North American Robotics Sales Plunge in H1 2024
Robots on the Rocks
Even the high‑tech world of robotics isn’t immune to the sluggish vibes sweeping through the economy. According to the automation advocacy group A3, the North American robotics market took a nosedive in the first half of 2024, both in sales and revenue.
Key Numbers That Bite
- Industrial robot orders in H1 fell 7.5% YoY to 15,705 units.
- Revenue dipped 6.8% to $982.83 million across the two quarters.
A3 points the finger at broader economic headwinds hitting manufacturers hard.
By the Sector: A Mixed Bag
- Automotive – the king of industrial automation:
- OEM order numbers rose 14.4%.
- Revenue fell 12%.
- Component manufacturers: 38.8% drop in sales and 27.3% in revenue.
- Semiconductors hit hard:
- Orders down 40%, revenue 41.4%.
- Supply chain hiccups keep the tail wagging.
What This Means for the Industry
Jeff Burnstein, A3 President, notes that “rising inflation and borrowing costs have nudged companies to hit pause on big robotics spend.” It’s a classic case of wait‑until‑winter but the market didn’t get a chance to warm up.
Silver Linings Amid the Downturn
Despite the gloom, A3 sees some bright spots: demand for robots is still buzzing in food, consumer goods and life sciences, as companies chase efficiency and workforce augmentation. So even when the brain‑machine alliance gets a bit sluggish, there’s still room for the bots to shine in a few niches.
Throwback: The Pandemic Peak and the Post‑Covid Pullback
- 2023 sales dropped 30% to 31,159 orders after a post‑pandemic surge.
- 2022 record: 44,196 units.
- 2021: 39,708 units.
TechCrunch events keep shining a light on these trends, reminding us that a robot’s future isn’t just about cool gadgets, but also how it fits into the broader economic dance.
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Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda
Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.
Big Boosts in Life Sciences and Food Sectors in San Francisco
Hey folks, check out how the latest sales and revenue numbers are looking fire in San Francisco — from October 27 to 29, 2025.
What’s Happening?
- Life Sciences: Sales shot up by 47.9% and revenue popped by 86.7%. That’s like almost doubling everything.
- Food & Consumer Goods: Orders went up by 85.6% and revenue jumped by 56.2%. Delicious progress!
So, Toss Up? Not At All.
After all those pandemic‑era buying sprees, it’s normal for the numbers to settle a bit. Big economic headaches exist, but it’s like a wild roller‑coaster that finally starts heading steadily downhill again. Automation’s still on the cards for most industries – just a matter of when, not if.
