Motion Control

Motion Control

Motion control is the mechanism where the movement of machinery is done by using rotatory and linear actuators. It is the sub-field of the automation process, whereby position or velocity machines are being controlled with the help of devices such as electric motors, linear actuators, hydraulic pumps, or a servo motor. Motion control helps an organization to increase its consistency, boost the production level, and offer high speed, and greater accuracy, which leads to cost optimization.

The Motion Control Market is expected to grow at a steady rate of around 5.34%, owing to the growing need for increased manufacturing accuracy and efficiency through more energy usage. Also, the need for collaborative robots (cobots) with built-in motion control systems is growing, mainly because companies seek to gain efficiency to offset labor costs. However, the growing trend towards sustainability and rigorous energy use has boosted the uptake of motion control systems, particularly in the manufacturing process of electric vehicles where most robotic processes require high levels of accuracy.

• Based on the offering, the market is segmented into actuators and mechanical systems, drives, motors, motion controllers, sensors and feedback services, and software and services. The motors segment held a significant share of the market in the year 2023 and is expected to behave in the same fashion in the forecast period. The growing adoption of automation in the manufacturing sector and other industries has significantly created the demand for motors. As motor is the core and fundamental component of the automation process in any industry. Furthermore, the ongoing developments in the motor have increased efficiency and productivity which has reduced the operational cost and improved the company’s revenue, further escalating the demand for motors in the motion control market. For instance, in February 2024, ABB launched the world’s first IE5 SynRM (synchronous reluctance motor) series with the launch of a new version that combines the benefits of ultra-premium energy efficiency with highly effective liquid cooling. The new design sets a new benchmark for high power output and reliability in a compact footprint. The newly launched motor is more efficient and reliable which optimizes the total cost of ownership (TCO) through lower energy consumption.
• Based on the industry, the market is segmented into aerospace and defense, automotive, metals & machinery manufacturing, healthcare, semiconductors & electronics, and others. The automotive segment held a significant share of the market in the year 2023 and is expected to behave in the same fashion in the forecast period. The automotive industry worldwide is growing significantly due to the adoption of electric vehicles and the stringent government regulations to control carbon emissions. With the increasing demand for EVs, the demand for motion control increases as it ensures precision in battery assembly and powertrain manufacturing. To overcome the demand for EVs, companies are adopting smart manufacturing processes and automation which reduces downtime and boosts the demand for motion control globally. Furthermore, the ongoing development of autonomous vehicles and ADAS requires a precise control system for cameras, sensors, and steering mechanisms. Therefore, with the growing automotive industry, the demand for motion control has seen a foreseeable growth in the forecast period.
• Based on the system, the market is categorized into an open-loop System and a closed-loop System. The closed-loop system segment is expected to experience significant growth in the forecast period. The closed-loop system is highly considered over the open-loop system due to its greater efficiency, precise work, and ability to work in real-time by error correctness. Moreover, with the growing adoption of automation in various industries such as manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and electronics, the closed-loop system can continuously monitor the feedback from sensors and then adjust the output for optimal performance. These industries have further fueled the adoption of closed-loop systems compared to open-loop systems.
• For a better understanding of the market adoption of motion control, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in countries such as North America (The US, Canada, and the Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, The UK, France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of World. The Asia Pacific region held the majority share of the market in the year 2023 due to various factors such as the region being the emerging manufacturing hub. Factors such as the presence of the largest manufacturing companies due to cheap labor costs, and growing innovation parallelly supported the market growth. Countries such as China, India, Indonesia, and South Korea produce a wide range of vehicle components including battery management systems, drives, and motors. These components require efficient and reliable motors, which consequently drive the motion control market. Government support such as India’s PLI Scheme for automobiles and auto components which comes under the Department of Heavy Industries has boosted the production of machinery, further increasing the adoption of automation and robotics, therefore driving the motion control market. For instance, in 2023, according to the report published by IFR (International Federation of Robotics), a total of 553,052 industrial robot installations will be in factories around the world. Among them, 73% of all newly deployed robots were installed in Asia. This has fueled the demand for motion control in the region and is one of the most important factors for the domination of the global market. Japan is one of the most technologically advanced countries in terms of the automotive industry with the presence number of global automotive players such as Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and others. This will allow manufacturers to install technologically advanced solutions that optimize processes and reduce day-to-day expenses. To achieve this, companies need to install robotics mechanisms or cobots, which drive the motion control market. Moreover, according to the report published by JAMA (Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc.), with an increase in manufacturing, the country's automotive shipments reached 63 trillion Yen in 2022, up 11.4% from the previous year. Moreover, the country has increased its exports to 4,422,682 units in 2023. Motor vehicle exports increased in 2023 from the previous year to North America (1.72 million units), Europe (775,100 units), the Middle East (490,000 units), Oceania (469,000 units), and Latin America (277,000 units), but decreased to Asia (575,000 units) and Africa (107,000 units). The increased production and export of vehicles boosted the demand for the market.
• Some of the major players operating in the market include ABB, FANUC CORPORATION, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Rockwell Automation, Parker Hannifin Corporation, Bosch Rexroth Corporation, OMRON Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and STMicroelectronics.