North American Companies Send in the Robots, Even as Productivity Slumps

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North American Companies Send in the Robots, Even as Productivity Slumps

Reuters

By Timothy Aeppel, August 29, 2022

North American companies ordered a record 12,305 robotic machines in the second quarter, 25% more than during the same period a year ago, according to data compiled by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). Despite the increase in spending on automation, however, U.S. productivity fell in the second quarter at its steepest pace on an annualized basis since the government began reporting it in 1948. A3 president Jeff Burnstein says it takes time for companies to fully implement new machinery to maximize its potential, especially in sectors adopting entirely new technologies, such as the auto industry's turn toward electric vehicles. A3 found nearly 60% of the robots ordered in the second quarter went to automotive companies.  ...