World Robotics 2004

Robotics technology aims to improve productivity and product quality, and to eliminate workplace hazards, such as those related to exposure to heat, gases and chemicals or those where heavy lifting or monotonous work movements are involved. Published jointly by the United Nations and the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), this annual publication contains comparable international statistics on industrial robotics, as well as on service robots. Detailed statistics are given for 20 countries, broken down by application areas, industrial branches, types of robots and by other techno-economic variables, as well as data on production, exports and imports for selected countries. It also highlights trends in robot densities. This edition analyses developments during 2003 and gives forecasts up to 2007. It contains a number of case studies showing actual robot installations and their effect on costs, production, employment structure and overall profitability.