Articles from International Federation of Robotics

Global industrial robotics installations are forecast to surpass 700,000 units in 2028 – representing a compound annual growth rate of about 7% (CAGR, 2025-2028). On their way to strengthen competitiveness, companies actively set up strategies to benefit from female participation. Success stories from the Americas, Asia and Europe show how women contribute to the development of next-generation robotic systems. To give women in the industry more visibility and acknowledgment, the International Federation of Robotics awarded 11 women shaping the future of robotics in 2026.

A new generation of AI-powered robots moving from research labs into the real world is fueled by AI tech companies and analysts forecasting a multitrillion-dollar market. The vision is to give artificial intelligence its own robot body. What are the trends, challenges, and commercial applications? The International Federation of Robotics has released its new positioning paper “AI in Robotics”.

The International Federation of Robotics reports on the top 5 trends for the robotics industry for 2026.

The 2025 “Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics & Automation” (IERA) goes to OTTO by Rockwell Automation for its pioneering achievement in developing the company’s autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). OTTO was the first company to build an AMR solution capable of transporting heavy loads through factories and operating in robot fleets larger than 100 units, setting a technological milestone in professional service robotics.

The total number of service robots sold for professional use reached almost 200,000 units in 2024, marking a 9% increase. Staff shortages are a key driver for companies to use robots designed for trained professionals. At the same time, the growing elderly population is increasing demand for medical robots. These findings are presented in the World Robotics 2025 Service Robots report by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

Humanoids are considered to be the next big thing in robotics: China, the world's largest market for industrial robots, has set out specific targets for its plans to mass-produce humanoids. Meanwhile, tech companies in the US and Europe are announcing significant funding. The vision is to create general-purpose robots based on human motion mechanics. What are the trends, opportunities, and potential limitations of humanoids? The International Federation of Robotics has released a new positioning paper that provides valuable insights.

The Japanese automotive industry installed a total of about 13,000 industrial robots in 2024. This is an 11% increase compared to the previous year and the highest level recorded since 2020. These are preliminary results, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

Investment in automating the car industry in Europe remains high. The total number of industrial robots installed reached 23,000 in 2024, which is the second-best result in five years. These are preliminary results presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

Automakers in the United States have invested in more automation: total installations of industrial robots in the car industry increased by 10.7%, reaching 13,700 units in 2024. These are preliminary results, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

China’s National Development and Reform Commission has announced to set up a state-backed venture capital fund focused on robotics, AI and cutting-edge innovation. The long-term fund is expected to attract nearly 1 trillion yuan (US$138 billion) in capital from local governments and the private sector over 20 years. This initiative aims to continue China's technology-driven success story in manufacturing: In ten years, the country's global share of industrial robot installations has risen from around one-fifth to more than half of the world's total demand.

Employment across all sectors in the European Union hit the highest level in twenty years: The employment rate for people aged 15-64 reached 71.7%. At the same time, the employment gap between men and women has narrowed. Since 2005, it has declined from almost 15% to 10% today. However, EU manufacturing is lagging behind.

Economies around the world are investing in robotics to support industry and society. But government research and development (R&D) programs are following different strategies. World Robotics R&D Programs 2025, published by the International Federation of Robotics, analyses official funding strategies in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

The global market value of industrial robot installations has reached an all-time high of US$ 16.5 billion. Future demand will be driven by a number of technological innovations, market forces and new fields of business. The International Federation of Robotics reports on the top 5 trends for the robotics industry for 2025:

China's adoption of robots continues at a rapid pace: The country has surpassed Germany and Japan in the ratio of robots to factory workers, taking third place in the world in 2023. This is according to the World Robotics 2024 report, published by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

At its recent Third Plenum, China mapped out the direction of the country's economic policies: Beijing wants to adapt to the new round of industrial transformation by using robots as an engine for growth. China's success story with industrial robots is unique: the country is by far the largest robot market in the world.

The 2024 “Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics & Automation” (IERA) goes to Realtime Robotics. The US company from Boston won the prestigious prize for its fully-automatic motion planning tool for industrial robots. The solution develops an optimized “choreography” for robots closely working together in workcells without collision. This year, for the first time, all four finalists are newcomers in the industry.

Manufacturing companies in the United States have invested heavily in more automation: total installations of industrial robots rose by 12% and reached 44,303 units in 2023. Number one adopter is the car industry followed by the electrical and electronics sector. These are preliminary results, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

The stock of operational robots around the globe hit a new record of about 3.9 million units. This demand is driven by a number of exciting technological innovations. The International Federation of Robotics reports about the top 5 automation trends in 2024:

Driven by the high volume of industrial robot installations, the world hit a new record of 3.9 million operational robots in 2022. The top most automated countries measured by robot density are: The Republic of Korea (1,012 robots per 10,000 employees), Singapore (730 units) and Germany (415 units). This is according to the World Robotics 2023 report, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

Japan faces a labor shortage impact in 2024 as new overtime regulations for truck drivers come into force. This is being called the ‘2024 problem’ - its potential disruptions need technological help. The world´s number one robot manufacturing country is developing automation strategies that will not only target logistical issues but also a wide range of industry challenges the new working time legislation will cause.

The total number of service robots sold for professional use hit 158,000 units in 2022 - an increase of 48%. Shortage of staff is a strong driver for companies to automate.

