The market for articulated robots has emerged as a critical component of the broader robotic automation ecosystem. These robots generally multi-joint manipulators capable of complex motion and reach are increasingly adopted across industries seeking flexibility, precision, and throughput. Over the coming decade, growth in the articulated robot market is expected to be driven by technological advances in control, sensing, artificial intelligence, and materials, as well as continued industrial automation investment across geographies.
Market Overview and Growth Drivers
Articulated robots, sometimes called industrial
robot arms or robotic manipulators, encompass a class of robots with multiple
rotary joints that mimic a human arm’s degrees of freedom. Their utility lies
in their ability to perform tasks such as material handling, welding, assembly,
dispensing, and more with precision, repeatability, and speed. The global
articulated robot market has grown strongly in recent years, buoyed by
Industry?4.0 initiatives, rising wages and labor constraints in manufacturing, and
demand for higher throughput and quality control.
Segment: Payload Capacity
One of the foundational ways to segment the
articulated robot market is by payload capacity. Here, we focus on just two
categories: Up to 16.00?kg and 16.01–60.00?kg.
Up to 16.00?kg
This “light-duty” payload segment is often used for
tasks requiring fine dexterity, speed, and precision, such as small component
handling, electronics assembly, pick & place, light packaging, and certain
dispensing tasks. Because these robots have lower inertia and energy demand,
they can accelerate quickly and are often better suited for dynamic production
lines. They are increasingly leveraged in collaborative robotics (cobots)
settings, where human–robot interaction and safety are key constraints.
Over the forecast period, the up to 16?kg segment is
expected to exhibit robust growth, outpacing heavier categories. This is driven
by growth in electronics manufacturing, SMEs adopting automation, and the trend
toward lighter, more modular factories. In many market reports, the up to 16?kg
segment is projected to record the highest CAGR.
At the same time, adoption faces challenges: these
robots may lack the strength to handle heavier parts, limiting their
applicability in some industrial tasks. Also, the tradeoff between stiffness
and speed must be carefully managed in designs.
16.01–60.00?kg
This mid-payload class bridges the gap between
lightweight precision and heavier industrial manipulators. Robots in this class
can handle moderate loads such as subassemblies, medium parts, machine tending,
and material transport. They tend to be used where throughput demands exceed
what very light robots can achieve but the tasks do not require the heavy
lifting capability of large manipulators.
This segment benefits from broader applicability
across industries, especially in automotive and machinery, where many
subassemblies fall in this weight range. It balances performance, flexibility,
and cost. In many existing market reviews, this payload band commands a
substantial share of the total market.
Between 2025 and 2035, this segment is expected to
grow at a healthy pace, though somewhat slower than the lighter class in
percentage terms, because baseline volumes are already higher and competition
from heavier or lighter robots may exert pressure.
Comparison and Dynamics
While heavier payload classes (above 60?kg) remain
crucial for heavy manufacturing, the two segments considered here (up to 16?kg
and 16.01–60?kg) will likely drive the bulk of new adoption in the next half
decade. The lighter class is the faster-growing segment in percentage terms,
while the mid payload segment will maintain significant absolute share due to
its wider use across manufacturing tasks.
In many markets, the up to 16?kg class is expected
to gain share from heavier classes over time, as efficiencies in lighter robots
improve and their adoption becomes more cost-effective.
Segment: Function (Handling, Welding, Dispensing,
Assembly)
Another critical cross-section is the function or
task the articulated robot performs. We consider four primary functional
categories:
Handling
This is perhaps the broadest and most fundamental
use of articulated robots. Handling includes pick & place, material
transfer, packaging, palletizing, unloading/loading, and general movement of
goods or components. Because many automated production lines require continuous
flow of parts, handling functions often represent a large base demand. The
handling segment typically captures the largest share of functional
applications.
From 2025 to 2035, handling functionality is
expected to remain strong, fueled by growth in e-commerce, logistics
automation, and smart factories. Its sheer breadth of applicability across
industries ensures a steady foundation for the market.
Welding
Robotic welding is a mature and high-value
application of articulated robots. It includes spot welding, arc welding, seam
welding, and similar processes, especially in the automotive sector and heavy
machinery fabrication. Welding demands high precision, heat resistance, and
robustness.
In many regions, automotive producers already employ
extensive robotic welding infrastructure. Future growth in welding robots will
be supported by emerging vehicle types (EVs, battery modules) and by more
flexible architectures for lower volume or specialty production.
