2018 industrial robot sales barely eke out year-over-year gain

The International Federation of Robotics (IFR), at a press conference here last week, announced preliminary 2018 figures for the industrial sector of the robotics industry. Last year set another record -- but just barely. It was only up 1% over 2017. No information was given about service and field robotics. It's true that 2017 was a banner year, with a 30% year-over-year gain.