Is the robot revolution in full swing?
The data suggests that it just might be. Sales of industrial robots in North America hit an all-time high in 2011, according to new data from the Robotic Industries Association.
Companies in North America bought 19,337 robots valued at $1.17 billion in 2011, topping the previous record of 18,228 robots sold in 2005, according to the association.
When sales by North American robot suppliers to companies outside North America are included, the totals are 22,126 robots valued at $1.35 billion.
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| Sales of industrial robots in North America hit an all-time high in 2011, according to the Robotic Industries Association. (Photo courtesy Fanuc Robotics America Corp.) |
Orders for robots in North America jumped 47% in units and 38% in dollar value compared with 2010, according to RIA.
The automotive industry helped drive the uptick in demand for industrial robots, noted Paul Kellett, director of market analysis for RIA.
Sales of robots to automotive-component suppliers in North America increased 77% in 2011, while sales to automotive OEMs shot up 59%, according to Kellett.
But the industry saw gains in other sectors as well. Sales to non-automotive customers grew 27%, led by metalworking industries (up 56%) and semiconductor/electronics/photonics (up 24%), according to the association.
Companies increased their use of robots in a number of applications, according to RIA, including spot welding (up 78%), arc welding (66%), assembly (63%), coating and dispensing (42%) and material handling (30%).
