Sales of Service Robots Up 30% Worldwide

FRANKFURT am MAIN, Germany – Oct. 8th, 2024 – Sales of professional service robots surged by 30% globally, with more than 205,000 units registered in 2023. The Asia-Pacific region dominated sales, contributing 162,284 units, while Europe and the Americas followed with 33,918 and 8,927 units, respectively. This data comes from the World Robotics 2024 Service Robots report by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

“The service robotics industry is thriving, with more robots working in factories, shopping centers, and street deliveries,” said Marina Bill, IFR president.

Top Applications and Trends

Transportation and Logistics accounted for over half of the robots sold, reaching nearly 113,000 units and growing by 35%. As industries face labor shortages, companies increasingly seek automation solutions for tasks like loading and unloading trucks. Making these solutions user-friendly for non-technical staff is vital for widespread adoption.

Hospitality robots also gained popularity, with sales exceeding 54,000 units (+31%). These robots primarily focus on mobile guidance, information, and telepresence, with new applications emerging in food and beverage service.

Agricultural robots saw strong growth (+21%), with nearly 20,000 units sold, driven by the need for sustainable practices amid labor shortages.

Cleaning robots maintained steady sales, approaching 12,000 units, mainly for floor cleaning tasks.

Medical robots experienced a notable increase of 36%, totaling around 6,100 units sold, with rehabilitation and non-invasive therapy robots rising significantly.

Leading Countries in Robot Manufacturing

The United States leads with the most service and medical robot manufacturers at 199, where 66% focus on professional service robots. China ranks second with 107 manufacturers, with 80% specializing in professional service robots. Germany comes in third with 83 companies, primarily producing professional service robots.

Overall, Europe holds a 44% market share of service and medical robot manufacturers, followed by Asia at 29% and the Americas at 25%.

About IFR

The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) represents the global robotics industry, including national associations, academia, and manufacturers. Founded in 1987, IFR provides essential data through two annual studies: World Robotics – Industrial Robots and World Robotics – Service Robots.