The new World Robotics report shows robot installations in the United States were up by 10% to 39,576 units in 2022, almost matching the all-time peak level of 40,373 units achieved in 2018.

Labor shortage has become one of the most pressing challenges for small and midsized enterprises (SME) in OECD countries. The manufacturing sector is hit especially hard by high job vacancy rates. Since robots are becoming easier to install, implement and operate, SMEs have greater access to automation. The new Go4Robotics online platform by IFR provides independent guidance for their automation journey.

Industrial robots in Europe are on the rise: The European Union´s (EU) 27 member states installed almost 72,000 units in 2022 – up 6% year-on-year. These are PRELIMINARY results, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

The North American robotics market showed strong growth: Total installations in manufacturing rose by 12% and reached 41,624 units in 2022. Number one adopter is the automotive industry: companies based in the US, Canada and Mexico installed 20,391 industrial robots – up 30% compared to 2021. These are preliminary results, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

Sales of industrial robots in India reached a new record of 4,945 units installed. This is an increase of 54 percent compared to the previous year (2020: 3,215 units). In terms of annual installations, India now ranks in tenth position worldwide. These are findings of the report World Robotics, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

The automotive industry has the largest number of robots working in factories around the world: Operational stock hit a new record of about one million units. This represents about one third of the total number installed across all industries, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

The stock of operational robots around the globe hit a new record of about 3.5 million units – the value of installations reached an estimated 15.7 billion USD. The International Federation of Robotics analyzes the top 5 trends shaping robotics and automation in 2023.

China’s massive investment in industrial robotics has put the country in the top ranking of robot density, surpassing the United States for the first time. The number of operational industrial robots relative to the number of workers hit 322 units per 10,000 employees in the manufacturing industry. Today, China ranks in fifth place. The world’s top 5 most automated countries in manufacturing 2021 are: South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Germany and China. This is according to the World Robotics 2022 report, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

Sales of professional service robots rose by an impressive 37% in 2021. By region, the strongest growth came from Europe with a market share of 38% followed by North America with 32% and Asia with 30%. At the same time, sales of new consumer service robots grew by 9%, according to the “World Robotics 2022 – Service Robots” report, issued by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

The new World Robotics report shows robot installations in the United States were up by 14% to 34,987 units in 2021 - the second most successful year in history for the robotics industry in the US. This exceeded the pre-pandemic level of 33,378 units in 2019.

The industrial robotics market in China achieved strong growth with a new record of 243,300 installations in 2021 – a rise of 44% compared to the previous year. These preliminary data have been published by the International Federation of Robotics.

This year’s “Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics & Automation” (IERA) goes to Drishti, a video analytics company based in Mountain View, California. Drishti technology supports workers on assembly lines to avoid errors and be more productive. To achieve this, the company has developed the pioneering technology “action recognition”.

The Executive Board of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) has elected Marina Bill of ABB as its new President. Kenji Yamaguchi of FANUC appointed as IFR´s new Vice President.

The North American robotics market experienced its best quarter ever to begin the year: Companies from the US, Canada and Mexico ordered 11,595 industrial robots – up 28% compared to the first quarter of 2021. Revenue rose by 43% and reached a value of USD 664 million. These results are in line with a positive trend worldwide: Preliminary data for 2021 show, that 486,700 industrial robots have been installed globally (+27% year-on-year).

The use of robots plays an important role in reaching the sustainable development goals set out by the United Nations (17 SDGs). The International Federation of Robotics identified 13 SDGs, where robots help to create a better planet.

The operational stock of industrial robots hit a new record of about 3 million units worldwide – increasing by 13% on average each year (2015-2020). The International Federation of Robotics analyzes the top 5 trends shaping robotics and automation around the globe.

The new 5-year plan for the robotics industry in China, released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in Beijing, focuses on promoting innovation - making China a global leader for robot technology and industrial advancement. The statistical department of the International Federation of Robotics reports about the domestic and foreign engagement on the world's largest market.

The use of industrial robots in factories around the world is accelerating at a high rate: 126 robots per 10,000 employees is the new average of global robot density in the manufacturing industries – nearly double the number five years ago (2015: 66 units). This is according to the 2021 World Robot Statistics, issued by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

The World Robotics 2021 Industrial Robots report shows a record of 3 million industrial robots operating in factories around the world – an increase of 10%. Sales of new robots grew slightly at 0.5% despite the global pandemic, with 384,000 units shipped globally in 2020. This trend was dominated by the positive market developments in China, compensating the contractions of other markets. This is the third most successful year in history for the robotics industry, following 2018 and 2017.

The preliminary World Robotics data for China released by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) shows a sales increase of industrial robots by 19% in 2020.

The 2021 “Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics & Automation” (IERA) goes to PixelPaint technology of ABB. Two high-precision robots make car painting faster, more sustainable and flexible – helping manufacturers to efficiently respond to individual demands. Two-tone and customized designs are applied in one pass. The technology eliminates overspray benefitting the environment.

As the economies reopen from the pandemic, Asia, Europe and America adjust their robotics research funding programs (R&D). What are the targets of the officially driven government programs today? This has been researched by the International Federations of Robotics and published in the 2021 update paper of “World Robotics R&D Programs”.