The Robot Report

  • Home
  • News
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
    • Research
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Exoskeletons
    • Industrial
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Markets
    • Agriculture
    • Healthcare
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Mining
    • Security
  • Financial
    • Investments
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Earnings
  • Resources
    • Careers
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Issues
    • Publications
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
      • Robotics Business Review
    • RBR50 Winners 2022
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
    • Robotics Weeks
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
    • Leave a voicemail

North American machine vision sales down 4.6% for the year

By The Robot Report Staff | December 9, 2019

North American sales of machine vision systems and components that provide intelligence to robots and other machines were down 4.6% through the first three quarters of the year. Meanwhile, Q3 orders in the motion control and motor suppliers space were up 1.9% through the first three quarters.

The machine vision numbers were reported from the AIA, the industry trade group that is part of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). The motion control and motor supply report comes from another A3 division, the Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA).

The AIA reported $2.07 billion in sales of machine vision systems and components through September 2019. Machine vision systems, which includes smart cameras and application-specific machine vision systems, saw a decrease of 2%, at $599.9 million, compared to the same period in 2018. In the machine vision components area, which includes cameras, lighting, optics, imaging boards, and software), sales decreased 4% to $92.1 million during the same period. Overall, total machine vision financial transactions fell 2%, to $694.1 million, the AIA reported.

In 2018, sales of the components and systems in the vision space broke records, with sales of $2.874 billion for the year, an increase of 9.2% compared to 2017. At the time, the AIA had predicted a flattening or decrease in the sales over the next six months, following a six-year period of growth in the space.

The AIA surveyed industry experts, and 53% of respondents believe machine vision component market sales will increase, and 38% believe sales will remain flat. In the machine vision systems market, 70% are expecting flat performance, and 24% believe sales will increase over the next six months.

“Despite the overall market performance, vision and imaging technology is a key player in a variety of automation solutions, and remains integral to the industry,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of A3. “Growing global trends like autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, and autonomous mobile robots depend on strong vision and imaging systems, bolstering this industry.”

Motion control growth

In the MCMA statistics, orders of $2.65 billion have been reported through three quarters of 2019. Shipments also showed growth, at $2.92 billion, which is up 1.5% compared to the first nine months of 2019.

In Q3, orders of $878.9 million were up 7.5% compared to 2018, and shipments of $977.5 million were up 1.8% over Q3 2018 shipments, the group said.

AC motors (44% growth) and ancillary components (up 19.7%) showed the most growth in orders, and AC motors (56% growth) and sensors & feedback devices (26.2%) showed the highest growth in shipments. The largest product categories were motors, followed by actuators and mechanical systems, and electronic drives.

The MCMA said that according to its survey of experts, 54% believe orders will increase in the next six months, while 33% expect flat performance.

“It’s encouraging to see growth as we near the end of the year and to report the positive projections from industry companies,” said Burnstein.

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles Read More >

Genesis Live Drive assembly explosion
Genesis Robotics opens new office in Frankfurt Germany
Celera Motion expands Omni+ direct drive motor platform
MIT CSAIL develops soft, pneumatic actuator
TBM2G frameless servo motor
Kollmorgen introduces TBM2G frameless servo motors

2021 Robotics Handbook

The Robot Report Listing Database

Latest Robotics News

Robot Report Podcast

Anders Beck introduces the UR20; California bans autonomous tractors
See More >

Sponsored Content

  • Magnetic encoders support the stabilization control of a self-balancing two-wheeled robotic vehicle
  • How to best choose your AGV’s Wheel Drive provider
  • Meet Trey, the autonomous trailer (un)loading forklift
  • Kinova Robotics launches Link 6, the first Canadian industrial collaborative robot
  • Torque sensors help make human/robot collaborations safer for workers

RBR50 Innovation Awards

Leave us a voicemail

The Robot Report
  • Mobile Robot Guide
  • Collaborative Robotics Trends
  • Field Robotics Forum
  • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
  • RoboBusiness Event
  • Robotics Business Review
  • Robotics Summit & Expo
  • About The Robot Report
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search The Robot Report

  • Home
  • News
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
    • Research
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Exoskeletons
    • Industrial
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Markets
    • Agriculture
    • Healthcare
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Mining
    • Security
  • Financial
    • Investments
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Earnings
  • Resources
    • Careers
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Issues
    • Publications
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
      • Robotics Business Review
    • RBR50 Winners 2022
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
    • Robotics Weeks
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
    • Leave a voicemail