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MOTORINDIA
l
July 2012
53
According to Mr. Olaf Gehrels, President, FANUC
Luxembourg Corporation S.A., FANUC sold 30,000 ro-
bots globally last year, almost 60 per cent of which for
the automotive sector. The major markets include North
America, Europe and Asia. The Indian market is very
important. About 8,000 robots were sold in Europe. The
Chinese market demand will drive further manufacturing
towards Asia.
FANUC has a broad range of products, the smallest one
to handle 500g upto the M2000 which can handle 1,350
kg. 80 models covering 1,350 kg of payload weight.
Mr. Manfred Gundel, Chief Executive Officer,
KUKA Roboter GmbH, said: “We look at India from
the automotive side. We have the combination of lo-
cal and European JVs. The degree of automation from
the European JVs is 60% higher and the local JVs, at
around 20-30%. Most robots turned out are based on a
higher degree of automation”.
In the automotive industry, KUKA is the only one
to have a single modular system for 9 kg up to 300 kg.
From a payload of more than 250 kg, it has a heavier ro-
bot, which is of course more expensive. The company
products are of less weight, consuming lower energy.
Almost 50 per cent of the company robots are for the
automotive sector and the other half for general indus-
try.
Growing markets in India, Brazil and China do not
use the same technology as in Europe. KUKA is indeed a complete solution provider for industry applications
across all markets.
Referring to the leading customers of the company, Mr. Gundel said, Daimler uses KUKA’s control system
for the cabins. The small robots made by the company are more flexible than the bigger ones. Light-weight
robots are suitable for the automotive sector.
A new advanced robot which is undergoing trials can work like an assistant to a factory worker in the manu-
facturing line, according to Mr. Paul Kho, Head of Corporate Communications, KUKA Roboter GmbH.
Mr. Olaf Gehrels, President,
Fanuc Luxembourg Corporation S.A.
Mr. Manfred Gundel, CEO, KUKA Roboter GmbH