Robots Operating in the Global Auto Industry Surpass 1 Million, IFR Says

The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) said on March 22, 2023, that the number of industrial robots operating in the global automotive industry had surpassed 1 million for the first time.

The automotive industry’s robot count surpassing 1 million is an important milestone that shows the scale of the robotics industry as a whole. Amid the structural shift to EVs, it signals that investment in automation will continue to grow and suggests that China’s rising presence could change the competitive landscape of the global robotics market.

The IFR announcement again shows that the automotive industry remains at the forefront of robot adoption. In an international comparison of robot density, South Korea leads with 2,867 units per 10,000 employees, followed by Germany with 1,500, the United States with 1,457 and Japan with 1,422. China, the world’s largest auto producer, still has a relatively low density of 772 units. But its new installations reached 61,598 in 2021, nearly doubling from the previous year and accounting for 52% of the 119,405 units installed worldwide that year. The surge appears to reflect the effect of electrification policies on the renewal of production equipment, including the Chinese government’s goal of making all new vehicle sales “new energy vehicles” by 2035. Physical AI News has previously reported IFR’s view that the convergence of AI and robotics could change where value is created in industry. The 1 million mark is a quantitative indicator of the foundation for that structural change, showing that the automotive industry remains the biggest driver of demand for robots. The shift from internal combustion engines to electric powertrains fundamentally changes conventional manufacturing methods. IFR President Marina Bill’s observation that automation using robots will support this transition therefore means more than simply setting a record for the number of robots. The surge in new installations in China suggests that the center of gravity of the global robotics supply chain is shifting toward the country. China’s robot density remains low, leaving considerable room for further adoption. For Japanese robot makers, this means competition in the Chinese market is likely to intensify. Changes to production lines accompanying the shift to EVs will also create demand for robots in new processes, including battery and motor assembly, in addition to conventional welding and assembly. One unresolved issue is that publicly available information does not break down the 1 million figure, such as by annual operating totals or the share of robots used in EV-related processes. More detailed statistics are awaited. Whether China’s surge in new installations will continue also depends on policy developments and production plans and warrants close attention. See the IFR’s official announcement for details.

Japan’s robot density is 1,422 units, ranking fourth globally and remaining relatively high, but China is rapidly catching up. Japanese robot makers will face intensifying competition in the Chinese market, and developing high-value-added robots for EV-related processes will be key to their competitiveness.