Kara was previously chief research officer and co-founder at Myria Ras, a research and advisory services firm focused on automation, robotics and intelligent systems trends. He was also president of Robotics Trends, an integrated media and research firm serving the personal, service and mobile robotics markets.

Other roles have included executive vice-president of Intermedia Group, director of research at Ullo International, and chief technical officer of Software Productivity Group as well as developing and chairing a number of robotics conferences.

ABI Research chief research officer Stuart Carlaw said: “The addition of Dan to our team will allow our clients to have access to the most comprehensive market information on what will prove to be one of the most significant future tech trends that will affect the way we work, travel and live. Evolution in software, sensors, articulation, and manipulation now make robots a near-term opportunity rather than a long-term prospect.”