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Abstract—Trends of industrial robot installation and

operational stock vary across countries and continents for many

reasons. This paper analyzes annual installation and operational

stock of industrial robots in Europe and America in 2008, 2009,

and 2010. The annual installation of industrial robots has been

analyzed for following application areas: handling, welding,

assembly, processing, dispensing, and other/unspecified.

Applications have been analyzed for European countries with

highly developed automotive industry--Germany, France, Italy,

Spain, and the Czech Republic—and for countries in

America—the United States, Canada, and Mexico in North

America and Brazil and Argentina in South America. Although

other countries in America, such as Chile, Colombia, Puerto Rico,

Peru, and Venezuela, have robot installations, they are not

included in this analysis because of low total levels of industrial

robot applications.

Index Terms—Robots, Industrial Robots, Robot

Applications, Production Processes.

I. INTRODUCTION

Industrial robots are applied in all industrial branches [4,

5]. Industrial robot applications have been increasing year

after year. The increasing trend is related to functional

justification, such as for worker protection in hazardous or

difficult working conditions and for time saving, higher

quality, higher productivity, cost saving, and so on. Robot use

is still the highest in the automotive industry, but other

industrial branches record increasing trends of industrial

robot implementation. Information technology development

has a big influence on changes in robotics that lead to new

functional solutions and capabilities. A variety of industrial

robots are designed for performing special tasks. Applications

around the world by continents are variable for a number of

reasons. In this paper, industrial robot applications are

analyzed for chosen countries in Europe and America

[1,2,6,7,14].

II. APPLICATION OF INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS IN EUROPE

AND AMERICA

Annual installations and the operational stock of industrial

robots in European Union, the rest of Europe, and America

are given in Table 1. The data show the diversity of industrial

robot applications in production processes in Europe and

America.

Sources of data presented in tables and figures are the

International Federation of Robotics (IFR) [1-3], United

Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

(OECD).

Fig 1. Estimated Annual Supply Of Industrial Robots in

Europe and America

Fig 2. Estimated Operational Stock of Industrial Robots in

Europe and America

Industrial Robot Installation in Europe and

America in 2010 Isak Karabegović, Edina Karabegović, Ermin Husak

ISSN: 2277-3754 ISO 9001:2008 Certified

International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT)

Volume 2, Issue 5, November 2012

301

Tables 1 and 2 and Figures 1 and 2 show that 30.630 units

of industrial robots were installed in Europe in 2010, which

was 50% more than in 2009. By application area, handling

represents 52% and welding represents 25% of the total

annual installations in Europe in 2010. The operational stock

in Europe in 2010 (352.031) was an increase of 2% compared

with 2009.

Also from the above tables and figures, in America there

were 17.114 units of industrial robots installed in 2010, which

was 90% more than in 2009. By application area, handling

represents 39% and welding represents 24% of the total

annual installations in America in 2010. The operational stock

in America in 2010 (179.785) was an increase of 4%

compared with 2009.

Table 1. Estimated annual installations and operational stock of industrial robots in 2008-2010 in Europe and America [1,14]

Continent

Annual installations of robots Operational stock of robots

2008 2009 2010 2008 2009 2010

Europe 34.695 20.483 30.630 343.329 343.661 352.031

America 17.192 8.992 17.114 173.977 172.141 179.785

TOTAL Σ 51.887 29.475 47.744 517.306 515.802 531.816

Table 2. Annual installations of industrial robots in 2008-2010 in Europe and America by application area [1,14]

Continent Europe America

Application

Area

2008 2009 2010 2008 2009 2010

Handling 19.136 11.543 16.045 6.860 3.549 6.603

Welding 8.746 4.205 7.801 5.813 3.551 4.181

Assembly 1.366 936 1.202 1.255 844 1.819

Dispensing 1.384 695 1.012 724 162 560

Processing 943 675 845 389 83 300

Other/unspecifie

d

606 704 185 2.131 947 3.360

TOTAL Σ 34.695 20.483 30.630 17.192 8.992 17.114

Figure 3 graphs the Table 2 data for Europe and America.

