Robot Sales Hit Record High in 2022

North America’s robotics market hit all-time highs in both sales and value in 2022, according to a new report from the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). 

The trend was driven primarily by increased demand from automotive companies, which accounted for more than 50% of sales over the past year.

This marks the second time in a row the region has set record highs. The report found that in total, North American companies ordered 44,196 robots valued at $2.38 billion last year, representing increases of 11% and 18%, respectively, over 2021’s previous record. Automotive companies accounted for 23,897 of the robots ordered, a 42% increase from automotive orders in 2021. 

While demand from most non-automotive industries showed a reduction from the previous three years, unique applications in industries such as food service, agriculture and construction accounted for the rest of the high demand. 

“Although labor shortage and supply chain issues impact nearly all industries in North America, automakers’ public commitment to move to electric vehicles has set in motion a resurgence of robot orders in this market,” said Jeff Burnstein, A3’s president. “Automotive OEMs and components suppliers alike recognize that investing in robots is instrumental to the emergence of EVs as well as to manufacturing all vehicles as they compete to meet customer demand.”

“While the number of robots sold to non-automotive companies isn’t as staggering as it’s been over the last couple of years, it’s clear that companies in every industry see automation as necessary for success,” Burnstein said.