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For First Time on Record, Yearly Non-Automotive Robotic Orders Higher Than Automotive Orders

Daniel Nenni

Admin
Staff member
Additional high point: fourth quarter of 2020 was second-best quarter for robot orders

January 28, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the first time, yearly orders of robots from non-automotive sectors surpassed automotive robot orders, as sales of robotic units in North America increased 3.5% in 2020 from 2019. This growth was driven by a strong Q4 that was the second-best quarter ever for North American robotic sales with a 63.6% increase over Q4 2019.

Robot sales in North America increased 3.5% last year, with non-automotive overtaking #automotive robotic orders for the first time, reports @RIA_Robotics, part of @a3automate. Q4 & year-end numbers showed vigorous growth despite the pandemic. #automation
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Industry statistics – released today by the Robotic Industries Association (RIA), part of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) – show that North American companies ordered 31,044 robotic units, valued at $1.572 billion in 2020. In Q4, companies ordered 9,972 units valued at $479 million.

“The surge in robot orders that we’re seeing, despite the pandemic, demonstrates the growing interest in robotic and automation solutions,” said Jeff Burnstein, A3 President. “It’s promising to see the growth of robotics in new applications and reaching a wider group of users than ever before.”

Year-over-year orders in life sciences increased by 69%, food and consumer goods grew by 56%, and plastics and rubber saw a 51% increase. Automotive orders increased 39% in 2020.

“In 2020, we saw two trends in particular that propelled growth in non-automotive orders for robotics technology,” said John Bubnikovich, Chief Regional Officer – North America, KUKA Robotics. “First, the automation competence level in general industry has grown, and that matured into greater demand for the technology. Second, consumer behavior shifted significantly and the expectations created by this shift were tough to satisfy without automation.”

At the same time, Bubnikovich said, supply chain disruptions and instability in the workforce made industries accelerate automation strategies.
The same trends are being noticed by other major robot manufacturers.

“With the changes in people’s personal buying behavior caused by COVID, robots have been utilized in record numbers to allow for the fulfillment of orders in the e-commerce space while allowing for correct social distancing practices,” said Dean Elkins, Segment Leader – Handling, Yaskawa Motoman. “In addition, robots largely aided in the production of personal protection and testing equipment and the medical devices needed to keep our society healthy and safe.”

“We have seen a substantial increase in activity in non-automotive sectors, as customers focus on making their production lines more flexible and better able to efficiently achieve high mix, lower volume production in response to constantly evolving customer demands,” says Mark Joppru, Vice President – Consumer Segment & Service Robotics, US ABB Robotics and Machine Automation. “In food applications, for example, where robots were traditionally used to automate simpler processes like case loading, they are increasingly being commissioned for higher value processes, like directly preparing food, resulting in improvements to food safety and hygiene. While these trends have existed for several years, COVID has changed perceptions and priorities for customers, accelerating the adoption of robotic automation.”

In August of 2020, A3 reported on the strain to supply chains and economic uncertainty due to COVID-19. Alex Shikany, A3 Vice President, Membership & Business Intelligence, noted that despite a drop in orders, industry leaders showed optimism about the remainder of 2020, and accurately predicted the strong finish to 2020.

“The pandemic has created a sense of urgency for manufacturing companies to invest in automation like never before,” said Mike Cicco, President and CEO of FANUC America. “Traditionally, companies have implemented automation to reduce cost, increase output, and improve quality. However, the pandemic has added an additional factor that is driving manufacturers to re-examine their supply chain to increase flexibility, minimize disruptions, and move it closer to their customers. With this mindset, there are more opportunities for scaling robotic applications across multiple facilities, especially for larger companies. The untapped potential for automation is a promising sign for our industry; the opportunities for automation today are truly limitless.”

To help educate users and potential users about how to successfully apply robotics and automation, A3 will hold Automate Forward, the premier virtual automation trade show and conference. Register free and join industry peers March 22-26 to hear from more than 80 speakers and see the latest technologies from more than 160 leading automation suppliers.

About Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
In the spring of 2021, the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) will become the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the global advocate for the benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done. RIA is one of four allied associations, including AIA - Advancing Vision + Imaging, Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA), and A3 Mexico, that will transform into A3. Combined, these associations represent over 1,100 automation manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups and consulting firms from throughout the world that drive automation forward.

A3 hosts a number of industry-leading events, including the new virtual Automate Forward (March 22-26, 2021) and the Automate Show & Conference (June 6-9, 2022, in Detroit, MI).

www.a3automate.org

Contacts​

Jackie Rose
Association for Advancing Automation
(734) 929-3264
jrose@a3automate.org
 
Killer robots are coming, absolutely.

Just watch the latest season of BattleBots and you will see what I mean. I'm just waiting for a Tesla sponsored team then we will be in serious trouble.
 
Robotic buildings are the next step, below is an example of the latest. These take efficiency of space, energy and logistics to the next level. These buildings in the future will be supplied and distribute goods by automous trucks and maybe even drone aircraft of many stripes. In the near future we will have many more factories that operate dark or without people much of the time. Plants doing this, have been going this way for years and many run a night shift without anyone being there. The savings in light and heat are near total and soon many plants will just have robotic floors with little or few people at all. The next step will be further automating professions like law. Their are and have been for years many companies that have automated legal research to a great degree. The automation of everything is coming and accelerating in the "Great Acceleration"

 
The problems people cause are different than machines. Machines break down and you'll need technicians and mechanics to maintain them. More machines mean more technicians which are too few now. The company I work for now that is a giant multinational corporation prefers people to technology. The only technology there are computers and forklifts because they don't have the technical people. Operating the equipment is analogous to driving a freightliner. You need people to put product on pallets and wrap as well as forklift drivers.
 
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