Figure 4 shows two representative industrial robot

installations.

Fig 3. Estimated Annual Installations of Industrial Robots in

Europe and America by Application Area, 2008-2010 [1]

Fig 4. Examples of Industrial Robot Applications in

Production Process [5]

III. INDUSTRIAL ROBOT APPLICATION IN EUROPE

Industrial robot applications have been analyzed for

European countries with highly developed automotive

industry—Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Czech

Republic. Annual installations have been analyzed for these

application areas: handling, welding, and assembly,

ISSN: 2277-3754 ISO 9001:2008 Certified

International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT)

Volume 2, Issue 5, November 2012

302

processing, dispensing, and other/unspecified. In Table 3, the

annual installation of industrial robots is given by application

area for Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Czech

Republic.

Table 3. Installations of industrial robots in 2010 by selected European countries and application area [1]

Country

Germany

France

Italy

Spain

Czech

Republic Application Area

Handling 6.742 1.111 3.118 991 258

Welding 4.129 496 807 562 72

Assembly 468 106 299 45 13

Dispensing 526 80 79 56 19

Processing 421 61 129 34 13

Other/unspecified 1.714 195 85 208 27

TOTAL Σ 14.000 2.049 4.517 1.897 402

Fig 5. Estimated Annual Installations of Industrial Robots by

Application Area in Germany [1-3]

Table 3 and Figure 5 show that in 2010 Germany installed

14.000 units of industrial robots, 65% more than in 2009.

By application area, handling was 48% and welding was 30%

of the total annual installations in 2010.

Fig 6. Estimated Annual Installations of Industrial Robots by

Application Area in France [1]

Using Table 3 and Figure 6, it can be concluded that 2.049

units of industrial robots were shipped to France in 2010, 41%

more than in 2009. By application area, handling was 54%

and welding was 24% of the total in 2010.

Fig 7. Estimated Annual Installations of Industrial Robots by

Application Area in Italy [1-3]

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Using Table 3 and Figure 7 shows that 4.517 units of

industrial robots were shipped to Italy in 2010, 57% more

than in 2009. By application area, handling was 69% and

welding was 18%.

Fig 8. Estimated Annual Installations of Industrial Robots by

Application Area in Spain [1]

Table 3 and Figure 8 show that in 2010 Spain installed

1.897 units of industrial robots, 41% more than in 2009.

Handling represented 52% and welding was 30%.

Fig 9. Estimated annual installations of industrial

robots by application area in the Czech Republic [1]

Table 3 and Figure 9 conclude that 402 units of industrial

robots were shipped to the Czech Republic in 2010, 56%

more than in 2009. By application area, handling was 64%

and welding was 18% of the total annual installations in 2010.

IV. INDUSTRIAL ROBOT APPLICATION IN AMERICA

Industrial robot applications were analyzed for American

countries [1-3] with highly developed automotive industry.

For North America, these were the United States, Canada, and

Mexico, and for South America, Brazil and Argentina. Other

countries in America were not included in this analysis

because of a low combined level of industrial robot

applications—about 20 to 35 units belonging to Chile,

Colombia, Puerto Rico, Peru, and Venezuela. Annual

installations were analyzed for these application areas:

handling, welding, assembly, processing, dispensing, and

other/unspecified. In Table 4, annual installations of

industrial robots are given by application area for several

countries in America.

Table 4. Annual installations in 2008-2010 by selected American countries and by application area [1,2]

Country North America

(United States, Canada, and Mexico)

South

America

(Brazil and

Argentina) Application Area 2008 2009 2010

Handling 6.860 3.546 6.603 343

Welding 5.813 3.351 4.181 286

Assembly 1.255 844 1.819 11

Dispensing 724 164 580 49

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Processing 389 83 300 13

Other/unspecified 1.201 424 2.873 34

TOTAL Σ 16.242 8.417 16.356 736

Fig 10. Estimated Annual Installations by Application Area

in North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico)

Table 4 and Figure 10 show that 16.356 units of industrial

robots were shipped to North America (United States,

Canada, and Mexico) in 2010, 94% more than in 2009. By

application area, handling represents 40% and welding

represents 26% of the total annual installations in 2010.

