As reported by IFR (International Federation of Robotics), in 2015 the number of industrial robots sold worldwide surpassed 240,000 units. This corresponds to global year-on-year growth of 8 percent. China continues to exhibit the highest demand for industrial robots: sales rose by 16 percent. Despite the general perception of a “reluctant” investment climate, China extended its leading position as the number one sales market worldwide with unit sales reaching 66,000. Total sales in China, however, remained below the original IFR forecast of 30 percent. Demand in Asia, excluding China, remained at a high level with 78,000 units sold. Sales of industrial robots in Europe rose by 9 percent to nearly 50,000 units. Eastern Europe, with growth of 29 percent, proved to be one of the fastest growing regions globally. The number of units deployed in North America also broke a new record: in the U.S., Canada and Mexico a total of 34,000 units were sold in 2015 representing year-on-year growth of 11 percent.
