Robot Market - By Product (UVC Disinfection Robot, Delivery Robot, Guide/Security Robot), By Technology (AI-powered Robots, Remote-controlled Robots, Autonomous Robots), By End User & Forecast, 2024 - 2032

Robot Market Size

Robot Market was valued at over USD 4.7 billion in 2023 growing at a CAGR of over 15% between 2024 and 2032. The market is driven by several key factors including advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), which enhance the capabilities of robots to perform complex tasks.
 

Increasing labor costs are pushing industries to adopt automation to reduce operational expenses. There is also a growing demand for precision and efficiency, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing and healthcare. The rising adoption of robots across various industries including logistics, agriculture, and retail further propels market growth. These robots are used in applications ranging from packaging to surgery and patient care, significantly improving outcomes and reducing costs Government initiatives and funding support the development and deployment of robotic technologies, while innovations in sensors, power systems, and materials enhance robot functionality.
 

As the global population ages, there is a significant increase in the number of elderly individuals who require care and assistance. Robots can provide vital support in various forms, such as helping with daily activities, offering companionship, and monitoring health conditions. Robots designed for elderly care can significantly enhance the quality of life for seniors by enabling them to live independently for longer periods. Assistive robots can help with household chores, personal hygiene, and transportation, reducing the reliance on human caregivers and family members. Overall, these drivers are expected to continue fueling the expansion of the global market in the coming years.
 

In the robot industry, the challenge of integrating complex technologies, such as AI and ML, into practical applications, may restrain growth. While advancements have been significant, there are still hurdles in making these technologies robust and reliable enough for wide adoption across diverse industries. This includes issues related to algorithmic biases, safety concerns, and the need for continuous updates and maintenance to keep up with evolving technological standards. Addressing these challenges effectively will be crucial for sustaining long-term growth and acceptance of robotic technologies in various sectors.
 

Robot Market Trends

The robots market is witnessing rapid growth driven by the increasing adoption of collaborative robots (cobots) that can work safely alongside humans, surging automation of manufacturing processes across industries, such as automotive and electronics, and the rising demand for service robots in areas including cleaning, delivery, and healthcare. Key trends include the integration of AI and ML for enhanced capabilities, the use of autonomous mobile robots for logistics and material handling, the emergence of cloud robotics for offloading computation and data processing, and a focus on improving human-robot interaction through Natural Language Processing (NLP) and intuitive interfaces. As robots become more prevalent, addressing security and privacy concerns related to their operation and data collection is also gaining importance.
 

Digitization and the Industry 4.0 revolution have encouraged the growth of automation among industries by requiring them to use more advanced and automated solutions, such as robotics and control systems, to enhance their production processes. Robotics utilizes several key elements of Industry 4.0 including connectivity and data. Siemens and Google Cloud formed a partnership to integrate Google Cloud's data cloud and AI/ML technologies with Siemens' factory automation solutions. Furthermore, in March 2022, Mitsubishi developed a robotics system that can work as fast as humans and be controlled via voice commands. The system uses Mitsubishi Electric's Maisart AI technologies, such as high-precision speech recognition, to initiate work tasks, after which operators can fine-tune robot movements as needed.
 

Robot Market Analysis

Based on product, the market is divided into UVC disinfection, fully autonomous, and semi-autonomous robots. The UVC disinfection robot segment is expected to register a CAGR of over 15.5% during the forecast period.
 

• An emerging and rapidly growing segment is UVC disinfection robots, which utilize ultraviolet-C light to kill pathogens and disinfect environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and offices. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly boosted the demand for these robots to enhance sanitization protocols, especially in growing healthcare facility needs. Major players in this niche include UVD Robots, Xenex, PDI Healthcare, and Finsen Technologies.
   
• This increasing adoption of UVC disinfection robots is driven by growing concerns over hospital-acquired infections and the need for enhanced disinfection measures in various indoor environments.
   

Based on end user, the market is divided into retail, healthcare, education & scientific research, residential, food & beverage, and others. The retail segment dominated the global market with a share of over 30% in 2023.
 

• The retail segment is rapidly evolving, with innovations aimed at enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency. Robots are increasingly being deployed in retail environments for customer service, inventory management, autonomous delivery, cleaning, security, and data analytics.
   
