Report

PSA Technology: Is Robotics to be Part of the Current Semiconductor Boom, or a Separate One?

News that Fanuc (6954 JT) is integrating Nvidia’s (NVDA US) robotic tools into its own software solutions is a reminder that, for all the focus on where large language models like ChatGPT can take us, these solutions remain very much in the virtual realm. The next big breakthrough in AI would come when such models can deliver fully spatially aware, autonomous mobile products, be these self-drive cars or industrial robots, and to do so at a price and quality that is commercially viable. Analysts Pelham Smithers and William Nestuk discuss.
Underlyings
Alphabet Inc. Class A

Alphabet is a holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the company is engaged in a collection of businesses, which its primary business is Google. The company reports all non-Google businesses collectively as Other Bets. Google's main products and platforms are Android, Chrome, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, Google Play, Search, and YouTube. The company also provides advertisers with tools that help them attribute and measure their advertising campaigns. In addition, Other Bets includes Access, Calico, CapitalG, GV, Verily, Waymo, and X, among others. Other Bets primarily engages in the sales of internet and TV services through Access as well as licensing and research and development services through Verily.

DMG MORI CO. LTD.

DMG MORI and its affiliates are mainly engaged in the manufacture and sale of machine tools and the provision of technical assistance. Co.'s primary products include CNC lathes, vertical-type and horizontal-type machining centers, multi-axis machines and grinding machines. In addition, Co., through its subsidiaries, is involved in the development of software for machine tools; the overhaul of used machine tools; the design, manufacture and sale of machine tools related equipment; and the manufacture and sale of grinding machine, automotive parts, mold parts and machine tools parts.

Fanuc Corporation

Fanuc is engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of CNC systems as well as application products based on its engineering. Co.'s principal products include Factory Automation (FA) products such as computer numeric control (CNC) systems and laser products; The Robot including collaborative robot, arc welding robot, palletizing robot, mini/small/medium/large size robot and paint robot; and the he Robo-machine such as robodrill(compact machining center), roboshot (electric injection molding machine), robocut (wire-cut electric discharge machine) and robonano (ultra precision machine).

Fujikura Ltd

Fujikura is mainly engaged in the manufacture, sale and installation of telecommunication cable, electric cable and electronic materials. Along with its affiliates, Co. operates in four business segments: power & telecommunication systems, electronics business, automotive products and real estate. Co.'s principal products include power cables, telecommunication cables, aluminum wires, enameled wires, optical fibers, optical fiber cables, telecommunication and optical components, fiber optic equipment, network equipment, flexible printed circuits, electronic wiring, HDD components, connectors, automotive wire harnesses, and others. Co. is also engaged in the leasing of real estate.

Fujitsu Limited

Fujitsu is the parent company of a group engaged in the information and communication technology businesses. Technology Solutions segment provides system integration, application development and integration, system consulting, IT and business process outsourcing services, cloud computing, SAP and Oracle applications services and managed infrastructure services (network and communication, technical and maintenance and service desk services). The segment also offers security platforms, servers, storage systems and software. Ubiquitous Solutions segment offers desktop PCs, notebook PCs, mobile phones and wearable devices. Device Solutions segment offers LSI devices and electronic components.

Harmonic Drive Systems

Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.

Harmonic Drive Systems is mainly engaged in the manufacture and sale of precision actuators and controllers of precision speed reducer equipment that combine motors and sensors, precision positioning devices and systems, as well as precision speed reducer equipment, and the sale of precision planet speed reducer equipment. Through its affiliates, Co. is also engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of harmonic drive products, mechatronics products, cast iron products, electronic devices for marine, industry, as well as information system equipment and hydraulic equipment. Co. provides products under the brand names "HarmonicDrive®," "AccuDrive®" and "Harmonicsyn®."

