Soft Robotics Market – By Type, By Component, By Material, By Application– Global Forecast, 2025 – 2034

Soft Robotics Market Size

The global soft robotics market size was valued at USD 1.89 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at CAGR of 34.8% to reach USD 35.33 billion by 2034. The growth of market is attributed to increased demand for automation and growth in the hospitality and healthcare industries. The growing demand in the robotics sector for enhanced automation is a major factor the soft robotics industry is experiencing growth, as there is increased usage of soft robots across different industries.
 

For instance, in December 2022, Hyundai Motor Group started two pilot service programs employing PnD modular platform autonomous robots at Rolling Hills Hotel in US. The PnD based robot delivers food and amenity directly to customers’ rooms while another robot takes care of outside delivery services within a residential/commercial complex in collaboration with the Korean delivery firm, Woowa Brothers.
 

As the demand in hospitality and healthcare sectors is growing, the adoption for soft robotics technologies also increasing. According to the report from Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States required additional 0.5 million nurses by 2024 representing an increase of 16% from 2014 figure of 2.7 million. There is increased need for the health services, especially in developed countries with aging population. The increasing demand for healthcare services can be managed by soft robotics in healthcare facilities by automating logistics and providing more time for staff to focus on patient care.
 

The leading market shareholders are integrating advanced robotics technology with developed strategies to improve the quality-of-care for patients. For instance, in May 2021, all hospitals in Mexico had the Intel powered autonomous robot RoomieBot deployed. The RoomieBot performs preliminary evaluations for blood oxygen levels, and body temperature, which is further compared with the patient’s medical history. Such data is processed via AI Intel RealSense algorithms, which enhances operational efficiency and lowers expenses.
 

Soft Robotics Market Trends

• Biological materials are slowly being incorporated into soft robots, making them more flexible and versatile. The biological materials provide 3D actuation along with high compliance and low mechanical impedance. This flexibility helps the soft robots perform more complicated tasks and navigate within complex environments. Due to its dynamic structure and design, the soft robots can operate accurately and safely, and it can be used in several applications in medical and exploratory fields.
   
• The artificial muscles and soft actuators are improving the performance of soft robots, which further improves the range of motion and precision that allows soft robots to complete complex tasks. Such features enables the deployment of soft robots across different industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and environmental monitors.
   
• The robots manufacturers are focusing to reduce weight and size of the robots, by using lightweight materials and 3D printing technology. However, the lightweight and compact structural components enhance soft-robotic efficiency in narrow and complex regions, and further broadened their functional capabilities in other sectors including medicine, search and rescue missions, and environmental monitoring.
   
• Soft robotics are being used in the food and beverage industry for product sorting and packaging, which has shifted the dynamics of food production as well as robotics. ssOssid, a company known for the automation of food packaging, has partnered with Quest and soft robotics to form a new solution in core food packaging based on soft robotics. This partnership utilized the soft robotics’ innovative gripping design together with Quest’s automation features and Ossid’s packaging functionality.
   

Soft Robotics Market Analysis

Based on Type, the market is segmented into soft grippers, inflatable robots, exoskeletons, wearables, others. The soft grippers are expected to grow significantly owing to the increase in applications such as industrial automation, agriculture, and healthcare & surgery.
 

• The soft grippers market is valued at 669.9 million in 2024. The adoption of soft grippers is fueled by the growing demand for automation, the ability to delicately handle objects. The soft grippers are widely used for pick and place operations in the logistics and warehouse. In order to enhance the flexibility of the grippers different designs are developed by integrating sensory feedback, vision systems, and novel mechanisms.
   
• The inflatable robots market is expected to reach over USD 7.41 billion by 2034. The inflated robots utilize fluid-filled or air structure for its movement, due to its such flexibilities and lightweight, it is complaint to interact with delicate object. The incorporation of advanced materials in inflatable robotics and light-weighted actuators is driving the market growth as they allow for enhanced interaction with humans in rehabilitation robotics, as well as in disaster response and space exploration.
   

