Installations of industrial robots are expected to grow by 15 per cent in 2014 compared to 2013, with most of the growth driven by the Asian markets, according to a report from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). The growth in robotics is a positive sign for machine vision, as many industrial robots incorporate imaging technology.
More than 200,000 industrial robots will be installed in 2014 worldwide, the study states. The Asian markets are predicted to grow by around 21 per cent in 2014, particularly in China and Taiwan, in Korea and in most of the other Southeast Asian markets.
Robot sales to the Americas will increase by 11 per cent in 2014 driven by the increasing demand in North America and Brazil. Robot installations in Europe are estimated to rise by 6 per cent, with strong growth expected in the German market.
Between 2015 and 2017, robot sales are estimated to increase by about 6 per cent in the Americas as well as in Europe, and about 16 per cent in Asia/Australia on average per year, the report says.
At the end of 2017, it is estimated that about 2 million industrial robots will be installed in factories worldwide.
According to the study, the high volume of industrial robot orders will continue to come from the automotive industry. The IFR commented that the electronics industry is increasing robot investments in production automation as well as in retooling for new production processes. A further increase of robot orders from other industries is also likely, particularly from the rubber and plastics industry, pharmaceutical industry, the food and beverage industry, and the metal and machinery industry.
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