China doubles up on R2-D2 apps

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China’s industrial robots to double by 2017: IFR

Monday July 27, 2015
Written by Alyssa Dalton



Jul. 27, 2015 - By 2017, more industrial robots will be operating in China’s production plants than in the European Union or North America, according to the International Federation of Robotics’ (IFR’s) 2014 World Robot Statistics study.

The IFR’s statistical department commissioned a global study earlier this year on industrial robots that indicates the Chinese robot market will double in the next three years.

The study estimates that China’s operating unit numbers will double from today’s 200,000 to more than 400,000 — to compare in North America, numbers will rise to about 300,000, with 340,000 predicted for Europe’s five largest economies. The IFR notes that China is already the world’s largest market in the sale of industrial robots. “Given China’s still very low robotic density, the future market dimensions are palpably clear,” it states.