• The exoskeletons market is anticipated to witness lucrative growth between 2025 to 2034 with a CAGR of over 37.4%. The exoskeletons are wearable robots which are designed to improve human strength, and mobility. It uses flexible materials such as pneumatic actuators, textiles, sensors, and artificial muscles, to help in human movement and maintain comfort. Moreover, increased spending in rehabilitation services, as well as in healthcare, and industry ergonomics to prevent worker injuries, is augmenting the exoskeleton market growth. Military use for enhanced agility and power has also been driving the market growth.
   
• The wearables market is expected to reach over USD 4.66 billion by 2034. The soft robotics wearables are lightweight, flexible, and adaptive devices that can assist, and augment the human operation. The latest trends in soft robotics wearables indicate increasing interest for health monitoring, fitness tracking, as well as augmenting reality applications among the general public, drives the growth of the of the soft robotics wearable market. Flexible electronics, battery life, and miniaturization of sensors, are some of the features, due to which adoption of the soft robotics wearables is increasing.
    

Based on component, the soft robotics market is segmented into soft actuators, soft sensors, control systems, power sources and others.
 

• The soft actuators market is expected to reach over USD 13.88 billion by 2034. The increasing adoption of soft robotics in healthcare, agriculture, and logistics, enhance the demand for soft actuators. These industries requires soft handling processes in complex environment while dealing with delicate objects or engaging in human-robot interactions, thereby increasing the soft robotics actuator market.
   
• Soft Sensors held a market share of over 25.7% in 2024. Manufacturing processes are being automated owing to improved AI capabilities along with the development of AI-based automation and tactile sensing technologies. In these processes the soft sensors are being deployed for different applications in wearable robotic devices, artificial limbs, and real-time force sensing feedback systems.
   
• The control systems market is expected to reach over USD 5.7 billion by 2034. The soft robotics control systems are integrated with AI, intelligent automation, machine learning, and adaptive algorithms that help to achieve more integrated and better autonomous control of robotic grippers, sensors, actuators, and others.  The soft robotics control systems are immensely useful in manufacturing as well as medical robotics.
   
• Power sources held a market share of over 25.7% in 2024. The soft robots use pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, and chemical power sources. The manufacturers are developing compact, lightweight, and wearable power sources which can be used in remote medical procedures, exploring, and autonomous robotic systems.
   

Based on material, the soft robotics market is segmented into elastomers, gels, fabrics and others.
 

• The elastomers segment held a market share of 10.3% in 2024. The demand for elastomers is increasing for the flexible, versatile, and highly adaptable robotic grippers due to its excellent elasticity and resilience. These grippers are widely used in industrial automation and medical applications, as they have very complex operations and requires flexible and soft grippers.
   
• The gel based soft robots utilizes elastomeric gels, which can expand, contract, self-heal, or change shape in response to heat, light, and electric field. The development of electroactive and temperature-sensitive gels is advancing the stiffness-modulating precision grip in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications where the gels can control softness and mimic biological tissues.
   
• Fabric is integrated with actuators and sensors to develop flexible and wearable robotic system, which are powered by pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric stimulation. Increasing adoption of lightweight wearable robotic systems, as well as soft exoskeletons, is boosting the use of fabric-based soft robotic grippers for medical assistive devices, adaptive clothing, and military & sports gears.
   

Based on applications, the market is segmented into medical and healthcare, food and logistics, automotive, agriculture and others.
 

• The medical and healthcare market is anticipated to witness lucrative growth between 2025 to 2034 with a CAGR of over 35.2%. The increasing use of prosthetic hands, legs, arms, and other parts to enhance the patient mobility is driving growth of the soft robotics in medical and healthcare market. Moreover, increasing use of exoskeletons to assist stroke patients and spinal cord injured patients.
   
• The Food and Beverage soft robotics market is projected to grow significantly, reaching over USD 11.78 billion by 2034. The soft robotics is widely used in the food and beverage industry to provide automated, efficient, and safe processing, handling, and packaging of the food and beverage products. Moreover, due to stringent regulations and labor shortage, the demand for market in food and beverages is increasing.  
   
• The logistics market is anticipated to witness lucrative growth between 2025 to 2034 with a CAGR of over 33.8%. Soft robotics is altering logistics while increasing efficiency and lowering labor expenses through automating of sorting, picking, and packing orders. Integration soft robotics with AI and IoT improves the management of inventories and further tasks within the supply chain.
   
