Investments in Robots Increasing

The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) in cooperation with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) publishes the study World Robotics 2005.

Worldwide investment in industrial robots up 17% in 2004
In 2004, more than 52,000 robots were supplied to Asian countries (including Australia and New Zealand), almost 29% more than 2003, as a result of strong investments within the automotive industry and the electrical/electronics industry.

The installations in the other Asian markets, including China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan (Province of China), surged by an average of about 125%.

In first half of 2005, orders for robots were up another 13%
Worldwide growth in the period 2005-2008 forecast at an average annual rate of about 6%

UNECE and IFR estimate the total worldwide stock of operational industrial robots at the end of 2004 between a minimum of 848,000 units and a possible maximum of 1,120,000 units

Over 1,000,000 household robots in use – several millions in the next few years

The growth of automotive manufacturing robots may slow but the growth of general purpose industrial robots will accelerate.
The increase is due to improving technology in the robot interactions with the world - sensors, vision and motor control - as well as improving safety in robot to human cooperation.

UNECE - United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Report Summary (pdf)