Strong Year for Robotics

The North American robotics market recorded its strongest year ever in 2012, according to new statistics from Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry’s trade group. The data show that a total of 22,598 robots valued at $1.48 billion were sold to companies in North America that year, beating the previous record of 19,337 robots sold in 2011. When including sales by North American robot suppliers to companies outside North America, those numbers increase to 25,557 robots valued at $1.66 billion.

 

The automotive industry has continued to be the strongest driver of the North American robotics market, with sales to automotive OEMS increasing 47 percent and sales to automotive components suppliers increasing 21 percent. Sales also increased by 12 percent in metalworking industries and by 3 percent in life sciences/pharmaceuticals. In terms of applications, increases were seen in assembly (+40 percent), spot welding (+37 percent), arc welding (+24 percent), coating and dispensing (+13 percent) and material handling (+3 percent).

Robotic Industries Association, call 734-994-6088 or visit robotics.org.