IFR sees rise in robot investment in the United States

According to the International Federation of Robots (IFR), manufacturing firms in the United States have significantly increased their investment in automation, as the total installations of industrial robots surged by 12%, reaching 44,303 units in 2023. Leading this adoption trend is the automotive sector, closely followed by the electrical and electronics industry.

Marina Bill, President of the IFR, said: “The United States has one of the most advanced manufacturing industries worldwide. The first IFR outlook on preliminary results shows again strong robotics demand across all major segments of US manufacturing in 2023.” 

In the automotive sector, sales saw a modest 1% increase, with a record-breaking 14,678 robots installed in 2023. This followed a remarkable 47% surge in installations in 2022, reaching 14,472 units. Car and component manufacturers accounted for 33% of all industrial robot installations in the U.S. in 2023. The United States ranks second globally in the production volume of cars and light vehicles, trailing only China.

Marina Bill added, “Automotive manufacturers are primarily investing in robotics to facilitate the transition to electric vehicles and mitigate labour shortages.”

Installations in the electrical and electronics sector surged by 37% to 5,120 units in 2023, almost reaching the pre-pandemic record level of 5,284 units seen in 2018. This accounted for a 12% market share of all industrial robots installed in the U.S. manufacturing industry. The demand for industrial robots in this sector is driven by efforts to fortify domestic supply chains and initiatives promoting the transition to clean energy.

In other industries in the U.S., installations exceeding the 3,000-unit mark include metal and machinery (4,123 units, +6%) and plastic and chemical products (3,213 units, +5%), representing 9% and 7% of industrial robot installations in 2023, respectively.

Canada and Mexico

“Automotive manufacturers currently invest in robotics mainly to drive the electric vehicle transition and respond to labour shortages,” added Marina Bill. 

Installations in the electrical and electronics industry, meanwhile, rose by 37% to 5120 units in 2023, almost reaching the pre-pandemic figure of 5284 units in 2018. Demand for industrial robots in this segment can be attributed to a need to strengthen domestic supply chains and projects driving the clean energy transition.

Installations in other industries exceeding the 3000-unit mark in the US include metal and machinery (4213 units) and plastic and chemical products (3213 units), representing a market share of 9% and 7% of industrial robot installations in 2023 respectively.

Robot installations in Mexico’s manufacturing industry remained relatively stable at 5868 units in 2023. The automotive industry led adoption, representing 69% of robot installations, with sales reaching 4068 units (-0%) in 2023, the third-best result since the peak level of 4805 units in 2017.

The final results of the new World Robotics data will be unveiled by the IFR on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

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