The robotics industry is currently one of the most exciting and fast-growing sectors both in Denmark and the wider world.
As of February 2022, there are more than three million industrial robots on our planet and the industry is worth more than $18 billion, with this figure expected to rise to $59 billion by 2026.
With that in mind, we thought we would use this edition of the blog to take a deep-dive into the world of all things robot. And not least, to ask the question – what role can translation play in this fast-paced industry of the future?
What is the Robotics Industry?
Robotics is an expansive and crowded industry, spanning a broad range of areas such as agriculture, food and consumer goods to pharmaceuticals, life sciences and much more.
Put as simply as possible, robotics involves the development, manufacture and maintenance of mechanical robots which can manipulate products carefully and delicately, operate autonomously and often learn through AI.
Industrial robots can be programmed through a computer and can often operate in environments which are hazardous to humans, such as the depths of the ocean or outer space.
The industry holds great potential for the future. Robots have already revolutionised manufacturing processes, offering greater productivity, accuracy and efficiency than what can be achieved by humans. In the coming years, we will also see robots deployed more within medical settings – perhaps in delicate surgical procedures – and even within our homes where they can perform tasks such as cleaning the house and cooking the dinner.
Although these advances will inevitably mean changes to the ways we live and work – inevitably even threatening some jobs – robots ultimately offer the potential to enhance and improve our lives.
The Robotics Industry in Denmark
Denmark has become a hotbed for robotics development and has even been dubbed “the unlikely home of the robotics industry”, with the city of Odense in particular gaining widespread recognition as an important hub for global robotics.
Following the success of two early robotics companies in the city, Universal Robots and MiR, other robotics companies migrated to the region and the local municipality soon began investing heavily in what is known as the Odense robotics cluster. Today, the cluster includes 130 companies which employ 3,600 people and bring in a combined revenue of around €763 million to the region.
Both Odense and the country at large have ambitions to make robotics a key export market for Denmark in the future, and the number of jobs within this industry is expected to increase considerably. Some of the most notable and interesting companies operating in Denmark today include:
Blue Ocean Robotics: This start-up factory supports, scales and exits innovations, with its most recent product being a mobile robot which can be used for the autonomous disinfection of hospitals using cutting-edge UV technology. These so-called UVD robots are a uniquely Danish innovation with the potential to save lives and greatly enhance public health in the future, especially as they have arrived in the wake of COVID-19.
KOBOTS: This company has developed cutting robots for use in the construction industry which can make cuts in plasterboard based on voice commands from the trades people operating them. The company believes that this natural and very human way of operating machines can make construction processes go up to three times faster.
Fishi Robotics: Founded by Australian CEO Carl Chatfield, this start-up is seeking to develop autonomous underwater vehicles that can be used to carry out inspections of submerged structures such as ship hulls and harbour walls.
A prime case of robotic technology being put to use in environments which are unfriendly to humans, allowing us to achieve with much greater efficiency what previously would have been a very costly and risky operation.
Translations for the Robotics Industry
The robotics industry is very global in nature – spanning from Silicon Valley to Odense, Asia and beyond. So it goes without saying that language skills and translation will play an essential role in allowing the wheels of this industry to turn smoothly and unleash its potential.
But how specifically can translation agencies assist and play a role in the robotics revolution? The way we see it, there are three key areas where translation is crucial.
Communicating ideas
As with any venture that seeks to innovate and push the envelope, the robotics industry is as much about bright ideas and light-bulb moments as anything else. Brainwaves and gaps in the market then need to be translated into snappy and memorable soundbites that will catch the attention of potential investors and collaborators all over the world.
It is here that a masterful command of language and familiarity with the art of localisation can really help robotics companies to spread their ideas, broker connections and change the world. After all, if a company is to make a splash, the world needs to hear the waves.
Language-based applications
As is the case for KOBOTS above, many robotics companies actively work with natural, human speech – and not just in the one language. Robotic solutions often use natural language processing to learn and to receive commands, but in order for these applications to work, the robots need to be in tune with the natural syntax and rhythms of each and every language they are to understand.
Translators can therefore contribute through their language skills and ability to naturally transition from one language into another without diluting or altering the meaning of a text.
Technical terminology
Robotics is naturally a technical field replete with its own terminology and jargon. Misunderstandings can have severe consequences, especially in manuals and instructional texts, but even in contracts and agreements between international companies. Language proficiency is therefore sometimes not enough to ensure precise communication.
The industry requires expert translation assistance from agencies who work with experts in technical fields, and who have all the resources and tools required to ensure the accurate and consistent conveyance of technical terms.
Do you represent a robotics company in Denmark or the wider world?
Get in touch with us here at Comunica for a commitment-free chat to learn more about how we can assist you with translation services on your journey to transform the world through technology!