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Robot sales soar by 27% to top 200,000 for the first time
More than 200,000 industrial robots were sold globally for the first time in 2014, according to new figures released by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). More than 60% of the sales were in just two countries – China and South Korea, which together bought about 140,000 robots.
Based on preliminary results, the IFR estimates that about 225,000 robots were sold around the world in 2014 – 27% more than in 2013. Although sales increased in all of the major markets, China was again by far the biggest destination for industrial robots, with around 56,000 sales – 54% more than in 2013.
International robot suppliers continue to dominate the Chinese market, with combined sales of about 40,000 systems, but domestic Chinese suppliers are starting to make inroads with sales of some 16,000 robots during 2014.
As a result of considerable investments by the South Korean automotive industry, the country was the second-largest global destination for industrial robots in 2014, with about 39,000 sales. It was followed by Japan, the US and Germany. Robot sales to the Americas and to Europe reached new peak levels.
Together, the five largest robot markets represented 75% of global sales in 2014. The main driver was again the automotive industry, followed by the electronics sector.
