The impact of automation on global production is steadily growing, a new report showed that industrial robot sales reached a record level of USD 16.5 billion (EUR 14.9 billion) in 2018.
The latest World Robotics report from the International Robotics Federation (IFR) stated that 420,000 new robots were delivered last year, an increase of 6% compared to 2017.
IFR expects deliveries in 2019 to maintain an average increase of 12% per year.
"In 2018, we recorded dynamic results with a new sales record even though the major robot customers - the automotive and electronics industries - had a tough year," said Junji Tsuda, IFR president.
"Tensions between the US and China create uncertainty in the global economy - customers are postponing investments. However, it is exciting to see that, for the first time, 400,000 robot installations have been exceeded per year. IFR's long-term prospects show that the ongoing automation trend and continuous technical improvements will result in double-digit growth - it is estimated that around 204,000 units in 2022, "he added.
Asia is the largest industrial robot market in the world. In total, the Asian market increased by 1%.
Europe is the second largest market for industrial robots, and the continent has grown by 14% compared with 2017 data, reaching a new peak for the sixth time in a row.
Automation in America, whose growth has reached 20% compared to the previous year, also generated a new record - the sixth year in a row.
The five major industrial robot markets accounted for 74% of all global installations in 2018; China, Japan, United States, South Korea and Germany.
According to the Chinese policy of promoting own production, robot suppliers in this country increased their share in installations by 5% compared to the previous year. Foreign robot installations dropped by 7%. This is also partly due to the weakening of the automotive industry.
Japan recorded a 21% increase, which is the highest value in history. Since 2013, the country has recorded an average annual growth rate of 17%. Japan is also the world's largest producer of industrial robots, providing 52% of global supply last year.
In the United States, an increase of 22% has been recorded compared to 2017. Since around 2010, the driving force behind the increase in US production is the continuous trend to automate production to strengthen industry.
In South Korea, a decrease of 5% in robot installations was recorded. This is due to the difficulties encountered by the electronics industry, which is heavily dependent on the robot market. Nevertheless, installations still have an average increase of 12% per year from 2013.
Germany is the fifth largest industrial robot market in the world. The country is also the largest market in Europe, followed by Italy and France. Robot sales in Germany increased by 26% in 2018, and the automotive industry accounted for the vast majority.
source:industryeurope
