Robotics
Asia installs 70 % more industrial robots
The Asian economic region relies on industrial robots: in just five years, the number of operational units rose by 70% to 887,400 (2010 - 2015). In the 2015 financial year alone, sales figures climbed by 19% to 160,600 units.
According to the 'World Robotics Report 2016' published by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), China alone accounts for 43% of total sales in the Asian region - including Australia and New Zealand - as the world's largest sales market for industrial robots. South Korea follows with a sales share of 24% and Japan with 22%. Together, these three nations accounted for 89% of the market in Asia and Australia in 2015.
According to the IFR, China will continue to be the biggest growth driver in the future and further expand its leading role. China will install around 40% of the global supply by 2019. According to forecasts, the growth trend for robot installations is likely to continue in all major sales markets for robots in Asia: South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and other Southeast Asian countries.
Electrical and electronics industry overtakes automotive sector
The electrical and electronics industry proved to be the largest growth sector in Asia. Sales jumped by 41% to 56,200 units in 2015 compared to the previous year. By comparison, the automotive industry purchased 54,500 robot units - an increase of 4%. This means that the electrical and electronics industry in Asia installed more industrial robots than the automotive industry for the first time, doubling sales in just five years.
The manufacturing industry - by far the largest sector in terms of the number of industrial robots used - recorded annual growth of 25% to 149,500 units in 2015.
South Korea leads the world in terms of robot density. Here, there are 531 industrial robots per 10,000 employees, followed by Singapore (398 units) and Japan (305 units). These three Asian economies rank among the top ten most advanced industrialized countries in the world. The average global robot density is 69 units per 10,000 employees.
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