Keywords
Citation
(2001), "Industrial robots report strong demand", Industrial Robot, Vol. 28 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2001.04928aab.011
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Industrial robots report strong demand
Industrial robots report strong demand
Keywords Robots, Japan, Supply and demand
Humanoid and virtual household pets are not the only cutting-edge areas of Japan's robot-making industry, though the recent trend appears to be the case. Shipments of industrial robots are also very much on the rise. Such shipments in this year's July-September quarter are predicted to rise by 15.1 per cent on a year-to-year basis, to roughly US$865 million, according to the Japan Robot Association in Tokyo.
The Association has a record of being accurate that extends back over the past 20 years. This time, it attributes this, the second straight quarter of growth, to strong exports, especially those to the American auto industry. It is also the first term since the October-December quarter of 1997 to see double-digit growth. Exports soared by 33.5 per cent to account for some US$734 million.
Sales of spot-welding robots to US car firms were robust, as were those of equipment such as board mounters to East Asian electronics makers. Solid exports, in addition, are expected to play a main role in the October-December term, so that shipments for the whole 1999-2000 year could well top totals for 1998-1999.