• The automotive soft robotics market is projected to grow significantly, reaching over USD 3.6 billion by 2034. In the automotive, soft robotics constructs delicate parts, paints vehicles, and checks for quality. The effectiveness and flexibleness of soft robots boosts production processes and helps the progress of automated production systems.
   
• The agriculture market is anticipated to witness lucrative growth between 2025 to 2034 with a CAGR of over 31.3%. Soft robotics facilitates pest and crop management, harvesting, and precision farming. These technologies promote sustainability while improving productivity and reducing the noise and damage inflicted on crops.
   

The North America Soft robotics market is projected to grow significantly, reaching over USD 12.31 billion by 2034. The growth of North America market is attributed to the proactive regulatory environment that encourages innovation while ensuring the safety and efficacy of new technologies.
 

• The U.S. market is projected to grow significantly, reaching over USD 10.22 billion by 2034. The growth of the market in the U.S. is attributed to the growing requirements for secure and flexible automation systems in several industries, especially in delicate handling for healthcare, food, and electronics manufacturing, requires interaction with highly sensitive objects. The government initiatives are supporting the development of soft robotics industry. The U.S. government is offering university grants, federal funding programs, and defense research, to support the customers and stakeholders to develop the market.
   
• Canada Soft robotics market is anticipated to witness lucrative growth between 2025 to 2034 with a CAGR of over 29.8%. In Canada, the market for soft robots in the service industry, specifically in last mile delivery, is experiencing robust growth fueled by AI integration, advancements in materials science, and demand for flexible automation in logistics, healthcare, and defense industries. For instance, in February 2022, a Toronto based researchers at U of T Engineering developed a polymer soft robot, which is combined with carbon nanotubes, functioning as an "artificial muscle" that contracts in response to electric currents. This innovation is part of a broader focus on new materials for soft robotics. The project is one of three U of T Engineering initiatives funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation. The funding supports advancements in robotics and material science, driving innovation in soft robotic applications.
   

The soft robotics market in Europe is expected to experience significant growth with a CAGR of 34.4% by 2034. The rising growth of the Industry 4.0, coupled with strict safety requirements in the workplace, and widespread employment of automation in the automotive and food processing industries, aid in the development of the market. Economies like Germany, the UK, and France are early adopters of soft robotics technology for industrial uses, thus creating a large demand in manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. Their focus on automating processes and advances in robotics, as well as strong spending on AI-dedicated resources, fuels the growth of the Europe market.
 

• UK soft robotics market is set to grow significantly, with projections indicating it will exceed USD 1.19 billion by 2034. The use of soft automation is gradually expanding in the hospitality and quick service restaurants in the UK. For instance, Miso Robotics’ Flippy 2, a foodservice robot is working at fried food stations, which is improving the efficiency of foodservice operations. Robots are also being used by companies to enhance service quality and reduce service time. The proliferation of soft robotics is being enhanced with the growing demand for automation.
   
• Germany soft robotics industry is anticipated to witness lucrative growth between 2025 to 2034 with a CAGR of over 37.6%. Germany is the leading in the use of soft robotics across Europe for medicine owing to the country’s strong economy, industrial development, growth of Industry 4.0 phenomena, and advanced technological development. The investments in the Germany are directed towards aiding rehabilitation, surgical robots, and other robotics application in patient care. In addition, there is an increase of domestic nonprofessional robots like vacuum and lawn mower robots and the market is further stimulated by government grants and private investment.
   
• France Soft robotics market is set to grow significantly, with projections indicating it will exceed USD 1.72 billion by 2034. Soft robotics is one of the areas the Franch government supports through funding and other forms of research assistance. The healthcare system has great potential in the senior citizens care, rehabilitation, and surgery assistance robotics. The agricultural industry is also adopting robotic systems for precision farming and harvesting. The integration of industrial automation in manufacturing and logistics is broadening the market.
   
• Italy market is anticipated to witness lucrative growth between 2025 to 2034 with a CAGR of over 31.4%. Italy soft robotics industry is driven by its advanced research institutes, strong industrial automation, and robotics applications in the automotive, manufacturing, and agriculture industries. The market witnesses notable growth due to robotics developments in precision farming, harvesting, and warehouse automation. In the healthcare sector, caregiving, rehabilitation, and medication supervision is partially assisted by robots in hospitals.
   
