The World Robotics 2021 Industrial Robots Report reveals a record 3 million industrial robots operating in factories around the world, which translates to a nearly 10% increase. Sales of new robots grew slightly, by 0.5%, despite the pandemic, with a total of 384,000 units shipped worldwide in 2020.
From World Robotics they highlight that 2021 has been the third most favorable year in the history of the robotics industry after 2018 and 2017. %22The economies of North America, Asia and Europe did not all experience their moment of decline at the same time because of COVID-19,%22 says Milton Guerry, president of the International Federation of Robotics. %22Incoming orders and production in Chinese manufacturing started to pick up in the second quarter of 2020. The US economy started to recover in the second half of 2020, with Europe following a little later,%22 he adds.
In terms of annual robot installations and operating stock, Spain ranked fourth in Europe in 2020, behind France, Italy and Germany. Operating stocks of robots totaled 38 007 units in 2020, up 3% from the previous year. Robot installations in 2020 decreased by 15% to 3387 units. It was the second year of decline after four consecutive years of record numbers, with a peak value of 5266 units in 2018.
Spain was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but according to the Spanish Association of Robotics and Automation (AER), the demand for robots grew with
strength in the range of +15% to +20% compared to the previous year in the first half of 2021. The operating stock of robots in Brazil was estimated at a total of 16 117 units (+5%) in 2020.
Economically, the country was hit hard by the pandemic. GDP declined by 4.1% in 2020. GDP growth forecast for 2021 is +4.8%, resulting in a V-shaped recovery.
As this report reveals, the industry as a whole is enjoying a strong order intake, which is positive for the demand for robots. Overall, demand for industrial robots can be expected to recover by 10% to 15% in 2021 and continue to increase slightly below, 5% to 10% compound annual growth rate from 2022 to 2024.
However, robot installations in South American markets are still at very low levels. In 2020, hardly any installations were reported, only 139 units, which was a drop of 82% compared to the 785 units reached in 2019. Of these 139 units, 88 were installed in Argentina. The rest took place in Chile, Colombia, Peru and Puerto Rico.
