North American Robot Sales Climb to New High in 2021

Propelled by a surge in nonautomotive sectors, the number of robots sold in North America set a record in 2021, with 39,708 units sold at a value of $2 billion, a 14-percent increase over the previous high in 2017.

According to new industry statistics released by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the number of robots sold in 2021 rose 28 percent over 2020. Record robot sales in the fourth quarter of the year—up 9 percent over Q4 2020—demonstrated the strong momentum already realized through the previous nine months as more industries look to automation to increase productivity and alleviate ongoing labor shortages. 

October through December of 2021 marked the highest and second-highest quarter on record for units and revenue, respectively. Nonautomotive customers ordered 6618 robots in Q4, which represents 61 percent of total units ordered. Automotive-related customers purchased 4211 units, 39 of total orders. 

See also: Association for Advancing Automation

Technologies: Pressroom Automation

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Start receiving newsletters.