10 Industrial and Service Robotics Trends in the IFR’s World Robotics 2021 Report Photo Robotics 24/7

The International Federation of Robotics has released its annual report on global robotics shipments from 2020, and it expects strong growth to continue despite the pandemic.

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Japanese robotics market contracts

Japan remained second to China as the largest market for industrial robots, according to the IFR. However, its economy slowed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Robot sales declined by 23% in 2020, with 38,653 units installed.

This was the second year of decline following a peak of 55,240 units in 2018. In comparison with China, demand from the electronics and automotive industries was weak in Japan.

Japan’s operational stock was 374,000 units last year, an increase of only 5%. However, Japan already had a high stock, according to Müller.

The outlook for 2021 is positive, with Japanese gross domestic product (GDP) growth expected to be 3.7%. The IFR said it expects Japanese robotics market to grow by 7% in 2021 and to keep growing by 5% in 2022.

Japan also remains a major exporter of robotics. Currently, 36% of Japan’s robotics and automation exports go to China, even though most of its production is done directly in China. Also, 22% of exports went to the U.S.

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