Robotic orders and shipments declined over the previous yr, reported A3. Supply: Affiliation for Advancing Automation
Like different industries, robotics has confronted uncertainty across the economic system and U.S. elections. The variety of robots ordered and their whole worth declined within the first 9 months of 2024, in accordance with the Affiliation for Advancing Automation, or A3.
From January by way of September 2024, North American companies ordered 23,034 robots valued at $1.4 billion, a 1.9% decline in items and a 2.2% drop in income as compared with the identical interval in 2023. A3 reported declines in semiconductors, electronics, and photonics of -32% and automotive parts of -21%.
The Ann Arbor, Mich.-based group attributed the slowdown to tight capital budgets, excessive rates of interest, and slowed industrial output, notably in electrical automobiles. Additionally this week, the Worldwide Federation of Robotics (IFR) reported on international robotic adoption, noting that the U.S. ranks eleventh.
The greenback worth of orders and shipments reportedly declined in 2024. Supply: Affiliation for Advancing Automation
A3 finds indicators for hope
Nonetheless, there have been some optimistic indicators, famous A3. Orders elevated in meals and client items (+60%), life sciences/prescribed drugs/biomedical (+43%), and metals (+8%).
Within the third quarter of this yr, North American corporations ordered ordered 7,329 robots valued at $475 million, reflecting a 14.1% enhance in items and an 8.8% rise in income in contrast with Q3 2023. Whereas non-automotive orders accounted for 4,113 items or 56%, automotive part orders elevated by 61%, whilst automotive OEM orders contracted by 15%.
“Trade suggestions suggests cautious optimism, with many corporations forecasting a stronger rebound in 2025,” the affiliation said in its newest report.
Non-automotive orders surpassed automotive orders within the first three quarters of 2024. Supply: Affiliation for Advancing Automation
Burnstein posts open letter, discusses outlook
Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, posted an open letter to President-elect Donald Trump, saying that automation is vital to reshoring manufacturing to the U.S. He advisable that the federal authorities work with the robotics trade to develop a method to successfully compete economically and in nationwide safety.
The Robotic Report spoke with Burnstein about his letter and A3’s newest report.
How do the newest quarterly statistics help your factors?
Burnstein: We’re nonetheless seeing declines in robotic orders, however they’re shrinking.
Folks in trade stated as soon as the elections are over, we’ll have readability — we’ll see. It depends upon industrial coverage adjustments, similar to help for electrical automobiles versus inner combustion engines.
Your letter mentions the necessity for a nationwide robotics technique, as do A3’s advocacy rules. How would that mesh with the incoming administration’s said targets of streamlining authorities?
Burnstein: They’ll occur on the identical time. If the precedence of the subsequent administration is to deliver again manufacturing, automation is important, no matter whether or not it shrinks the federal authorities.
The [White House] Workplace of Science and Know-how Coverage might put extra emphasis on robotics and automation.
With Tesla‘s Optimus, Elon Musk is a notable proponent of humanoid robots, and he has been named co-leader of the brand new Division of Authorities Effectivity. Do you assume he’ll be useful to the trade?
Burnstein: I don’t know precisely what his position shall be, however you’d assume that with someone who is aware of and has utilized the know-how, he’s perceive the robotics trade fairly properly.
New robotic orders by kinds of utility. Supply: Affiliation for Advancing Automation
Coverage suggestions embrace extra federal consideration
Do robotics R&D and workforce growth require extra federal funding and coordination?
Burnstein: We’re making an attempt to level to basic rules. There must be somebody within the authorities — a “robotics czar” — centered on how robotics, AI, and automation could make America extra aggressive. It’s a precedence in different nations.
If the precedence is to create extra jobs, then these match collectively. A method is to automate; the opposite is to coach the workforce. We have now to have extra state packages and coordination on the nationwide stage.
What are A3’s stances on points like deregulation, tariffs, and tax cuts, that are talked about in A3’s rules? How may they assist or damage the U.S. robotics trade?
Burnstein: On tariffs, I can’t remark but. We have now an advocacy committee assembly, chaired by Brendan Schulman of Boston Dynamics, in January.
On taxes, there must be incentives for corporations that automate and expense it upfront.
We see an actual want for how we talk about automation and robotics. The final Nationwide Robotics Initiative was throughout the Obama administration. We will debate about whether or not investments had been too centered on primary analysis, however coupled with tax incentives, it was a begin.
As laws go, there are some that if modified, they may assist corporations undertake automation. We’d have to discover that extra intently, however A3 has identified that robots are a job creator, not a destroyer.
Now that the elections are over, what’s the standing of the Congressional Robotics Caucus? Have you learnt any incoming members of Congress?
Burnstein: U.S. Consultant Jim McGovern of Massachusetts and Rep. Robert Latta of Ohio are the co-chairs. I’ve heard that McGovern was very robust about wanting the caucus to be extra energetic.
I appeared earlier than the Senate AI Caucus, and there’s a rising consciousness that AI and robotics go collectively, so I’m hopeful.
Do you anticipate a response to your letter from the White Home?
Burnstein: We obtained a response that they acquired it, and I’m longing for outreach to work with A3 and different organizations. The Nationwide Affiliation of Producers [NAM] despatched letters earlier than and after the election, and lots of people signed them.
A3’s advocacy rules. Supply: Affiliation for Advancing Automation
A3 to work with lobbyists, different organizations
Are A3’s rules in keeping with Henrik Christensen‘s Nationwide Robotics Roadmap?
Burnstein: We’re usually aligned, I participated in placing it collectively. I feel there are different like-minded organizations, similar to NAM. We need to concentrate on all industries that robots and automation can help.
How can the robotics trade elevate its profile in Washington?
Burnstein: For the primary time, we’ve employed a lobbying group, which can start on Dec. 1. We predict there’s alternative, and either side of the aisle are involved in the identical issues: bringing again jobs, conserving the U.S. aggressive, and never falling behind in an entire bunch of areas, not simply manufacturing.
Does A3 have plans to work with different organizations, such because the ARM Institute or robotics clusters, to advocate for the trade?
Burnstein: I haven’t seen a lot exercise these days from the Nationwide Alliance of Robotics Clusters, however there shall be coordination with related teams.
As I stated, our advocacy committee will meet proper earlier than the inauguration. At A3’s Enterprise Discussion board in January, we might also speak with numerous teams.
Proper now, we’re outlining basic rules of working with the subsequent administration on taxes, workforce growth, and different points.
Editor’s be aware: This text has been up to date with a hyperlink to A3’s full report, launched at this time.
