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Automotive manufacturing will proceed to drive North American robotics adoption, says A3. Supply: ABB

The Affiliation for Advancing Automation, or A3, right now launched its quarterly and end-of-year report on robotic orders in North America for 2023. It discovered that gross sales have been down by 30% however famous that 2021 and 2022 have been record-setting years.

Whereas North American corporations ordered 31,159 robots in 2023, in contrast with 44,196 in 2022 and 39,708 in 2021, A3 mentioned it expects exercise to choose up later this yr and into 2025. The Ann Arbor, Mich.-based affiliation added that it expects each automotive producers and non-automotive sectors to renew ordering extra robots within the coming yr.

Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, responded to The Robotic Report‘s questions concerning the newest report on robotic orders.

Automotive business to remain on high regardless of slowdown

Has the automotive business accomplished or postponed retooling for electrical automobile (EV) manufacturing? What wants to vary for EV adoption to extend within the U.S.?

Burnstein: The automotive business within the U.S. could also be transferring a bit slower on retooling than anticipated. A part of the problem would be the demand for EVs, whereas rising in states like California, continues to be decrease in different elements of the nation.

To see a nationwide growth, we’ll in all probability must see extra infrastructure in place for EVs in addition to extra incentives.  

Whereas automotive has traditionally been the most important person of business robots in North America, do you see non-automotive industries persevering with to surpass it?

Burnstein: I believe the automotive business will stay the biggest single person business for robotics adoption, at the very least for the following a number of years. 

Non-automotive industries like warehousing and distribution will develop, as will agriculture, life sciences, building, meals, and lots of others. Taken as an entire, these non-automotive industries will possible surpass the automotive business in annual purchases, which is why I’m optimistic concerning the future potential for robotic adoption, regardless of the present slowdown in gross sales.

Economic system extra essential than geopolitics, says A3

Do you assume the upcoming U.S. elections or geopolitical uncertainty will have an effect on client and business spending? On the one hand, it might assist with reshoring or nearshoring, however on the opposite, it might trigger a “wait and see” perspective.

Burnstein: I believe the financial system has extra of an affect on robotic gross sales than geopolitical points. When corporations are doing properly financially, they make investments extra closely in capital tools in addition to in folks — if labor could be discovered!

After all, commerce wars can affect this image as we now have seen in recent times. Reshoring of producing to Mexico from Asia is a slow-growing development that can proceed, however financial growth, decrease rates of interest, and continued labor shortages in practically each business will stay the important thing drivers for elevated adoption of automation.

With the Federal Reserve anticipated to calm down its stance a bit on rates of interest, would that assist producers and the robotics business?

Burnstein: Decrease rates of interest ought to assist extra corporations put money into robotics.

Study from Agility Robotics, Amazon, Disney, Teradyne and lots of extra.

A peek at Automate 2024

Along with extra attendees, are you able to give a sneak peek at what else will probably be new at Automate 2024?

Burnstein: Now we have a number of new issues deliberate: a brand new Innovation Awards program, a New Product theater, an expanded Educator’s Day, a Ladies in Automation program, and new exhibitors from all around the world. We count on 800 exhibitors, our largest quantity ever.

An thrilling new crop of startups [is] collaborating in our Automate Startup Competitors. [There will also be] new purposes that incorporate synthetic intelligence [and] an expanded convention program. The automation business is altering shortly, which is why Automate is now an annual present!

Automate 2024 will probably be from Could 6 to 9 in Chicago. Supply: Affiliation for Advancing Automation