Study: 2016 breaks records for North American robot orders
Robot orders surged 61% in assembly applications while food and consumer goods orders increased 32%.
The Robotic Industries Association (RIA), Ann Arbor, Mich., announced that in 2016, the North American robotics market broke all-time records for orders and shipments. During the year, 34,606 robots valued at approximately $1.9 billion were ordered in North America, representing growth of 10% in units over 2015. Units shipped to North American customers also grew by 10%, with 30,875 robots valued at $1.8 billion shipped in 2016.
Strength in Q4
The fourth quarter of 2016 alone saw North American orders of 10,621 robots valued at $561 million, a growth rate of 18% in units ordered and 21% in revenue over the fourth quarter of 2015. Q4 shipments grew 33% on a unit basis with shipments of 8,825 robots valued at $494 million.