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A total of 31,464 robots valued at $1.8 billion were ordered from North American companies during 2015, an increase of 14 percent in units and 11 percent in dollars over 2014, according to the (RIA). Robot shipments also set new records, with 28,049 robots valued at $1.6 billion shipped to North American customers in 2015. Shipments grew 10 percent in units and nine percent in dollars over the previous records set in 2014.

The automotive industry was the primary driver of growth in 2015, with robot orders increasing 19 perecent year over year. Non-automotive robot orders grew five percent over 2014. The leading non-automotive industry in 2015 in terms of order growth was Semiconductors and Electronics at 35 percent.

According to Alex Shikany, director of market analysis, the fastest-growing applications for robot orders in North America in 2015 were Coating and Dispensing (+49 percent), Material Handling (+24 percent), and Spot Welding (+22 percent). RIA estimates that some 260,000 robots are now in use in North American factories, putting it in third behind Japan and China.

Jeff Burnstein, RIA president, says, “The continuing growth in robotics is opening many new job opportunities for people who can program, install, run and maintain robots. In fact, if you look closer at the jobs discussion, automation is helping to save and create jobs. A lot of companies tell us they wouldn’t be in business without robotics and related automation.”