The highest number of robots to be sold over a three-month period in the UK has been recorded in figures released yesterday.

More than 500 robots were sold in the third quarter of 2004 according to the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA).

The University of Warwick-based group said sales showed there was still significant investment being made in British manufacturing and that the industry could remain profitable if the technology was used appropriately.

A spokesman said 400 of the robots were bought by car-makers Toyota and BMW.

He said pharmaceuticals, food and drink and construction materials firms faced with a lack of labour and unable to relocate to countries where wage costs were lower were showing an interest in the automated products available.

BARA chairman Dr Ken Young said the development of low-cost vision systems for robots over the next ten years would have as much impact on the way we worked as the PC had done over the past ten years.