Because welding is capital intensive and subject to
strict process controls, penetration in non-automotive sectors is slower, but
there is ongoing opportunity in metal fabrication, energy, aerospace, and
defense applications.
Dispensing
Dispensing involves applying adhesives, sealants,
coatings, solder paste, glues, or other materials in controlled volumes. This
function is used in electronics manufacturing, packaging, pharmaceuticals, and
in assembly lines requiring sealing or bonding.
Dispensing robots require high repeatability, fine
motion control, and integration with vision or inspection systems to ensure
accuracy. As miniaturization and product complexity increase, demand for
automated dispensing robots will grow. The dispensing segment is often cited as
having one of the fastest growth rates among functional categories over the
forecast period.
Assembly
Assembly tasks vary in complexity, from screwing and
insertion to full module assembly. Articulated robots for assembly require the
flexibility to handle varying parts, adapt to tolerances, and sometimes
integrate force feedback or vision.
The assembly application is especially important in
industries like electronics, automotive subassembly, and machinery. As
factories move toward modular and reconfigurable assembly lines, the demand for
robots capable of adaptable assembly will increase.
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Functional Share and Growth Outlook
Historically, handling has commanded the largest
share of the functional segment, with welding and assembly also sizable.
Dispensing is often the fastest-growing due to increasing demand in precision
applications. Over the 2025–2035 period, we expect:
- Handling
will retain its dominant share, with steady growth tied to logistics and
general manufacturing.
- Welding
will grow, though perhaps more modestly, constrained by retrofit cycles
and capital investment budgets.
- Dispensing
will grow rapidly, especially in electronics, pharmaceuticals, and
packaging.
- Assembly
will expand with the proliferation of automation in diverse industries,
especially where flexibility is required.
- The
precise growth rates will vary across payload classes: for example,
lighter robots may more often be used for dispensing and assembly, while
mid payload robots may see more use in handling and welding.
Segment: Industry (Automotive, Electrical &
Electronics, Metal & Machinery, Food & Beverages)
The adoption of articulated robots also depends
heavily on the vertical industry deploying them. We examine four major sectors:
Automotive
The automotive sector is historically the largest
and most mature user of articulated robots. Uses include welding (body shop),
painting, assembly, handling, and quality inspection. As vehicle production
becomes more automated, and as electric vehicles (EVs) proliferate, automotive
manufacturers continue to invest in robotics to improve consistency,
throughput, and cost control.
Between 2025 and 2035, automotive is expected to
remain a core driver of the articulated robot market. The segment will capture
a substantial portion of demand, especially for mid and heavy payload robots
and in welding and assembly functions. Ongoing trends such as battery module
automation, lighter materials, and modular vehicle architectures may open new
opportunities for lighter payload robots in automotive subassembly.
However, the maturity of automotive automation means
growth is incremental, and competition from other industries (electronics,
logistics) will push diversification.
Electrical & Electronics
This industry encompasses consumer electronics,
semiconductors, printed circuit boards, displays, and component manufacturing.
Many tasks in this sector involve small or delicate parts, making lighter
payload robots especially suitable.
As consumer electronics demand continues, and with
rising complexity in devices (e.g. foldable screens, advanced sensors), the
electrical & electronics segment is poised for strong growth in robot
adoption for handling, dispensing, and assembly tasks. The growth rate in this
industry may exceed that of automotive in percentage terms, although absolute
volume might remain lower.
In particular, the demand for high-precision
dispensing (solder paste, adhesives), micro-assembly, and testing automation
offers opportunities for articulated robots tailored to fine tasks.
Metal & Machinery
The metal & machinery sector includes heavy
equipment, tooling, metal fabrication, foundries, CNC machining, and industrial
capital goods. Robots in this industry generally deal with heavy parts,
welding, cutting, material movement, and assembly of large machines.
While heavier payload robots dominate in this
sector, the 16.01–60?kg class still plays a role in handling subassemblies,
polishing, finishing, and lighter metal components. Growth in this industry
aligns with broader manufacturing investment, digitalization, and the push for
more automated machine shops.
Opportunities include integrating robotic handling
with machine tools, flexible machining cells, and automated measurement or
inspection.
