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IFR Statistical Department
Only a slight increase of robot supplies worldwide in 2008
According to the results of the IFR Quarterly Shipment Statistics the total robot supplies increased by 1% in 2008 compared to 2007. Robot supplies to Asia increased by 2%. Europe saw continued growth of 8%. However, the supply to North America has already been affected by the crisis in the automotive industry. Robot supplies decreased by 15%. All other countries including South America, Africa and Australia saw a surge in supplies of 37%.
There was once again a strong increase in supplies for handling operations in Europe and in North America in 2008. ?Palettizing/packaging?, in particular, increased substantially in Europe and in North America. In Asia, handling applications decreased and welding increased.
The economic crisis and more specifically the automotive crisis will impact heavily on robot supplies in 2009. However, the medium-term forecast is for robot supplies to again increase:
- The worldwide trend towards automation will continue because of more stringent quality and environmental requirements.
- Robot suppliers now provide tailored solutions to non-automotive sectors.
- Small and medium sized companies will become first-time robot users.
- Technical improvements and the need to modernize plants, especially in growing markets like China, India or Russia, will stimulate the robot supply, as well as;
- The demographic shift in more mature markets (Japan, Korea, Europe and North America).
- The automotive industry will have to invest to meet changes in customer demand.
World Robotics 2009 Status Update
In 2009, for the first time, there will be two studies:
- World Industrial Robotics 2009
- World Service Robotics 2009
This emphasizes the growing importance of service robots.
The IFR Statistical Department needs pictures for the cover pages of both studies. Furthermore, all companies have been requested to provide case studies for World Industrial and World Service Robotics.
The preliminary detailed results are still not available because a lot of reports of the companies were not returned. As soon as possible the preliminary results will be send to the participants. The final results should be available online in July/August 2009 for participants only.
The next IRSG meeting will be in Tokyo on 24 November 2009, just one day before the IREX will start.
Contact:
Gudrun Litzenberger
IFR Statistical Department
Tel: +49-69/6603-1502
gl@worldrobotics.org
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