Robot manufacturers in North America posted record growth in orders in the first quarter of 2017, receiving orders for 9,773 robots valued at $516 million, according to the Robotic Industries Association (RIA), Ann Arbor, Mich. This represents an increase of 32 percent over the same period in 2016. Robot shipments also grew in the period, with 8,824 robots valued at $494 million shipped to North American customers. That represents an increase of 24 percent in units and 5 percent in dollars compared to 2016's first quarter. The automotive and consumer goods sectors continued to be strong markets for robot sales. RIA reports that approximately 250,000 robots are now in use in the U.S., making the U.S. the third-highest user, behind Japan and China.