Food & Beverages
The food & beverages industry historically lags
in robotics adoption due to hygiene, segmentation, regulatory, and cost
constraints. However, as labor costs rise, demand for automation increases.
Robots in this domain are used for packaging, sorting, picking, palletizing,
cleaning, and sometimes processing tasks.
Because many tasks in food and beverage involve
lighter payloads (packets, containers, trays), the up to 16?kg payload class is
especially relevant here. Also, dispensing (e.g. of sauces, adhesive labels)
and handling are key tasks. Growth in e-commerce packaged goods, fresh produce
automation, and the push for leaner operations will drive demand.
Between 2025 and 2035, food & beverage is
expected to show above-average CAGR in robot adoption, particularly in emerging
markets where labor shortages or cost pressures are more acute.
Industry Mix and Trends
In aggregate, automotive will likely remain the
dominant end user in terms of revenue share, but sectors such as electrical
& electronics and food & beverage are expected to grow faster on a
percentage basis. Metal & machinery offers stable demand tied to industrial
investment cycles.
Because these industries use robots in different
ways, the interplay between payload and function is important. For example:
- Automotive:
heavier payloads, welding and handling, assembly
- Electronics:
lighter payloads, dispensing, precision assembly
- Machinery:
combination of mid to heavy payload, handling, assembly
- Food
& Beverages: lighter payloads, handling and dispensing operations
Thus, lighter payload robots may see strong uptake
in electronics and food sectors, while mid payload robots remain important
across automotive and machinery.
Geographic Analysis
Geography plays a significant role in articulated
robot adoption due to industrialization patterns, labor costs, policy support,
and supply chain considerations. The global market is often divided into Asia
Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of World. In the 2025–2035 timeframe,
regional dynamics are likely to shape growth trajectories.
Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific is expected to lead in both absolute
adoption and growth. Countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, India, and
Southeast Asia are major manufacturing hubs.
North America
North America, led by the United States, is a mature
market with high technology adoption. The region benefits from advanced
R&D, strong demand in automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and defense.
Reshoring trends, advanced manufacturing incentives, and smart factory
initiatives may drive continued investments in robots.
Growth in North America is steady but slower than in
emerging economies. The challenge is balancing capital cost with return on
investment and integrating robots into legacy plants.
Europe
Europe is another mature market with a strong
industrial base. Germany in particular is a hub for automotive, machinery, and
automation technology. European firms invest heavily in robotics, with strong
emphasis on standards, safety, and interoperability.
However, energy costs, labor regulation, and
geopolitical uncertainties may moderate growth. Still, the region is likely to
see continued demand in automotive, machinery, and increasingly in logistics
automation.
Rest of World (Latin America, Middle East &
Africa)
These regions currently represent a smaller share of
the articulated robot market, due to lower industrial automation maturity. But
opportunities exist:
Latin America (notably Brazil and Mexico) benefits
from automotive supply chains and nearshoring.
The Middle East invests in industrial
diversification, aerospace, and energy sectors that may adopt robotics.
Africa, though slower, has greenfield potential in
manufacturing, agro-processing, and logistics automation.
Growth rates in these regions may be higher in
percentage terms, though from a smaller base. Over 2025–2035, select countries
may emerge as new hubs for robotics adoption.
Forecast Summary (2025–2035)
Bringing together the segments, the articulated
robot market over 2025–2035 is expected to evolve with the following patterns:
The lighter payload segment (up to 16?kg) will grow
the fastest in terms of CAGR, driven by demand from electronics, food &
beverages, and collaborative or human-adjacent applications.
The 16.01–60?kg segment will maintain strong
absolute share and steady growth, serving as a versatile class for many
industrial tasks.
Among functions, handling will remain the largest
share, while dispensing and assembly will be high growth segments; welding will
grow steadily but face slower incremental adoption over time.
In industries, automotive will likely retain its
dominant revenue share, while electrical & electronics and food &
beverages will deliver higher growth rates. Metal & machinery will offer
stable demand aligned with industrial investment cycles.
Geographically, Asia Pacific will lead in both
volume and growth, while North America and Europe remain core markets. Emerging
regions in Latin America, Middle East, and Africa will see increasing
penetration but from a smaller base.
In total, the articulated robot market by 2035 is
likely to be substantially larger than today, with a more balanced mix across
payloads, functions, and geographies. Suppliers must navigate competition,
customization demands, service ecosystems, and evolving customer expectations
to capture growth.
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