North American Robotics Market Sets New Records in 2015

Robot orders and shipments in North America set new records in 2015, according to Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry’s trade group. A total of 31,464 robots valued at $1.8 billion were ordered from North American companies during 2015, an increase of 14% in units and 11% in dollars over 2014. Robot shipments also set new records, with 28,049 robots valued at $1.6 billion shipped to North American customers in 2015. Shipments grew 10% in units and 9% in dollars over the previous records set in 2014.

The automotive industry was the primary driver of growth in 2015, with robot orders increasing 19% year over year. Non-automotive robot orders grew 5% over 2014. The leading non-automotive industry in 2015 in terms of order growth was semiconductors and electronics at 35%.

According to Alex Shikany, director of market analysis for RIA, the fastest growing applications for robot orders in North America in 2015 were coating and dispensing (+49%), material handling (+24%), and spot welding (+22%). RIA estimates that some 260,000 robots are now at use in North American factories, which is third to Japan and China in robot use.