Last year, robots were ordered and shipped into North America at a record-breaking rate.

While the automotive industry accounts for the bulk of growth, semiconductors and electronics also spiked in the use of robotics.

Now, there are an estimated 260,000 robots working in factories across the continent – but despite fears of robots stealing human jobs, the unemployment rate in the U.S. has dropped to the lowest figure in almost a decade.

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Last year, robots were ordered and shipped into North America at a record-breaking rate. Now, there are an estimated 260,000 robots working in factories across the continent – but despite fears of robots stealing human jobs, the unemployment rate in the U.S. has dropped to the lowest figure in almost a decade

WILL ROBOTS TAKE YOUR JOB? The RIA study suggests that the integration of robotics is creating more jobs for humans. RIA cites the current unemployment rate, which sits at the lowest level since 2008, despite a dramatic rise in robots over the last year. But, recent estimates by the World Economic Forum (WEF), assume a total loss of 7.1 million jobs, offset by a gain of 2 million new positions. For 15 countries, this means a net loss of 5.1 million jobs over the next five years. While men will see approximately one job gained for every three lost over the next five years, women face more than five jobs lost for every one gained. Advertisement

According to Robotic Industries Association (RIA), North American companies ordered 31,464 robots, valued at $1.8 billion in 2015. This marked a 14 percent increase in such units.

The number of robots shipped to the continent grew by 10 percent, with 28,049 units worth $1.6 billion coming in.

These record breaking numbers are in part driven by the rising use of robotics in the automotive industry, which increased its orders over 2015 by 19 percent.

Non-automotive industries also turned more to robotics in the last year, with semiconductors and electronics increasing orders by 35 percent.

With 260,000 robots employed in North American factories, the continent is just third to Japan and China in robot use.

Certain applications are seeing unprecedented growth in robot use, according to Alex Shikany, Director of Market Analysis for RIA.

In 2015, robots for Coating and Dispensing rose by 49 percent, Material Handling by 24 percent, and Spot Welding by 22 percent.

Many people have argued that the integration of robots into the workforce will have its repercussions for human jobs, but the RIA argues that robot performance has so far been parallel to the decline in unemployment in the U.S.

Last month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that the unemployment rate has dropped to 4.9 percent, marking the lowest rate since February 2008, RIA points out.

According to a study released at Davos, changes including the rise of robots and artificial intelligence, 15 countries will result in the loss of 5.1 million jobs over the next five years. Women will be affected hardest, as employment opportunities are often concentrated in areas including sales, office and administrative roles

‘Today there are more opportunities than ever before in the robotics industry,’ said Jeff Burnstein, President of RIA.

‘The continuing growth in robotics is opening many new job opportunities for the people who can program, install, run, and maintain robots.

‘In fact, if you look closer at the jobs discussion, automation is helping to save and create jobs. A lot of companies tell us they wouldn’t be in business without robotics and related automation.’

Still, recent studies have said the opposite.

According to a study released at Davos, changes including the rise of robots and artificial intelligence, 15 countries will result in the loss of 5.1 million jobs over the next five years.

This estimate by the World Economic Forum (WEF), assumes a total loss of 7.1 million jobs, offset by a gain of 2 million new positions.

Women will be hit hardest by the job declines, as employment opportunities are often concentrated in low-growth or declining areas such as sales, office and administrative roles.

While men will see approximately one job gained for every three lost over the next five years, women face more than five jobs lost for every one gained.