• Russia Soft robotics market is set to grow significantly, with projections indicating it will exceed USD 587.6 Million by 2034. Russia is focusing on soft robotics, particularly in healthcare for mobility enhancements, in defense for soldier mobility and endurance, and in manufacturing for food and packaging industry. Hospitality and retail industries are quickly adopting soft robots, which serves customers in restaurants and retail stores. However, the market in Russia is still in early stages as compared to other countries.
   
• Spain market is anticipated to witness lucrative growth between 2025 to 2034 with a CAGR of over 29.6%. The soft robotics in Spain is implemented in several applications across healthcare, agriculture, logistics, and hospitality. Moreover, the demand for soft robotics is increasing in the rehabilitation and care bots for elderly people specifically for mobility enhancement and stroke recovery. Further, the adoption of soft robotics is also increasing in agricultural practices such as robotic harvesting and precision farming.
   

The Asia Pacific Soft robotics market is anticipated to witness lucrative growth and is expected to reach over USD 551.4 million by 2024. The soft robotics industry in the APAC region is growing due to the rise in smartphone usage, better internet accessibility, and robust investment into smart city projects. Such trends are increasing the need for automation technologies in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics, which are further driving the use of soft robotics.
 

• China market is anticipated to witness lucrative growth between 2025 to 2034 with a CAGR of over 38.4%. There is a significant expansion in the market of soft robotics in China owing to the rising level of automation in various industries. The government’s support and increase in funding for research and development is rapidly improving the automation sector. The demand for residential robots and companion robots is also increasing in China. Moreover, rise in miniaturization of the consumer electronics in China is increasing the demand for soft robotics for its manufacturing and assembly.
   
• India Soft robotics industry is set to grow significantly, with projections indicating it will exceed USD 964.3 million by 2034. The soft robotics in India is gaining traction, as the demand for automation in healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing is increasing. Government is also providing several incentives for the development of the robotics technologies, which drives the growth of the market. There is increasing adoption of healthcare robots for surgeries and patient care.
   
• Japan Soft robotics market is anticipated to witness lucrative growth between 2025 to 2034 with a CAGR of over 36.9%. Due to an increase in the elderly population, the demand for robots is rising in residential, and healthcare sector in Japan. Elderly consumers are adopting patient care robots at home, or going to rehabilitation centers. Such adoption is driving the market growth in Japan. Moreover, space and AI robotics research in Japan have received substantial funding from the government to develop advanced technologies, which will contribute to the growth of the market.
   
• South Korea industry is set to grow significantly, with projections indicating it will exceed USD 1.86 billion by 2034. The government of South Korea is focusing to develop certain solutions in robotics for the healthcare, manufacturing, and retail sectors. These solutions include soft robotics grippers, flexible robotics arm, AI-integrated robots, exoskeletons, and robots for food packaging, among others, which drives the market growth. The demand for medical care robots is increasing in South Korea, which assist the elderly person and in surgical procedures, further drives the market.
   
• ANZ Soft robotics industry is anticipated to witness lucrative growth between 2025 to 2034 with a CAGR of over 35.3%. The soft robotics in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) is widely used in agri-tech to support in fruit and vegetable harvesting, Automated weed removal, and livestock monitoring & handling applications. Further, soft robotics is also used as assistive robots in healthcare, and AI-driven robotics arm for delicate material handling and warehouse automation. Such applications propel the growth of the market in Australia and New Zealand region.
   

The Soft robotics market in Latin America is expected to experience significant and promising growth from 2025 to 2034. In Latin America, the market is experiencing growth due to factors such as increasing broadband internet access, rising adoption of smartphone, and the expansion of digital banking and e-commerce platforms.
 

• Brazil Soft robotics industry is expected to expand rapidly, with a CAGR of over 26.9% by 2034. Soft robotic technologies have been integrated in the agroindustry in Brazil for crop scouting and harvesting. In health services, robotics is being developed for patient care, rehabilitation, and telemedicine. Moreover, the robotic supermarket store automates customer interaction and general services in a retail store.
   
