A new report has revealed a significant downturn in North American robot sales for the year 2023, marking a 30% decline compared to the record-breaking figures of 2022.
According to the report, a total of 31,159 robots were ordered in 2023, a stark contrast to the 44,196 units purchased in the previous year and the 39,708 units bought in 2021.
The report came from the Association for Advancing Automation (A3).
The decline in sales was evenly distributed between automotive and non-automotive sectors, with both experiencing a substantial drop compared to 2022 figures. Automotive companies purchased 15,723 robots, reflecting a 34% decrease from the previous year, while non-automotive companies acquired 15,436 units, marking a 25% decline.
Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, attributed the decline to various factors impacting the economy and supply chain dynamics. Obvious issues he outlined included a slow US economy, higher interest rates and the over-purchasing of robots in 2022 from supply chain concerns.
Despite the overall decline, certain industries showed resilience, particularly in the final quarter of 2023.
Sales in automotive, metals, semiconductor & electronics/photonics, plastics & rubbers and the All Other Industries category saw a notable increase of 20% over the preceding quarter.
The All Other Industries category, which encompasses sectors like construction, hospitality, and agriculture, demonstrated growing interest in robotics, indicative of a broader acceptance of automation technologies.
While robotic sales were down over the year, 2023 ended with both an increase over the previous quarter, Burnstein remarked.
“Both are promising signs that more industries are becoming increasingly comfortable with automation overall.”
