Now, more than ever, robotics companies are making headlines. The growth of robotic technology is being billed as a revolution, and it’s one that’s sweeping the globe and redefining what it means to be cutting edge in nearly every modern industry. Robots are performing surgeries, fulfilling Internet orders, assembling electronics, exploring Mars and even milking cows.

The election process

Recognizing just 50 of the many thousands of technologies powering our everyday lives wasn’t easy.

Robotics Business Review’s editorial team and an advisory board of industry luminaries looked to Europe, Asia, Oceana and the Americas to identify risk-takers in today’s key application areas. What we discovered along the way was an industry vast in scope and yet rich with partnerships.

Nominations were cast based on game-changing applications, commercial success and/or commercial potential; a ballot of 150 finalists was then whittled down to a final 50 by popular vote.

And here’s the breakdown:

• 36% represent materials handling
• 4% represent the household consumer market
• 10% represent the defense market
• 22% represent the healthcare market
• 4% represent the agriculture market
• 4% represent the mining market
• 4% supply robots for space exploration
• 4% supply robotics software for new industrial applications
• 12% supply robotic hardware and/or software to the research and education community

Interactive tool: company information in a nutshell

This list represents the robotics industry in diverse markets and at multiple levels; it includes public and private companies, each with a specialty in technology that is altering the world as we know it. 

Some companies specialize in the software that propels new robotic applications, others are integral to research, develop robots for the home, or build the smart machines behind modern manufacturing.

Robotics Business Review will continue to follow these 50 companies throughout the year. We will report on their products and business health to keep our readers informed on where they stand in the market and why.

Advanced user experience

The RBR50 list is meant to be a tool for you, our readers, to compare and contrast technologies in important robotics markets as well as keep an eye on current and future trends and investment opportunities.

Without going from company website to website to search out product information and breaking news, the RBR50 neatly collocates essential company information as well as media coverage, financial reports and videos in a single place. Visitors highly enjoy its convenience and ease of use.

Members gain access to stock charts and bi-annual market analysis of each public company in addition to in-depth editorial and special market outlooks on all 50.

You may recognize some of these names from headlines, other companies you may be encountering for the first time; either way, our goal is to annually introduce you to a very special sampling of the robotics industry and keep you tuned to the pulse of tomorrow’s technology. The votes are in! Download the list to take a look for yourself!

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About the author

Casey Nobile

Casey Nobile is the lead editor for Robotics Business Review’s RBR50 news, editorial and business segment. She is also contributing writer and editor for the publication’s News & Technology columns with special emphasis on breaking news coverage for science, technology and financial transactions. Casey is also editor and contributor for other in-house publications: Robotics Trends; RoboBusiness and RoboBusiness exhibit services.