3 October 2002

2001 was a record year for robot investment in Europe but one of plummeting sales in Japan and the United States. Worldwide growth in the period 2002-2005 forecast at an average annual rate of 7.5%. Household robots now on the verge of taking off - UNECE issues its 2002 World Robotics survey

Robot investment in France in 2001 was the second highest ever recorded - Investment projected to grow at an annual rate of 10% in 2002-2005

Germany surpassed United States in 2001, becoming the world's second largest user of industrial robots - Growth projected to be 5% per year in 2002-2005

Italy is Europe's second and the world's fourth largest user of industrial robots - Robot investment projected to grow at an annual rate of 10% in 2002-2005

In 2001, Spain had the third highest level of robot investment in Europe, behind Germany and Italy

In 2001, robot investment surged by 26% in the United Kingdom but is still lagging behind the rest of Europe - Market is projected to grow by 10% per year in 2002-2005

After several years of growth, robot investment came to a temporary halt in the United States in 2001 - Investment is projected to grow at an annual rate of 7% in 2002-2005