+++ IFR: Top Five Robot Trends 2026 +++ IFR: Global Robot Demand in Factories Doubles Over 10 Years +++ IFR: Service Robots See Global Growth Boom +++ IFR: Video - Market report by Jane Heffner with preliminary figures 2025 +++

News

Five Million Robots now Operate in Factories Globally

World Robotics 2026 Report by IFR released

Frankfurt, Sep 24, 2026 — The global operational stock of industrial robots surged 9% to a record 5 million units in 2025. This was driven by an 11% jump in annual installations: Factories worldwide installed more than 600,000 new units over the year.

President’s Report by Jane Heffner

Sep 24, 2026 — I am pleased to open my first President's Report with an overview of the latest World Robotics statistics, which we are publishing today.

Service Robots’ Impact Human Life

New IFR Position Paper published

Sep 24, 2026 — Professional service robots are moving from niche applications to everyday operations, helping organizations address labor shortages, demographic change, and growing service demands through advances in AI, autonomy, and human-robot collaboration.

Topics and Definitions

Industrial Robots

The IFR’s use of the term “industrial robot” is based on the definition of the ISO: an “automatically controlled, reprogrammable multipurpose manipulator programmable in three or more axes”

Service Robots

The International Organization for Standardization defines a “service robot” as a "robot in personal use or professional use that performs useful tasks for humans or equipment”

Robotics Research

The IFR fosters links between the robotics industry and institutes. Our members engage in an intensive exchange on new technologies and emerging robots at the International Symposium on Robotics ISR

Position Papers

Information and IFR opinion on topical issues regarding robots and automation

Case Studies

Case Studies of Industrial and Service Robots. Robots in action can be found everywhere. Robot Manufacturers give examples of robot applications in different industries

Robots and Sustainability

Which of UN's 17 Sustainability Development Goals can be met with the support of robots?

Robotization - What's in for SMEs?

Events

Services

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The IFR Newsletter - published quarterly - informs about sector relevant news - press releases, in-depth blogs, positioning papers and case studies on robot use. In addition, we inform about upcoming events, and new IFR members. Each newsletter highlights a report by the current IFR president. Please register for an automatic supply.

Contact

IFR Secretariat

The General Secretariat is responsible for the daily management of IFR and the coordination of all major activities, events and collaboration. The General Secretariat handles all questions regarding IFR membership.

Dr. Susanne Bieller

IFR General Secretary

Phone: +49 69-6603-1502
E-Mail: secretariat(at)ifr.org

Silke Lampe

Communication Manager

Phone: +49 69-6603-1697
E-Mail: secretariat(at)ifr.org

IFR Statistical Department

The Statistical Department collects and interprets market relevant data on global robot installations. It handles requests regarding IFR statistics and the World Robotics report.

Dr. Christopher Müller

Director IFR Statistical Department

Phone: +49 69-6603-1191
E-Mail: statistics(at)ifr.org

Nina Kutzbach

Project Manager Industrial Robotics

Phone: +49 69-6603-1518
E-Mail: statistics(at)ifr.org


Dr. Anne Jurkat

Project Manager Service Robotics

Phone: +49 69-6603-1479
E-Mail: statistics(at)ifr.org