U.S.: Workplace robot orders set new record

U.S.: Workplace robot orders set new record

Washington, 6/1/2022

Workplace robot orders in the U.S. hit a record high in the first quarter of this year, according to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). Experts attributed the increase to the pandemic, labor shortages, rising wages and advancing technologies, among other factors.

In Q1 2022, robot orders in the U.S. increased 40% over the same period in 2021, the association said. Q1 2022 sales totaled $646 million, up from $466 million in Q1 2021. Of those sales, 6,122 units went to non-automotive customers and 5,476 to automotive customers.

The robotics industry is currently estimated to be worth $1.6 billion. A3’s Alex Shikany said that „every industry,“ from agriculture to construction to retail, is exploring how to take advantage of robotics to become more successful.

Meanwhile, more money has poured into robotics startups. In April, robotic warehouse company Agility Robotics raised $150 million to expand its operations. Bear Robotics, a provider of robotics for the hospitality industry, recently raised $81 million, while GreyOrange, a provider of robotics for the logistics industry, announced a new $110 million growth funding round.