North American robotics companies sold more robots in 2011 than ever before, according to new statistics from Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry’s trade group. A total of 19,337 robots valued at $1.17 billion were sold to companies in North America, beating the previous record of 18,228 robots sold in 2005. When sales by North American robot suppliers to companies outside North America are included, the totals are 22,126 robots valued at $1.35 billion. Compared to 2010, NorthAmerican orders were up 47% in units and 38% in dollars. Helping fuel the increase was revitalized demand by the automotive industry, said Paul Kellett, Director of Market Analysis for RIA. “Robots sold to automotive component suppliers in North America jumped 77% over 2010, while robots sold to automotive OEMs increased 59%.” Sales to non-automotive customers grew 27%, led bymetalworking industries (+56%) and semiconductor/electronics/ photonics (+24%). In terms of applications, big increases were seen in spot welding (+78%), arc welding (+66%), assembly (+63%), coating & dispensing (+42%) and material handling (+30%). The fourth quarter of 2011 was the strongest quarter ever recorded by RIA (the association began reporting data in 1984) in terms of units ordered with 5,721 robots valued at $317.5 million. The fourth quarterwas up 61% in units and 40% in dollars over the same period in 2010. “The growing interest in automation combined with the strengthening of North American manufacturing industries, particularly automotive, contributed to a great year for the robotics industry,” said Jeff Burnstein, President of RIA. “We sensed this early in the year when we had a very strong Automate 2011 show in Chicago in March. Current users were telling us theywere looking to purchasemore robots, vision systems and related products and people who had never purchased a robotwere showing strong interest in near-term purchases.