In our workaday world, it is hard to imagine a way of life that involves minimal use of technology.  From the timer on our coffee maker, set to 6:30 a.m. to brew our favorite roast, to the captivating ride in an autonomous hybrid automobile, it is challenging to think of life without such technological advances.  Over the past decade, the demand and scope of technology-based products have only increased.  What once only existed in movies now exists in reality – the creation of machines whose purpose is to manufacture other machines.  The Census Bureau recently incorporated technology-based questions on several of our surveys to help us paint a better picture of how technology is influencing the American economy.

For the 2018 Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM), a special inquiry added to the survey obtained information about robotics at the establishment level.  Data about the capital expenditures for new and used industrial robotics equipment, the number of industrial robots in operation for the survey period, and the quantity of industrial robots purchased during the survey period were ascertained from the special inquiry.   

Like the ASM, the Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (ACES) added a new robotics question to its 2018 survey.  This survey acquired the dollar volume of capital expenditures spent on both industrial and service robots (new and used).  Companies were instructed to include software, installation, and other one-time costs associated with the robotics equipment in their responses.  

The Annual Business Survey (ABS), conducted by the Census Bureau and the National Science Foundation's National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, provides annual data on select economic and demographic characteristics of employer businesses.  The technology and intellectual property section of this survey obtains information on artificial intelligence, cloud-based computing systems and applications, and robotics.

Similar to prototypes for our favorite tech gadgets, the data from the aforementioned Census Bureau surveys must pass a series of rigorous tests before they are released; however, this does not mean that there is not tech content ready for your consumption on our website.  This recently released page serves to satisfy your desire for technology-related information.  Tech Stats provides a centralized location for individuals to access data releases, research papers, and other items associated with technology’s impact on the economy.  Whenever the Census Bureau releases a product possessing information on this topic, it will be added to the Tech Stats page.  As a renowned source for economic data, we ensure that our products undergo rigorous statistical investigation for quality, and we pursue insight from policymakers, members of academia, and robust data users to make sure our data continue to be relevant and valuable.  Our goal is to provide you with information that is as timely as your coffee that is ready every morning at 6:30 a.m. and as efficient as your favorite hybrid.