Robot workers in the manufacturing sector are not replacing human workers , rather they are helping companies expand and employ more staff , according to a report by the Association for Advancing Automation . In H1 2016 , a new total of 14,583 robots were employed by US firms , a 2 % rise on turnover , with Automotive OEMs and component suppliers the driving forces behind the figures . The report also noted that robots have become more attractive to small and medium - sized firms as they are easier to integrate into workflow , while across the globe , " robot sales and employment are steadily increasing . "
Robot workers in the manufacturing sector are not replacing human workers, rather they are helping companies expand and employ more staff, according to a report by the Association for Advancing Automation. In H1 2016, a new record of 14,583 robots were purchased by US firms, a 2% rise on 2015, with Automotive OEMs and component suppliers the driving forces behind the figures. The report also revealed that robots have become more attractive to small and medium-sized firms as they are easier to insert into workflow, while across the globe, "robot sales and employment are steadily rising."