Nidec says demand for robot parts has grown by seven times

Nidec, a Japanese electric motor manufacturer, says demand for its speed reducers has grown seven-fold. 

The increase in orders has led the company to invest an additional $36 million in new equipment at its factory – operated by subsidiary Nidec-Shimpo – to produce more of the component.

Speed reducers are a core part in robots, and are used to control robotic limbs and give them power. 

According to Nikkei, Nidec previously produced 5,000 units a month, but the company had to boost production to 10,000 by May. And it will have to go to 20,000 units by next March because of even more orders.

Nidec-Shimpo is said to hold a market share of 5 per cent, but with the increases in production projected to take it to 20 per cent within two years.

Nidec-Shimpo has been in the market just two years.