Nabtesco Corporation

Nabtesco is engaged in the design, manufacture, sales, and repair of industrial machinery and components. Co. operates in three business segments: component solutions, transport solutions and accessibility solutions. Co.'s principal products are high precision reducers and actuators for industrial robots, construction machinery, solar tracking equipment, automatic door drive units, automobile air-break systems, automatic testing/training equipment, connecting device, various types of actuators, remote control systems for marine vessels, automatic door systems, smoke exhausting systems and platform safety system as well as nursing care equipment and industrial equipment.

NEC Corp.

NEC is the parent company of a group engaged in the manufacture and sale of computers, software, communications equipment, and electric devices. Co. operates in four business segments: public, enterprise, telecom carrier, and system platform. Co. supplies integration, maintenance and support, and outsourcing services and system equipment for government, public and enterprises; network infrastructure to telecom carriers; hardware such as servers and mainframes, software, enterprise networks solutions. In addition, Co. also provides smart energy such as electrodes and energy storage systems, as well as smartphones, mobile phones, "BIGLOBE" Internet services and lighting equipment.

NVIDIA Corporation

NVIDIA engages in graphics processing unit (GPU)-based visual computing and accelerated computing platforms. The company has two segments, GPU and Tegra Processor, which are based on a single underlying architecture. The company's GPU product brands are aimed at markets including GeForce for gamers; Quadro for designers; Tesla and DGX for artificial intelligence data scientists and big data researchers; and GRID for cloud-based visual computing users. The company's Tegra brand integrates an entire computer onto a single chip, and incorporates GPUs and multi-core CPUs to drive supercomputing for autonomous robots, drones, and cars, as well as for game consoles and mobile gaming and entertainment devices.

Siemens AG

Siemens is a technology company. Co.'s Energy sector provides a range of products, solutions and services for generating and transmitting power. The Healthcare sector provides customers a range of medical solutions across the treatment chain. The Industry sector supplies products and solutions for industrial companies, primarily in the process and manufacturing industries. The Infrastructure & Cities sector provides a range of technologies that accelerates the capabilities of metropolitan centers and urban infrastructures. The Investments segment is comprised of Co.'s equity stakes in other companies. The Financial Services segment provides business-to-business financial solutions.

Tesla Inc

Tesla designs, develops, manufactures, sells and leases electric vehicles and energy generation and storage systems, and provides services related to its products. The company operates as two reportable segments: automotive, which includes the design, development, manufacturing, sales, and leasing of electric vehicles as well as sales of automotive regulatory credits; and energy generation and storage, which includes the design, manufacture, installation, sales, and leasing of solar energy generation and energy storage products, services related to such products, and sales of solar energy system incentives.

Yaskawa Electric Corporation

Yaskawa Electric and its affiliates are mainly engaged in the manufacture and sale of electric motors, industrial robots and industrial electrical control systems. Co.'s principal products include AC/DC servomotors, spindle motors for machine tools, programmable controllers, numerical controls, general-purpose/special-system inverters, industrial robots, clean robots, vacuum robots, transfer systems in clean/vacuum rooms, industrial electrical control systems for metal processing, cold rolling and paper making, water supply/sewage control systems, power receiving/distribution panels, circuit breakers, high-voltage switchgears, and energy-saving motor drivers.

Provider
Pelham Smithers Associates Ltd
Pelham Smithers Associates Ltd

Founded in 2009, Pelham Smithers Associates (PSA) provides market intelligence on Asian technology, focusing in particular on Japan. The industries covered by our team of specialists are: consumer electronics, telecomms, pharmaceuticals, internet, electronic parts and materials, automotive technology, retail and capital goods. 

PSA produces both company and sector reports. The focus of PSA’s research is to identify winners and losers as new technologies impact the top and bottom lines of corporations. Critical to our research is the clear explanation of how these new technologies work and how they impact companies and industries. 

The founding partners have worked closely together for twenty years and the team has more than doubled in size since 2012. 

Analysts
William Nestuk

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