2025 Marks the Rise of the Flexible Manufacturing Robot

AUSTIN, Texas - Feb. 12, 2025 - PRLog -- Is 100% Automation in Factory Assembly Achievable? Some Leading Manufacturers Say Yes

Factory automation through robotics continues to evolve with increasing sophistication year after year. However, the question remains: when will we reach a point where human workers are entirely integrated out of the manufacturing process?

The answer may be closer than expected.

In a groundbreaking move, Denso, the renowned Japanese Tier-1 automotive components supplier and member of the Toyota Group, has announced plans to begin construction on a cutting-edge, fully automated facility in Nishio City, Japan, in the first half of 2025. The $480 million facility will operate without the need for traditional human factory workers, marking a significant leap forward in automation.

According to Denso, the new facility will feature a flexible production system driven by extensive component standardization, enabling production lines to seamlessly switch between different products.

Upon opening in 2028, the factory's production lines will operate autonomously, running unmanned 24 hours a day. Advanced computerized cameras and sensors will oversee the flow of goods and materials, while automated robotic systems will handle the loading and unloading process. A standby human crew will be on hand to monitor operations and intervene for repairs or issue resolution as needed.

In October of this year, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation hosted a technology demonstration day to unveil their next-generation robotic manufacturing innovations. Under the newly introduced E-FOREST smart factory initiative, the companies showcased several advanced robotic solutions tailored for specific automotive assembly tasks. Notable among these is HOSE, an AI-based vision algorithm designed to recognize irregular flexible parts and pinpoint optimal handling locations. Other cutting-edge systems include an infinite multi-axis holding fixture, which utilizes computer vision to safely manage large body panels, and an automated alignment system engineered to assemble the heavy wing components for Hyundai's forthcoming "flying cars," or urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles, with an impressive 0.025 mm precision.

Next Generation Specialty Robots are Taking on More Industrial/Manufacturing Tasks

Automotive assembly factories are not alone. Many industry manufacturing sectors are readying their operations for an influx of new specialized robotic systems. Here are just a few interesting examples that illustrate how specialty robots could revolutionize production processes in manufacturing:

• Metal Panel Work in Aerospace Manufacturing

Forming complex sheet metal parts in low-volume production industries – such as aerospace – has long required the use of highly skilled technicians to form, shape, trim, drill, and finish sheet metal to meet the exact drawing specifications.

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