North American robot orders peaked in 2022, when the company experienced multiple record quarters in a row.
Robot orders in North America remained essentially flat in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). The organization found that companies purchased 9,064 units valued at $580.7 million in Q1 of 2025.
Compared to Q1 2024, this represents a 0.4% increase in units ordered and a 15% rise in order value, signaling continued demand and increased investment in higher-value automation systems.
2024 was a slower year for the North American robotics industry, with a strong ending. Overall, North American companies ordered 31,311 robots valued at $1.963 billion, representing slight increases of 0.5% in units and 0.1% in revenue over 2023.
While the automotive industry has historically been the largest adopter of robotics, food and consumer goods emerged as 2024’s fastest-growing sector, with robot orders surging 65%. This trend, however, seems to be changing, with automotive sales driving growth at the start of 2025.
“The first quarter data highlights a continued resilience in automation investment, particularly in the automotive sector, even as manufacturers navigate a complex macroeconomic environment,” said Alex Shikany, executive vice president at A3. “At the same time, some sectors are taking a more cautious approach as broader economic uncertainty persists.”
Demand from automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) was the primary growth driver, with 3,668 units ordered valued at $263 million—a 42% increase in units and a 78% increase in revenue over Q1 2024.
The revenue growth reflects not only higher volume, but also a shift in the types of applications being automated this quarter, with a greater share of orders tied to higher-value systems, A3 said. In contrast, orders from automotive component suppliers declined 29% in units and 12% in value year-over-year, totaling 1,407 units and $88 million.
Most non-automotive sectors experienced contraction relative to Q1 2024, with the exception of plastics and rubber, which saw 12% growth in units ordered and a 33% increase in order value. Sectors such as food and consumer goods, metals, and semiconductors experienced year-over-year declines.
A3 shares its first collaborative robot numbers
A3 has begun reporting collaborative robot (cobot) statistics as part of its official quarterly data, making it the first industry-wide dataset of its kind in North America.
“We’re proud to launch this new level of reporting,” said Shikany. “Cobots are one of the fastest-growing areas of robotics adoption, and providing clear, reliable data on where they’re being used will help manufacturers, integrators, and suppliers make more informed decisions.”
In Q1 2025, North American companies ordered 1,052 collaborative robots valued at $39.2 million. Cobots accounted for 11.6% of all robots ordered and 6.8% of total revenue this quarter. A3 found that cobot demand was strongest in industries prioritizing flexibility and safe human-machine collaboration:
- Life Sciences/Pharma/Biomed: 127 units ($7.1M)
- Food & Consumer Goods: 114 units ($4.5M)
- All Other Industries: 419 units ($13.5M)
In each of these segments, collaborative robots made up over 20% of total demand. Universal Robots, a leading cobot provider, released its UR15 today. The UR15 has a maximum TCP speed of 5 m/s to reduce cycle times, increase productivity, and reduce costs across applications and industries.
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