Predictions for Robotic Businesses in 2010 and this decade

Sector by sector review in Everything-Robotic blog.

Mature non-defense service applications doing well in 2010 and are generating longer term growth. Two examples:
(1) Kiva Systems doubled customers, distribution centers and corporate growth during 2009.
(2) Many companies are finding good response to new launches and existing quality products, e.g.: OC Robotics snake arm line of products for confined space, aerospace, security and nuclear needs.

Governmental and military purchases for R&D and robotic products are steady even though defense spending has to come down sometime in the near future, e.g.: DARPA awarded Boston Dynamics a contract to develop LS3 – a “mule” that will carry 400 lbs and go 20 miles without refueling.

Xconomy says the first large technological wave of the 21st century will be robotics. “Robots are migrating from structured environments (assembly lines) to unstructured (homes, offices, battlefields). The potentials are limitless.”