+++ 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 - FACTS about ROBOTS - worldwide +++

News

China Makes AI-powered Robots Core of National Strategy

China´s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) marks pivot to innovation

Frankfurt, May 05, 2026 — China has launched its 15th Five-Year Plan by placing robotics at the heart of its modern industrial system. The aim is to pivot its AI research towards physical applications with robots as main drivers for economic growth. This is a next step in the country´s strong automation development: China´s manufacturing industry already has an operational stock of around 2 million units — approximately 4.5 times more than the global no. 2, Japan. 54% of annual industrial robots installed worldwide were deployed in China. This is according to the World Robotics 2025 Report, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

Hiroshi Fujiwara and Robert Little Selected for 2026 Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards

Recognition for global leadership and real-world applications advancing automation

May 04, 2026 — The Association for Advancing Automation (A3), announced Hiroshi Fujiwara, Executive Director of the Japan Robot Association (JARA), and Robert Little, co-founder of ATI Industrial Automation, as the winners of the 2026 Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards, the world’s most prestigious robotics honor.

IFR General Secretary and Delegation Visit Risong Technology

Focusing on High-End Precision Manufacturing to Explore New Pathways for the Global Robotics Industry

May 04, 2026 — On April 24, 2026, a delegation led by Dr. Susanne Bieller, General Secretary of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), Mr. Patrick Schwarzkopf, Head of Robotics and Automation at the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA), and Ms. Anja Schneider, Automatica Exhibition Director at Messe München, visited Guangzhou to conduct in-depth research into the robotics industry development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

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

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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