Orders and shipments of robotics in North America broke all-time records in 2016 according to a new report by the Robotic Industries Association (RIA), a member organization of the Association for Advancing Automation.
During 2016, 34,606 robots were ordered in North America, representing growth of 10 percent in units over 2015. The automotive industry grew 17 percent. Units shipped to North American customers also grew by 10 percent, with 30,875 robots shipped in 2016. Shipments into the automotive market grew 25 percent relative to 2015.
Orders for robots rose 61 percent in assembly applications and increased 24 percent in spot welding. The food and consumer goods industry increased orders for robots by 32 percent in 2016.
The robotics industry is poised to break more records this year at Automate 2017, North America’s largest automation exhibition and conference April 3-6 in Chicago. According to the RIA, more than 300 exhibitors and a record 20,000 attendees are expected to gather.
