The North American robotics market has set new records to begin 2016, according to Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry’s trade group.
A total of 7,406 robots, valued at approximately $402 million, were ordered from North American companies during the first quarter of 2016. The number of units ordered in the first three months of 2016 is a new record among opening quarters, growing seven percent over the same period in 2015.
Order revenue, however, decreased by eight percent in the first quarter. Robot shipments also set a new opening quarter record, with 7,125 robots valued at $448 million being shipped to North American customers. This represents growth of two percent in units and 21% in dollars over the same quarter of last year.
“It is encouraging to see so many new companies adopting robotics for use in their operations,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of RIA. “Companies of all sizes are realizing that robots are more affordable than ever before and can help them increase their productivity to remain competitive in today’s global economy.”
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Burnstein noted that the RIA and its sister group AIA – Advancing Vision + Imaging, are seeing the impacts of the growth in demand for robotics and related automation in upcoming events, such as the International Collaborative Robots Workshop and The Vision Show, slated for May 3 to 5, 2016, in Boston.
“Collaborative robots are the hottest topic in robotics today, and we will have a record turnout in Boston for the workshop,” he said. “The Vision Show is also expected to have record attendance this year,” Burnstein added.
Registration and free show passes are available now, visit Robotics Online and Vision Online respectively for more information on these two collocated events.
RIA estimates that some 262,000 robots are now at use in North American factories, which is third to Japan and China in robot use.
