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.