Robot sales in North America decreased by 6% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year, according to a report by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). Between January and March, companies purchased 8,582 robots valued at $494 million. Despite the overall decline, orders from non-automotive companies increased by 16% over the first quarter of 2023.
Alex Shikany, Vice President of Membership & Market Intelligence at A3, noted the improving trend in robot orders as the year progresses. He highlighted the significant growth in adoption by non-automotive sectors, indicating a broader acceptance and implementation of automation technologies across various industries. Shikany also pointed to the high attendance at Automate 2024 as evidence of growing interest and investment in robotics and automation technology, which he believes will contribute to a stronger second half of the year.
In the first quarter, non-automotive customers accounted for 48% of total orders, purchasing 4,096 robots. The food and consumer goods sector saw the highest increase in orders at 120%, followed by life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical at 72%, and the metals industry at 46%.
Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, emphasized the transformative impact of industrial automation. He remarked on the advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence, and connectivity, which are significantly enhancing productivity and opening new growth opportunities across multiple industries. Burnstein described this evolution as a fundamental shift in modern manufacturing, driven by technological innovation.
