end-user sectors like semiconductor production, plastics, metallurgy, and fiber optics, is anticipated to fuel market expansion in this area. Due to a boom in the e-commerce sector, the market is anticipated to experience moderate growth in the upcoming years. In addition, the regional market's growth has been fueled by the recent surge in e-commerce, which has raised demand for these automated systems.

Furthermore, the Europe market is studied across the U.K., Italy, Germany, France, and the rest of Europe. Germany is the largest revenue contributor to the regional market growth. With the largest share in industrial production, Germany is the leading market for robots in Europe. Kuka AG, a top German industrial robotics manufacturer, offers the KUKA KR10 SCARA robot family, designed for customers needing highly reliable and precise automation solutions. This robot includes 600 mm and 850 mm reach models and handles a 10 kg payload. Such factors boost regional market growth.

In North America, an increase in technological advancements and growth in nanotechnology and other segments is expected to boost the growth. Similarly, the rise in polymer, semiconductors manufacturing, and fiber-optics industries is anticipated to fuel the market growth. The key factor that drives the North American market is the surge in the need for automation. Companies are automating their processes at a rapid pace to meet the increasing market demand. Additionally, the rise in the cost of manufacturing labor urges companies to adopt robots. Growth in the e-commerce industry presents opportunities for the market players. North American region includes the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The U.S. dominates the regional market owing to growth in several industries, namely, electronics, food and beverages, and rubbers and plastics over the forecast period. Some top-notch players, such as Fanuc, Kawasaki, and Panasonic Corporation, offer robots to various industries that ensure increased weld quality, minimized manufacturing costs, and improved quality.

LAMEA's market includes Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. High adoption of robotics in the region's small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and increased investments in education and research infrastructure help boost the demand for SCARA robots in Brazil, South Africa, and the Middle East. The high use of robotic technology allows unprecedented growth in these economies. The rise in the usage of robots in healthcare, agriculture, and food and beverage further creates opportunities for fast-growing economic countries.

Segmental Analysis

The global market is bifurcated into payload capacity, application, and industry verticals.

Based on payload capacity, the global market is bifurcated into up to 5.00 kg, 5.01–15.00 kg, and more than 15.00 kg. 

The 5.00 kg segment dominates the global market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.7% over the forecast period. The payload range of up to 5.00 kg SCARA robots is used in different applications, including inspection and testing, material handling, and dispensing. The low payload SCARA robots are widely used in high-speed pick and place applications, requiring high accuracy and repeatability of tasks. In addition, these robots are easily re-deployable due to their lower weight and small workplace.

The payload range of more than 15.00 kg SCARA robots is mainly used in automotive, metals, and machinery industries. These types of robots are used for assembly application and palettizing type applications. In addition, 20 kg robots are suitable for a wide range of laser welding, soldering, and cutting applications. Also, because of their internal cabling, these 20 kg SCARA robots can lift larger products and are considered compact robots.

Based on application, the global market is bifurcated into material handling, assembling and disassembling, welding and soldering, dispensing, processing, and others.

The material handling segment owns the highest market share and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 9.0% over the forecast period. Material handling includes machine tending, order picking, palletizing, dispensing, machine loading, packaging, and part transfer. Different types of robots are used in different material handling processes. For instance, SCARA robots pick and place work assembly operations and handle machine tools. The configuration of SCARA robots is unique and is developed to handle various material handling operations. In addition, the rising adoption of SCARA robots in electrical and electronics and food and beverages to perform handling operations such as pick and place, packaging, and sorting helps drive the SCARA robots during the forecast period.

The dispensing industry has witnessed rapid growth globally owing to a rise in construction activities and growth in the manufacturing and automotive industries. The dispensing application includes coating, sealing, finishing, extrusion, spraying, and others. SCARA robots in this application are ideal for high volume and large area dispensing, which require greater flexibility for automated manufacturing environments. Furthermore, the large SCARA robots cover larger surface areas than mini SCARA robots. Growth in emerging markets, the environmental advantages of powder coatings, productivity investments, lean manufacturing, and quick color change drive the market over the forecast period. Numerous opportunities for market expansion are anticipated to arise because of technological advancements and rising labor costs of specialized labor.

Based on industry verticals, the global market is divided into electrical and electronics, automotive, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, metal and machinery, and others. 

The electrical and electronics segment is the most significant contributor to the market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% over the forecast period. The electrical and electronics industry comprises electrical equipment manufacturing; electronic products manufacturing; and navigational, measuring electromedical, and control instruments. This industry involves operations with a high volume of goods; thus, robots help assemble–dissembling, pick-place, package, and transport goods. This industry is expected to increase robot investments in production automation and retooling for new production processes.

In addition, the electronics segment uses many robots driven by the need for speed, precision, and quality. SCARA robots are used in this industry to build and program, and handle display screens, connectors, and printed circuit boards (PCB). Robots must precisely place, locate, and assemble components in the electronics and electrical industry. The rise in the adoption of SCARA robots in the electrical and electronics industry to perform handling operations and high investment in production automation is expected to boost the market.

In machinery applications, robots help to sort, transport, and pick-place the right product, as they possess different dimensions and configurations. These robots help design the mechanical components and parts, assemble them on the assembly belt, and transport them. The metal industry includes facilities that produce metal products from metal ore or scrap metal. Metals can be refined, molten metal can be cast into desired shapes, or the inputs for casting or refining can be produced in plants. The working environment in this industry is mostly hostile. Metal wires, metal sheets, tools, utensils, metallic components for construction, engines, turbines, compressors, ovens, and other machinery are mainly stored in warehouses.

Furthermore, the key factor contributing to growth in the machinery segment is the need to optimize the total cost of ownership (TCO). The global rise in industrial and manufacturing infrastructure drives the demand for SCARA robots in this market for precise, efficient, speedy, and reliable cutting, sharpening, and milling operations. Thus, this, in turn, is expected to offer growth opportunities for the market.

Recent Developments

• February 2023- OMRON, a global automation expert based in the Netherlands, introduced its new i4H SCARA robots optimized for ESD and cleanroom environments, for instance, in the digital and automotive industries, such as semiconductor fabrication.

• February 2023- FANUC introduced two new SCARA pick-and-place robots: the pedestal-mounted, cleanroom-standard SR-3iA/C three-axis and SR-6iA/C four-axis SR robots. Ideal for replacing manual labor in handling duties, they also feature innovative anti-contamination features that meet the highest safety and hygiene standards in even the most challenging pharmaceutical environments.