Mecademic Industrial Robotics, a leader in micro-automation, is set to expand its presence in the high-growth medical devices and electronics markets, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
The company plans to launch two new products by mid-2025, targeting the optics, photonics, and medical device industries, according to Philippe Beaulieu, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), in an exclusive interview with DIGITIMES Asia.
"We are seeing the fastest growth in the Asia-Pacific markets, particularly in countries such as South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia," said Beaulieu. "The Asia-Pacific shows the highest growth potential, with rates exceeding 50%, and is expected to accelerate further as we increase investments and form strategic partnerships with companies such as JYTC."
The company strategically positions its products through close partnerships, such as JYTC in Taiwan, to integrate solutions effectively. Recognizing Taiwan's strategic role in semiconductors, Mecademic seeks to leverage these partnerships to enhance its products, integrate new technologies, and maintain a global competitive edge. Examples of current Taiwanese suppliers include Yeh Der Enterprise Co., Ltd., and Kuen Bong Chemical Industry Corp.
By incorporating Taiwan's innovative culture and technological advancements, Mecademic aims to provide cutting-edge products worldwide, meeting the growing automation needs of semiconductor fabs in America and Japan.
"Despite being newer to this market and having focused less on marketing and partnerships, we recognize the substantial opportunity," Beaulieu said. Mecademic's current company-wide growth target is 35% year-over-year, while the United States (specifically California) and Europe (particularly Germany and Switzerland) remain its largest markets.
Founded in 2013 in Montreal, Canada, by Jonathan Coulombe, a former CNC machinist, and robotics professor Ilian Bonev, Mecademic initially aimed to teach robotics in the academic market. However, their small six-axis robot quickly gained industrial interest due to its compact size and high precision, boasting a five-micron repeatability. This unexpected demand shifted the company's focus to industrial markets to fill such a gap. Today, Mecademic continues to serve industries needing these specialized robots, stemming from the collaboration between a student and professor.
Mecademic's primary markets include medical devices, accounting for 20% of its business, and electronics, representing 25%. The company is also experiencing rapid growth in medical technologies, such as biotech lab automation and laser photonics, focusing on applications like lidars for cars and various consumer and industrial products.
Credit: Mecademic
Making semiconductor industry inroads
Mecademic's robots, including six-axis and SCARA four-axis models, occupy a unique niche between traditional industrial robots, custom gantry or cartesian systems, and hexapods. Unlike large, traditional robots often used in automotive sectors or custom-built systems designed from scratch, Mecademic's robots offer a scalable, flexible, and precise solution. They address applications that typically require unique manufacturing cells and machines that include integration to various automation solutions.
Its products have been sold in 40 countries, with top markets including high-end manufacturing sectors like medical devices, electronics, aerospace and automotive components, and watchmaking in California, Germany, and Switzerland. In Asia, strong markets include South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, driven by the demand for precision and manufacturing in space optimization.
Since launching their product, Mecademic has made significant progress in the electronics market, collaborating with some of the largest global companies and brands. They've also expanded into the medical devices sector, working with major companies with extensive worldwide supply chains.
A rapidly growing market for Mecademic, where Taiwan plays a significant role, is the laser, optics, and photonics market. This sector is increasingly important as many future products will rely on optics and photonics to deliver numerous innovative technologies in many high-end product sectors. Mecademic is well-positioned to assist manufacturers in producing these advanced devices.
Mecademic leverages the local network of its strategic partner JYTC to showcase Mecademic's micro robots. Barry Kuo, a General Manager of JYTC, recalled the experience of demonstrating automation of shop-floor machinery polishing work by Mecademic robots. "The time-consuming work which used to be done by human workers in days was efficiently and precisely completed by the micro-robots, and the customers were very pleased," said Kuo.
Collab Vision Robot. Credit: Mecademic
Increasing presence in Asia-Pacific
Mecademic's strategic focus on developing high-end, durable products tailored for industrial use is underpinned by five key differentiators: repeatability and accuracy, best in-class resolution for precise movements, minimal jitter and vibration, small and compact form factors, and ease of integration. As Beaulieu emphasized, the company plans to expand its presence in markets demanding high-quality and specialized solutions over the next five years, broadening its portfolio to target specific applications and solidify its expertise and leadership in the small precision robotics sector.
"From a corporate perspective, we have a big year ahead of us. Not only are we going to continue to grow and support our customers around the world with our current products, but we will also expand with more products," Beaulieu added.
Highlighting their commitment to growth and innovation, Mecademic will participate in the Automation Taipei - Taiwan Automation Intelligence and Robot Show (Booth No.S1006) from August 21-24, 2024, at the Nankang Exhibition Center. This event will provide an excellent platform for Mecademic to showcase its advanced micro-robotic solutions and further strengthen its foothold in the Asia-Pacific region.
With strategic partnerships and a clear vision, Mecademic is well-positioned to lead the market in small precision robotics, driving innovation and efficiency in industrial automation worldwide.
Philippe Beaulieu Credit: Mecademic
