According to a soon-to-be-released report from Business Communications Co., Inc. (BCC), "RG-270 Robots/Automation Devices," the current global robotics market, which is composed of both whole robots and robot parts, is estimated at over $8 billion. It is estimated to reach $16 billion by 2007 as it grows at an average annual growth rate of 14.7% through the forecast period. Although robots used in industrial processes will continue to be applied to currently automated manufacturing activities, the most pronounced gains in whole-robot consumption will be reflected in the now-in-development families of mobile robots. Autonomous mechanical creatures, by 2007, will find their way into current environments primed for cost-effective automated control. These environments include hospitals, battlefields and the home.

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