Machine vision again saw double-digit growth
Machine vision sales in Germany grew by 11 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year. This is reported by the VDMA. Robotics is also growing slightly.


Overall, sales in the "robotics and automation" sector grew by 5 percent to 14.3 billion euros in 2022, the VDMA reports. In addition to machine vision with 3.4 billion euros in sales in 2022, it consists of the subsectors "Integrated Assembly Solutions" (7.4 billion euros in sales) and "Robotics" with 3.5 billion euros in sales. This means that although machine vision is still the smallest sub-sector, it had by far the strongest growth.
Strong growth forecast for all subsectors in 2023
For the year 2023, the VDMA Robotics + Automation predicts growth in machine vision of 7 percent to then 3.6 billion euros in sales. Integrated Assembly Solutions is expected to grow much more strongly, by 17 percent to 8.7 billion euros in sales. Compared to 2022, Robotics is expected to grow the most, by 12 percent to then 3.9 billion euros.
"The robotics and automation industry is on course for growth," says Frank Konrad, Chairman of VDMA Robotics + Automation. "In 2023, the previous record result from 2018 of 15.1 billion euros is likely to be significantly exceeded once again with expected sales of 16.2 billion euros. Currently, full order books characterize the market situation. During the pandemic, suppliers built up large order backlogs, which are now being gradually worked off as bottlenecks in the supply chains ease. This means our industry is finally leaving the pandemic behind."
Energy and mobility transition driving demand
Demand for robotics and automation in manufacturing is being driven by strong transformation trends: Currently, for example, the automotive industry is developing new manufacturing technologies for electric cars. The expansion of renewable energies for climate protection requires the cost-effective and highly automated mass production of green tech products such as fuel cells. According to the VDMA, the aim across all industries is to operate more sustainably, to produce competitively in Europe and to compensate for the shortage of skilled workers.
Company
VDMA Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbauer e.V.Lyoner Str. 18
60528 Frankfurt
Germany
most read

Global Robotics Associations Call for a Joint Automation Strategy
Four international robotics and automation associations have signed the Barcelona Declaration on Robotics and Automation 2026.

Mks Opens European Laser Applications Lab for Pulsed Lasers
Lasers of various power classes are available in separate laboratory rooms, supplemented by Ophir measurement equipment as well as optical benches, optomechanical components, and motion systems from Newport.

European EtherCAT Plug Fest 2026 Sees Record Turnout
The 36th European EtherCAT Plug Fest took place on July 15 and 16, 2026, at Sick’s SIA campus in Waldkirch and was fully booked, with 69 developers from 30 companies in attendance.

Sick increases sales in 2025
In the 2025 financial year, the company increased its turnover to 1.85 billion euros, an increase of 6.5% compared to the previous year.

Zeiss SMT Expands Capacity
At the Oberkochen site, approximately 25,000 square meters of additional space is being built for production and production-related areas.






