Australian robot sales continue long-term growth trend

Citation

(1999), "Australian robot sales continue long-term growth trend", Industrial Robot, Vol. 26 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.1999.04926eab.003

Australian robot sales continue long-term growth trend

Australian robot sales continue long-term growth trend

Keywords Australia, Robots

A total of 347 robots were installed in Australia in 1998, according to the latest annual survey of the Australian Robotics and Automation Association Inc. (ARAA). The new additions bring Australia's nominal robot population to 3,390 units. However, the Association has no information about how many older robots are still in use.

As Figure 1 indicates, last year's robot installations continue a long-term trend of rising robot use in Australia, although the number of robots installed in 1998 declined from1997. 1997 was an exceptional year for robot sales because of the large number of robots acquired by the automotive sector.

Figure 1 Australia - number of robots added 1990-1998 (ARAA estimate)

The ARAA estimates that the Australian robot marketplace had a value last year of A$43,130,754. Value is defined as the amount paid for a robot and for ancillary equipment and software provided by the robot supplier. It does not include the cost of work on a robot system carried out by the customer or by third parties.

The principal applications and principal industry sectors of robots installed in Australia last year are given in Table I. For the first time ever, the number of robots installed in Australia for palletising and packaging applications exceeded the number installed for welding. This reflects the increasing use of robots by the Australian food industry for applications such as packaging biscuits and chocolates.

The ARAA estimates that 14 of the 347 robots installed last year were manufactured in Australia. Japan continues to be the major producer of Australia's imported robots, followed by Sweden.

ARAA's annual survey of robot installations is part of a worldwide collection of robot statistics co-ordinated by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) and the United Nations. Following IFR guidelines, and in accordance with international standard ISO 8373 for "manipulating industrial robots", the robots counted in this survey have at least three programmable axes. The survey does not include "service robots", such as those used to assist surgeons to carry out endoscopic (keyhole surgery) operations, for which a standardised definition is still being developed.

The Australian Robotics and Automation Association is the national society concerned with the applications and implications of robots and related automation technologies. The Association's membership includes the country's leading robot suppliers as well as interested individuals.

For further information regarding this survey contact Michael Kassler. Tel: (02) 9967 5755; Fax: (02) 9967 5890; e-mail: michaelk@zip.com.au; regarding the ARAA contact Dr Alex Zelinsky, President. Tel: (02) 6279 8840; Fax: (02) 6279 8688; e-mail: alex@keating.anu.edu.au