ANN ARBOR, MI—Industrial robot sales saw record highs in 2018, especially when looking at orders from nonautomotive companies, according to the latest numbers from the Robotics Industries Association. Overall, 35,880 robots were shipped last year, a 7 percent increase over 2017.

ANN ARBOR, MI—Industrial robot orders in 2018 grew 24 percent over the previous year in the life sciences, food and consumer goods, plastics and rubber and electronics industries, according to the Robotics Industries Association. The main reasons are lower robot prices, and robot systems that are easier to install, integrate and program.