• These robots automate routine tasks and provide valuable insights into customer behavior and operational metrics. As retailers strive to stay competitive and meet changing consumer expectations, the adoption of robotics in retail is expected to continue growing, driven by advancements in AI, IoT integration, and the quest for cost reduction and improved service delivery.

North America dominated the global robot market in 2023, accounting for a share of over 38%. North America market for UVC disinfection robots is experiencing significant growth, driven primarily by increasing investments in healthcare infrastructure and a heightened focus on infection prevention measures in the region. The U.S., being the largest market, is leading the way in adopting these robots across hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings.
 

Key factors fueling this growth include rising healthcare expenditure, enabling facilities to invest in advanced disinfection technologies, and stringent regulations & guidelines from organizations, such as the CDC and OSHA, which emphasize effective disinfection practices. Furthermore, the growing aging population, and concerns over Hospital-acquired Infections (HAIs), particularly in long-term care facilities, also fuel market growth. With the increasing need for enhanced disinfection solutions, the North America market for UVC disinfection robots is poised for substantial growth in the coming years.
 

The booming e-commerce sector in Asia Pacific is driving the demand for robotics in logistics and warehousing, contributing to the growth of robot market in the region. Automated storage and retrieval systems, robotic sorting, and last-mile delivery robots are becoming essential for managing the high volume of goods and ensuring efficient operations. Moreover, with a growing elderly population, China is focusing on healthcare and elderly care solutions that include robotic assistance. Robots are being developed and deployed for tasks such as nursing care, rehabilitation, and companionship, addressing the increasing demand for healthcare services. According to UNESCAP, in 2022, around 670 million people residing in Asia Pacific were aged over 60 years.
 

Japan is a global leader in robotics technology, with companies like FANUC, Yaskawa Electric, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries at the forefront of innovation. The country's strong emphasis on research and development ensures continuous advancements in robotic capabilities, efficiency, and applications. The adoption of collaborative robots, or cobots, is on the rise in Japan driving the growth of robot market. These robots can work alongside humans without extensive safety barriers, making them ideal for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that require flexible and cost-effective automation solutions.
 

The South Korean government has been actively supporting the robotics industry through various strategic initiatives and policies. Programs like "Intelligent Robot Development and Supply Promotion Act" and "Robot Future Strategy" aim to promote the development, commercialization, and adoption of advanced robotic technologies across different sectors. The Korean government allocated USD 172.2 million in funding for the “2022 Implementation Plan for the Intelligent Robot”.
 

Robot Market Share

BAE Systems PLC and Kongsberg Gruppen, two major defense contractors that have entered the growing robot industry, hold a market share of over 35%. BAE Systems has developed a fully autonomous UV disinfection robot, the COVID-19 Disinfector, to sanitize healthcare facilities and other high-traffic areas. Kongsberg Gruppen, through its subsidiary Kongsberg Maritime, offers the SOFI robot, a mobile, autonomous UVC disinfection solution designed for hospitals, ships, offshore installations, and other environments requiring stringent disinfection protocols.
 

These defense giants are leveraging their expertise in autonomous systems and robotics to provide innovative solutions, tapping into the increasing demand for such technologies spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic and growing concerns over healthcare-associated infections.
 

Robot Market Companies

Major players operating in the robot industry are:

• BAE Systems PLC
• Kongsberg Gruppen
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Elbit Systems Limited
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Leonardo SPA
• Aerovironment Inc.
   

Robot Industry News

• In October 2022, ABB launched its smallest-ever industrial robot, offering unique possibilities for faster, more flexible, and high-quality production of wearable intelligent gadgets. With its compact size, class-leading payload, and improved accuracy, the IRB 1010 allows electronics manufacturers to expand their production of devices including advanced watches, earphones, sensors, and health trackers via automation.
   
• In February 2022, Yaskawa Motoman, one of the world's largest manufacturers of industrial robots, launched two new collaborative robots - HC10DTP and HC20DTP, each with six axes. The highly reliable robots added to the easy capability of Yaskawa's HC-series line.
   

The robot market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD Million and Units) from 2021 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Product

• UVC disinfection robot
  • Fully autonomous
  • Semi-autonomous
• Delivery robot
• Guide/ security robot

Market, By Technology

• AI-powered robots
• Remote-controlled robots
• Autonomous robots
• Others

Market, By End User

• Retail
• Healthcare
• Education & scientific research
• Residential
• Food & beverage
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA