Robot Investment Surges in U.S.

May 31, 2024

The International Federation of Robotics reports strong robotics demand across all major segments of U.S. manufacturing in 2023.

Manufacturing companies in the United States have invested heavily in more automation, with total installations of industrial robots rising by 12% to reach 44,303 units in 2023, according to preliminary results, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

The number one adopter of robots in the U.S. is the automotive industry followed by the electrical and electronics sector.

The IFR reports that sales in the automotive segment rose by 1% with a record number of 14,678 robots installed in 2023. This comes after installations in 2022 skyrocketed by 47% to reach 14,472 units. The market share of car and component makers hit 33% of all industrial robot installations in the U.S. in 2023.

“Automotive manufacturers currently invest in robotics mainly to drive the electric vehicle transition and respond to labor shortages,” says Marina Bill, president of the IFR. Marina is also global head of marketing and sales robotics at ABB.

Installations in the electrical and electronics industry rose by 37% to 5,120 units in 2023. This number almost reached the record pre-pandemic level of 5,284 units, seen in 2018. The latest result represents a market share of 12% of all industrial robots installed in the U.S. manufacturing industry.

According to the IFR, demand for industrial robots in this segment is influenced by a trend to strengthen domestic supply chains and projects that drive the clean-energy transition.

Installation counts in other industries exceeding the 3,000-unit mark in the U.S. are: metal and machinery (4,123 units, +6%) and plastic and chemical products (3,213 units, +5%). They represent a market share of 9% and 7% of industrial robot installations in 2023, respectively.

Robot installation in Canada reached 4,616 units, up 43%. The automotive industry accounts for 55% of the country´s robot installations. Sales to the automotive sector rose by 99% with 2,549 units installed in 2023. This is an all-time high.

Robot installations in Mexico’s manufacturing industry remain almost unchanged with 5,868 units in 2023. The country´s main adopter is the automotive industry, which accounted for 69% of the robot installations in 2023. Robot sales in Mexico reached 4,068 units (-0%) in 2023, the third best result since the peak level of 4,805 units in 2017.