A total of 14,583 robots valued at approximately $817 million were ordered from North American companies during the first half of 2016.

The North American automation industry has set new records to begin 2016, according to the Association for Advancing Automation.

A total of 14,583 robots valued at approximately $817 million were ordered from North American companies during the first half of 2016.

The number of units ordered in the first six months marks a new record to begin the year, growing 2% over the same period in 2015, which held the previous record.

Order revenue decreased slightly by 3% in the first half of 2016. In the same timeframe, 13,620 robots valued at $838 million were shipped to North American customers. These figures represent the second highest total for units shipped and a new record for shipment revenue in the first half of a year.

“The robotics industry is thriving today as more companies of all sizes are realizing the benefits of automation,” said Jeff Burnstein, President of A3. “The increasing functionality, flexibility, affordability and safety of robots today contributes to how this dynamic market is reshaping the global manufacturing landscape.”

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