• Mexico market is set to grow significantly, with projections indicating it will exceed USD 921.7 million by 2034. Manufacturing industries in Mexico are utilizing industrial soft robotics for assembly, welding, and material handling. The demand for soft robotics is increasing in Mexico, due to rising automation in planting, harvesting, and crop monitoring.
   

The Soft robotics market in MEA is expected to reach over 7.97 billion by 2034. The growing adoption of soft robotics for enhancing operational efficiency in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing is driving market growth in this region
 

• UAE market is set to grow significantly, with projections indicating it will exceed USD 671.9 million by 2034. The UAE is developing soft robotics for cleaning, servicing, and health care in the hospitality, healthcare, retail and construction industries. The hospitality industry uses robots as concierges, entertainers, and cleaners in hotels and airpots. The UAE is focusing on R&D in robotics and is working with leading global robotics companies and universities.
   
• Saudi Arabia industry is set to grow significantly, with projections indicating it will exceed USD 610.6 million by 2034. Robotics adoption in different industries is being accelerated by increased automation in oil production as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Soft robotics are being used in Saudi Arabia hospitals for disinfection, and direct patient care. Soft robotics are also incorporated into hospitality for customer and room service.
   
• South Africa Soft robotics industry is expected to expand rapidly, with a CAGR of over 33.4% by 2034. Soft robotics in South Africa are used in telemedicine, patient treatment, and internal hospital logistics in healthcare sector. Robotics in South Africa have potential use in agriculture in planting, crop monitoring, and harvesting. They are also used in the e-commerce and logistics industries for order fulfillment and warehousing.
   

Soft Robotics Market Share

The Soft robotics industry is highly competitive. Festo AG, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, and ABB Group are the top 3 companies accounting for a significant share of 36.6% in the market.  The players in the market compete through technological advancements, cost efficiency, and industry-specific applications. Intensification of competition is driven by increasing automation in healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics.
 

Companies are heavily investing in R&D to develop AI-powered soft robots with enhanced adaptability, and energy efficiency. Moreover, the integration of soft robotics with IoT, machine learning, and cloud computing further intensifies competition, making continuous innovation is a key differentiator.  Partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions are common strategies adopted by major players to expand market reach and enhance technological capabilities. Prominent players are forming strategic alliances to develop cost-effective and application-specific soft robotic solutions.
 

Soft Robotics Market Companies

List of prominent players operating in the market include:

• Soft Robotics
• iCOBOTS
• Festo AG
• ReWalk Robotics
• Yaskawa Electric Corporation
   

Soft Robotics Inc. is a prominent company in the soft robotics, specializing in cutting-edge automated picking systems with 3D vision and AI-powered soft grippers. For instance, in November 2022, Soft Robotics Inc. (SRI) announced an initial Series C closing of USD 26 million, which the company plans to use for the commercial deployment of its mGripAI™ robotic picking solutions. mGripAI, an easy-to-install automation system, integrates sophisticated 3D artificial intelligence imaging along with rapid soft grasping patented technologies that provide industrial robots with human-like hand-eye coordination.
 

Somnox is a soft robotic company offering science-based sleep companions that assist with breathing and calming the mind. Somnox utilizes numerous intelligent sensors that monitor breathing patterns and, respond by seamlessly easing into an optimal range for deep slumber. 
 

Soft Robotics Industry News

• In August 2024, Schmalz has expanded its gripper portfolio with the acquisition of the mGrip product family from Soft Robotics (SRI). This acquisition includes all soft finger gripper configurations, patents, and related expertise. With this move, Schmalz strengthens its position in the food handling sector and enhances its capabilities in soft robotics solutions. The transaction aligns with Schmalz’s strategy to expand its technological offerings and market presence.
   

The soft robotics market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue (USD Million) from 2021 – 2034 for the following segments:

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Market, By Type

• Soft Grippers
• Inflatable Robots
• Exoskeletons
• Wearables
• Others

Market, By Component

• Soft Actuators
• Soft sensors
• Control systems
• Power sources
• Others

Market, By Material

• Elastomers
• Gels
• Fabrics
• Others

Market, By Application

• Smartphones
• Tablet
• Desktop PC
• Laptop
• Connected home devices
• Others

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

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europ 
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
• Asia Pacific 
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America 
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa 
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE