1996 Marked the Second Consecutive Year of Double Digit Growth in World RobotInvestment. World Robot Market Forecast to Increase by 13% Per Year in 1996-2000. By the End of 2000 Almost One Million Robots in Operation Worldwide

摘要

Worldwide sales of industrial robots peaked in 1990 when they reached almost81,000 units. Following the recession in 1991-1993, sales of robots plummeted to about 55,000 units in 1993. With the economic recovery a surge in robot investment followed. In 1995, the world market surged by almost 29% over 1994 and in 1996 global sales increased by 11%, reaching about 80,500 units, or more or less the same level as the record year of 1990 (see table 1 and figure 1). The large drop in sales between 1990 and 1993 is mainly explained by the sharp fall in the supply of robots in Japan, from 60,000 units to under 30,000 units in 1994. After this trough the market started to recover although hesitant and by 1996 the Japanese market reached almost 39,000 units, up almost 7% over 1995. After the three year of yearly growth rates of the order of 30% the market in the United States fell by 5% in 1996 (in terms of value, however, it increased by 4%). Modest increase over 1995 was recorded in Italy (+3%). For the third year in a row France showed double digit growth, almost 23% in 1996 over 1995. The market in the United Kingdom experienced a roller coaster, from an increase of 84% in 1994 to -27% in 1995 and back to +41% in 1996. The German market showed incredible strength, increasing by over 40% per year in both 1995 and 1996, more than compensating for the depressed years of 1991-1993.