Robotics Industry Doubles since 2015

Based on new figures from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), this article provides a sneak preview of what will be included in our the next GII Global Innovation Tracker 2024 release on September 26 this year.

Between 2012 and 2022 the number of newly installed robots has been on a steep rise, with average annual growth rates of 13.3%.^[1] While robot installations fell slightly during the last two economic downturns (see 2009 and 2020 of figure 1), the general trend direction is a continuous upward trajectory. New robot installations surged year on year in 2021 (+35%) and continued to grow in 2022 (+5.1%), both years surpassing half a million new robot installations (see Figure 1).

China leads in the installation of new robots, accounting for 50% of all new installations, followed by Japan with 9%, the United States with 7%, Republic of Korea with 5% and Germany with 4%.

Figure 1 Annual installation of robots worldwide 1993-2022

As to the robots in operation (the operational stock of robots^[2] ), the 5 countries with the highest installations in 2022 also dominate the largest share of the stock, collectively accounting for 75% of it. Leading is China with 38%, followed by Japan with 11%, the Republic of Korea with 10%, the US with 9%, and Germany with 7%. As illustrated in Figure 2, depicting the share of the top 5 countries’ operational stock, a significant historical shift is apparent. Japan, which held 36% of the stock in 2007, has ceded ground to China, while the Republic of Korea has enhanced its international standing, now comparable to that of the US (16%).

Figure 2 Operational Stock Share Among Top 5 Countries (2008-2022)

Source: Authors based on IFR.

In Table 1, we report the top 10 countries regarding their operational stock of robots. We also consider the number of robots per unit of GDP, as larger economies tend to have more robots. If we consider the operational stock of robots per unit of GDP, the Republic of Korea emerges as the world leader. Additionally, other countries not present when considering absolute values include Slovenia, Singapore, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. These nations are renowned for their specialization in car production, with Singapore excelling in electronics – two industries with intensive use of robotics.

Table 1 Top Countries by Operational Stock of Robot, Absolute Number and Scaled by GDP, 2022

Source: Authors based on IFR

Table 2 presents the percentage of the robot stock by field of application and by industry. Regarding the former, 45% of robots are used in handling operations/machine tending, 21% in welding and soldering, and 11% in assembling and disassembling.

Robots play a crucial role in industries such as automotive (29% of the stock) and electrical/electronics (26%) and there are several reasons why. In the electrical/electronics sectors, where intricate components are involved, robots are essential for their precision and consistency in assembly processes. These industries often deal with delicate parts and require exacting standards to ensure product quality and reliability, which robots excel at providing.

Similarly, in the automotive sector, robots are indispensable due to the high level of automation required for manufacturing processes. Car assembly involves repetitive tasks that demand efficiency and accuracy, making robots particularly well-suited for tasks such as welding, painting, and assembly line operations. By utilizing robots, manufacturers can increase production speed, reduce errors, and enhance overall product quality, all of which are critical factors in the competitive automotive market.

Regarding the professional service robot market in 2022, significant growth was observed across various sectors. Sales surged by 48%, totaling nearly 158,000 units, with the Robotics as a Service (RaaS) model expanding by 50% to over 21,000 units. Mobile robot solutions, particularly in transportation and logistics, saw a 44% increase in sales. Hospitality robots experienced a remarkable 125% surge, while medical robot sales dipped by 4%. Agricultural robotics grew by 18%, and demand for cleaning and security robots rose by 8% and 18%, respectively. However, autonomous inspection and construction robots remained niche markets with minimal reported sales.

Table 2 Percentage of Robot Stock by Application and Industry

In 2023, despite a global economic slowdown, robot installations are defying the trend, maintaining a robust demand surpassing pre-COVID-19 levels. Looking ahead, robot installation growth rates are poised to accelerate slightly in 2025 and significantly in 2026. Forecasts indicate a continuous upward trajectory, with expectations of surpassing 600,000 units installed annually by 2024 and reaching 700,000 units by 2026.

Background

The Global Innovation Tracker of the WIPO Global Innovation Index (GII) uses robotics data as a dimension to monitor global technology adoption, based on data supplied by our partner, the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). For further details, please visit the GII webpage  and access the IFR World Robotics Reports (subscription required).