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North American robot orders were essentially flat in the first quarter of 2025, with companies purchasing 9,064 units valued at $580.7 million, according to new data released by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). Compared to the year-ago quarter, those figures reflect a 0.4% increase in units ordered and a 15% rise in order value.

A3 noted that demand from automotive OEMs was the primary growth driver, with that sector ordering 3,668 units valued at $263 million — a 42% increase in units and a 78% increase in revenue over the first quarter of 2024. Orders from automotive component suppliers, however, declined 29% in units and 12% in value year-over-year, totaling 1,407 units and $88 million.

Most non-automotive sectors contracted, with the exception of plastics and rubber, which saw 12% growth in units ordered and a 33% increase in order value.

A3 has also begun reporting collaborative robot (cobot) statistics as part of its official quarterly data. In the first quarter of 2025, North American companies ordered 1,052 cobots valued at $39.2 million. Those figures mean cobots accounted for 11.6% of all robots ordered and 6.8% of total revenue this quarter.

Cobot demand was strongest in:

• Life Sciences/Pharma/Biomed: 127 units ($7.1 million)
• Food & Consumer Goods: 114 units ($4.5 million)
• All Other Industries: 419 units ($13.5 million)