Fig11. Estimated Annual Installations in South America

(Brazil and Argentina) and By Application Area in Brazil

Table 4 and Figure 11 show that Brazil and Argentina in

2010 installed 736 units, 36% more than in 2009 for the two

countries. By application area, handling was 50% and

welding was 38% of the total.

V. CONCLUSION

Comparative analysis was made of the estimated industrial

robot annual installations and operational stock in several

countries in Europe and America. Analysis shows that almost

two times as many industrial robots were shipped to Europe

than to America in 2010. Operational stocks of industrial

robots for 2010 are 352.031 in Europe and 179.785 in

America, which is nearly two times higher in Europe

compared with America. For both continents Europe and

America, industrial robot installations have shown a

significant decreasing trend for the last couple of years. The

reason for this can be found in the economic crises in 2009.

Analysis of industrial robots in America and Europe was done

until 2010, so it is essential to monitor the application of

industrial robots by 2012 and predict application of industrial

robots in the future.

REFERENCES [1] United Nations, World Robotics, New York and Geneva, 2010.

[2] United Nations, World Robotics, New York and Geneva, 2008.

[3] United Nations, World Robotics, New York and Geneva, 2006.

[4] V. Doleček and I. Karabegović, Robotics, Tehnički fakultet

Bihać, Bihać, 2002 (in Bosnian).

[5] V. Doleček and I. Karabegović, Robotics in Industry, Tehnički

fakultet Bihać, Bihać, 2002 (in Bosnian).

[6] I. Karabegović and V. Doleček, Applications of robots in 21th

century, 4th International Scientific Conference on Production

Engineering RIM 2003. Bihać, pp. 3-22, 2003 (in Bosnian).

[7] I. Karabegović, E. Karabegović, and E. Husak, Comparative

Analysis of the Industrial Robot Application in Europa and

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International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT)

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Asia, International Journal of Engineering & Technology

IJET-IJENS, Vol. 11, No. 01, pp. 264-268, 2011.

[8] I. Karabegović, M. Jurković, and V. Doleček, Industrial robot

application in the World and Europe. Vrnjačka Banja, pp.

29-45, 2005 (in Bosnian).

[9] V. Doleček and I. Karabegović, Robot distribution, 5th

International Scientific Conference on Production Engineering

Development and Modernization of Production RIM 2005,

Bihać. pp. 3-20, 2005 (in Bosnian).

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[11] Inc. Icon Group International and The Manufacturing Research

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[12] S. Lorenzo, Modeling and Control of Robot Manipulators

(Advanced Textbooks in Control and Signal Processing),

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[13] T. Lung-Wen, Robot Analysis: The Mechanics of Serial and

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[14] N. Pires, A. Loureiro, and G. Bolmsjo, Welding Robots:

Technology, System Issues and Application, 2005.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

D. Sc. Isak Karabegović is a full

professor at Faculty of Technical

Engineering, University of Bihać. He recived

his B.S. degree in Mechanical engineering

from Faculty of Mechnical Engineering,

University of Sarajevo, and M.S. degree

from Faculty of Mechanical Enginering,

University of Zagreb, Croatia, and Dr. Sc.

For theme Comparative Methods of

Dynamic Modeling for Road Vehicle Design

from Faculty of Mechanical Engineering,

University of Sarajevo. He is author of

significant number of university books and scientific papers.

Isak Karabegović

Faculty of Technical Engineering, University of Bihać

Dr. Irfana Ljubijankića, 77000 Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tel: +387 37 226 271;

D. Sc. Edina Karabegović is Assistant professor at Faculty of Technical

Engineering, University of Bihać.

M. Sc. Ermin Husak is a Teaching assistant at Faculty of Technical

Engineering, University of Bihać.