The Professional Association of Robotics, Automation and Innovation (PARAi) expects an increase of nearly 10% (9.8%) of industrial robots installed in Bulgaria in 2024. In 2023, a total of 85 robots were integrated by association members in the country.

"This growth, according to our observations, in 2024 so far is mainly due to four sectors - the chemical industry, metals, e-commerce - distribution centers and warehouses, and the production of machinery and electronic equipment," he said in an interview with BTA Vice President of PARAi Yonko Chuklev. He was contacted about the upcoming Robotics Strategy Forum (RSF2024) to be held in Sofia at the end of September.

Chuklev recalled that national statistics report growth in the chemical industry of 27.5% in May and 33.8% in June, in metals - 19.1% in May and 25.4% in June, respectively in electronic commerce and in particular distribution centers and warehouses serving e- commerce, as well as in machinery and electronics manufacturing - a sector that, according to the Association's observations, remains key for the customers of automation companies.

The trend in 2023 and 2024 is that many small and medium-sized Bulgarian enterprises are investing in industrial robots and this has created "replacement demand", said the vice president of PARAi.

Increasing the supply of Bulgarian robots

Another trend that the Association hopes will strengthen is related to the increased availability of automation solutions due to the increased supply of Bulgarian robots. So far, most robots and machines on the Bulgarian market are imported, but more and more Bulgarian companies are offering or developing their own robots, Chuklev said.

The Bulgarian company Kiberys has developed a SCARA 6-axis welding robot. Another Bulgarian company, Smart Farm Robotix, is developing an autonomous robot. "This company was a participant in our robotics incubator and was supported by the accelerator program of the European Innovation Council with an investment of 2.36 million euros," noted Chuklev.

The Bulgarian company Simobotics is creating the first Bulgarian autonomous mobile robot called Mito.

At the end of September, the Association organizes another edition of the Robotics Strategy Forum, which this year will be titled "New Horizons of Technology". The forum will take place at Sofia Tech Park, John Atanasoff Building, on September 26. Chuklev said that Bulgarian companies in the field of robotics, automation, smart manufacturing and industrial technologies will be represented at the forum. Managers, engineers, entrepreneurs, public figures, students and many young people interested in the field of technology will also participate in this event. Among the topics to be discussed are Nearshoring - an opportunity for growth in CEE, new factories and investments in Bulgaria in 2024, Bulgarian electronics entering global markets, the development of quantum technologies in Bulgaria, said Chuklev./BTA-KosovaPress