Robot installation rates climb in Japan's automotive sector

In the global landscape of industrial robotics, the statistics for 2024 are yet to be released. However, a significant shift is evident in Japan, where the automotive sector has seen a surge in robot installations.

The increase can be attributed to a broader move towards expanding manufacturing capabilities for battery and fuel cell electric vehicles, as well as increased interest in hydrogen-fuelled combustion engines. This shift was facilitated by the automated robots, as suggested by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), which highlighted their potential to assemble a more diversified portfolio of vehicles and drivetrains in the Japanese automotive industry.

The electronics sector remained the leading industry for robotic installations in Japan in 2024, but the automotive sector followed closely behind. The automotive industry accounted for approximately 25% of annual robotic installations, second only to the electronics sector.

Japan's automotive industry ranked fourth worldwide in terms of factory automation in 2023, with a robot density of 1,531 robots per 10,000 employees. In 2024, this number saw a significant increase, outpacing the industry's performance in the United States and Germany. However, it still lagged behind Slovenia, Korea, and Switzerland.

The year 2024 marked a high point for industrial robot installations in Japan, with a total of 13,000 robots installed across sites, the highest number since 2020. The company that installed the highest number of industrial robots in Japan in 2024 is not explicitly named in the provided search results. However, Qinglang, the world's leading manufacturer with over 100,000 commercial robots sold, may have played a significant role in this activity, although the specifics of their Japanese installations are not clear.

Major Japanese OEMs, such as Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi, entered into agreements in 2023 to collectively explore next-generation EVs, further underscoring the industry's commitment to robotics and automation. Mazda also announced that a new EV would begin production at its Hofu plant in Yamaguchi, Japan, earlier this year.

Takayuki Ito, president of the IFR, commented that the increased usage of robotics across Japanese manufacturing "characterizes modern industrial workplaces". The IFR, a not-for-profit member organization, continues to advocate for the benefits of robotics in various industries.

As Japan continues to lead the world in robot manufacturing, with 38% of global robot production, the future of industrial robotics in the country looks promising. The automotive industry, in particular, is poised for further growth, as it navigates the complexities of electric vehicle production and the ongoing global shift towards automation.