+++ 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 +++
IFR Eecutive Roundtable 2025

News

Global industrial robot sales doubled over the past five years

World Robotics - Industrial Robot Report 2018 published

Tokyo, Oct 18, 2018 — The new World Robotics Report shows that a new record high of 381,000 units were shipped globally in 2017 – an increase of 30 percent compared to the previous year. This means that the annual sales volume of industrial robots increased by 114 percent over the last five years (2013-2017). The sales value increased by 21 percent compared to 2016 to a new peak of US$16.2 billion in 2017.

Service robots – global sales value up 39 percent

World Robotics - Service Robot Report 2018 published

Tokyo, Oct 18, 2018 — Sales value of service robots for professional use increased by 39 percent to US$6.6 billion. The total number sold in this robot category rose by 85 percent (2017). Logistic systems show the strongest demand, accounting for 63 percent of the total units and 36 percent of the total sales (in value) of professional service robots. Prospects for service robots remain positive, as it is also a primary field for start-ups.

President’s Report

New technologies allow robots to enter new fields

Oct 18, 2018 — Today, World Robotics 2018 Industrial Robots and Service Robots are published. Both reports show the successful development of the robot market in the past years as well as promising forecasts. A new record high of 381,000 units of robots were shipped globally in 2017 – an increase of 30 percent compared to the previous year. This means that the annual sales volume of industrial robots increased by 114 percent over the last five years (2013-2017).

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.

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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.

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