Robot sales in North America have strongest year ever in 2021

Propelled by a surge in nonautomotive sectors, the number of robots sold in North America set a record in 2021, with 39,708 units sold at a value of $2 billion, a 14% increase over the previous high in 2017.

According to new industry statistics released by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the number of robots sold in 2021 rose 28% over 2020. Record robot sales in Q4 2021—up 9% over Q4 2020—demonstrated the strong momentum already realized through the previous nine months as more industries look to automation to increase productivity and alleviate ongoing labor shortages.

Nonautomotive orders now represent 58% of the North American total. The category with the greatest increase is metals, up 91% over 2020.