"North America has the world's second-largest operational base of industrial robots after China," says Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). "The United States, Canada and Mexico are key markets for the global growth of robotic automation - with the automotive sector leading the way."

Cyclical demand from the automotive industry

In the USA, demand from automotive and component manufacturers for industrial robots rose by 48% in 2022. This shows the familiar cyclical pattern of demand from this customer segment. Starting from a peak of 15,397 units in 2017, this was initially followed by several years of decline with a level of 9,854 units in 2021. In 2022, installations rose to 14,594 units.

In Canada, business is largely dependent on investment from the automotive industry - the market share accounts for 40% of robot installations. Sales to the automotive industry fell by 36% in 2022 and amounted to 1,258 installed units. This is below the level reached before the pandemic with 1,897 units in 2019. Robot installations for the production of parts and accessories for motor vehicles fell significantly by 45% in 2022, with 995 units sold. By contrast, sales in the motor vehicles, engines and bodywork segment increased by 99% with 263 units sold.

Robot installations in Mexico are also driven by the automotive industry - the market share of this segment was 66% in 2022. Sales increased by 16% and reached 4,222 units - the second-best result since the peak of 4,805 units in the record year of 2017.

The number of installations in other sectors exceeding the 4,000-unit mark in North America are: Electrical/Electronics (+28%), Metal and Mechanical Engineering (-9%) and Plastics and Chemicals (-4%). These segments each have a market share of 9% of industrial robot installations in 2022.

Automate show

Automate - the largest trade show for robotics and industrial automation in North America, organized by the Association for Advancing Automation - will return in 2024 and continue as an annual event. The event will take place next year from May 6-9, 2024 at McCormick Place in Chicago, and in 2025 in Detroit and will continue on a rotating basis.