+++ IFR: Video - FACTS about ROBOTS - worldwide +++ IFR: Sales of Service Robots up 30% Worldwide +++ IFR: Record of 4 Million Robots in Factories Worldwide +++ IFR: Top Five Robot Trends 2024 +++

News

China to Invest 1 Trillion Yuan in Robotics and High-Tech Industries

China’s National People's Congress announced venture capital fund

Frankfurt, Mar 25, 2025 — China’s National Development and Reform Commission has announced to set up a state-backed venture capital fund focused on robotics, AI and cutting-edge innovation. The long-term fund is expected to attract nearly 1 trillion yuan (US$138 billion) in capital from local governments and the private sector over 20 years. This initiative aims to continue China's technology-driven success story in manufacturing: In ten years, the country's global share of industrial robot installations has risen from around one-fifth to more than half of the world's total demand.

New General Assembly Composition in 2025

More direct representation of robot supplier members

Mar 05, 2025 — Beginning of 2025, IFR conducted elections to the General Assembly, following changes to the IFR constitution. The General Assembly is the main governing body of our association. Each membership group elected their representatives in a direct election. Another novelty is the inclusion of service robotics representatives in this important body.

Europe’s Employment Rate Hit Highest Level in Twenty Years as Gender Gap Closes

Employment gap between men and women down to 10%

Frankfurt, Mar 04, 2025 — Employment across all sectors in the European Union hit the highest level in twenty years: The employment rate for people aged 15-64 reached 71.7%. At the same time, the employment gap between men and women has narrowed. Since 2005, it has declined from almost 15% to 10% today. However, EU manufacturing is lagging behind.

Robotization - What's in for SMEs?

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?

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.

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