Robotics has existed in manufacturing for decades, but according to Keypoint Intelligence Principal Analyst Mark Boyt, the print industry may be approaching an inflection point. During a recent Dscoop Automation Club session, Boyt shared research showing strong interest among print providers in robotics and physical automation, particularly as businesses look to improve efficiency, address labor shortages, and better connect production workflows.
One of the clearest findings is the level of market interest. Keypoint's research found that 42% of respondents are actively looking at robotics solutions, while another 31% are considering them for the future. When asked about timing, 38% said they expect to purchase robotics technology within the next year, with many others anticipating investments within one to three years. For Boyt, those numbers point toward a significant acceleration in adoption.
The research also highlights where print companies see the greatest opportunities. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and other material-handling solutions are generating the most interest. While software workflow automation has received significant attention over the past decade, Boyt argues that robotics can help address what he described as the "physical side" of production — moving media, transporting work between departments, and reducing manual touchpoints throughout the manufacturing process.
Cost, integration concerns, and uncertainty around return on investment remain barriers. However, respondents indicated that declining robotics costs, rising labor, expenses and advances in workflow automation are helping change the equation. A recurring theme throughout the discussion is that robotics should not be viewed as a future project that begins only after workflow automation is complete. Instead, participants suggest that digital and physical automation often advance together, with robotics providing valuable production data and creating new opportunities for process improvement.
