What is the State of the Robot Industry?
In general, there was a significant slump in the mid to late 1980’s in industrial robotics. However in the early 1990’s sales and number have rebounded to surpass early 1980 numbers and dollars. From Motion Control Magazine April 1994: Robotics Industries Association said recently Robot orders jumped 40% through June, 1993 as the industry posted its best opening half-year ever…. Net new orders received by U.S. based robotics companies totalled 3,640 robots valued at $306.2 million, the highest unit and dollar figures ever. From the New York Times, Wednesday September 7th pC1 (paraphrased) In the late 1980’s a steep decline in robot orders drove most US companies out of the business. In the first half of 1994 4,335 robots with a total value of $383.5 million. Fanuc is the leader with about $360M in sales this year. Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) is second with sales estimated at $120M. The next several are Japanese: Motoman, Panasonic, Sony and Nachi. The only major US producer to have survi
