Frankfurt, Oct 28, 2021 — The World Robotics 2021 Industrial Robots report shows a record of 3 million industrial robots operating in factories around the world – an increase of 10%. Sales of new robots grew slightly at 0.5% despite the global pandemic, with 384,000 units shipped globally in 2020. This trend was dominated by the positive market developments in China, compensating the contractions of other markets. This is the third most successful year in history for the robotics industry, following 2018 and 2017.
How robots help to qualify for the workplace of the future
Sep 29, 2021 — A push to automate is changing the way humans and machines work together. The number of industrial robots installed in factories reached about 3 million units worldwide in 2020 – more than doubling in ten years. The IFR has researched how robotics training shapes current and future workforce education, enhancing skills development for employees.
Frankfurt, Aug 05, 2021 — Robot mobility is booming worldwide: Unit sales of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) in the logistics sector e.g. will increase by 31% between 2020 and 2023 annually. At the same time, the use of AMRs in public environments will also go up rapidly – IFR predicts unit sales will grow by 40% per year worldwide.
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?
“I believe that robots and related technologies are important elements that enrich people’s lives while reducing the burden of their daily work. Several decades ago, the scenes of humans and robots sharing the common space and working together was considered a fantasy world, but such a day is not too far off.
IFR will take the lead for the people to be ready to enjoy such a world.”
Takayuki Ito - IFR Vice President and Standing Advisor & Chief Technical Advisor at FANUC Japan
"IFR is a well recognized organization which unites national robot associations, academia and manufacturers all over the world. To join IFR will let us know the latest statistics and information, to have the channel to present our ideas and thoughts in front of global peers. We hope to have more opportunities for international cooperation and promote the high-speed and healthy development of the robotics industry."
You Wei - IFR General Assembly member and CEO and Chairman of EFORT group
"SCHUNK is a member of the International Federation of Robotics to stay updated on global trends, policies, and advancements in robotics. Membership allows contribution to shaping standards, policies, and fostering robot adoption worldwide."
Milton Guerry - past IFR President and member of the Executive Board; President of SCHUNK US
"As the CEO of PAL Robotics, I am proud to bring our 20+ years of pioneering expertise in service robotics to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). Serving as the Chair of Service Robotics, it's an honor to collaborate with industry leaders. Together, we're committed to shaping a future where robotics and human society coexist beneficially, driving innovation and enhancing the quality of life globally."
Francesco Ferro - Chair IFR Service Robot Group and CEO of PAL Robotics
"IFR is a unique international association having members from groups, companies and research institutes from around the world who are involved in robotics. IFR widely offers useful data, opportunities and other benefits not only to its members, but also to the world at large. There are high expectations that IFR will enhance the synergy and mutual support among all its members to become drivers to energetically establish a sustainable society."
Kenji Yamaguchi - past IFR Vice President and Representative Director, President and CEO of FANUC Corporation, Japan
“Joining IFR is a source of pride, the sharing expertise of the worldwide members is key to progress rapidly in the deployment of robotics, build up a powerful innovation ecosystem and drive excellent research. IFR strengths are the possibility to create new opportunities of partnerships, to promote the transfer of knowledge in order to shrink the distances between robotics world and the society and the excellent research networks”.
Sandro Santamaria - IFR General Assembly Member and CEO, ROBOTECO Spa, Italy
"IFR brings opportunity to network and engage with other professionals and entrepreneurs in the field of robotics to together ensure both that more companies and more people benefit from adopting technologies. I believe we are witnessing one of the greatest technological shifts in the history of mankind, during which Robotics, AI and related technologies have the potential to transform every industry and aspect of our lives within the next decade."
Marina Bill - IFR President and Global Head of Marketing & Sales, ABB Management Services Ltd.
Established in 1987, IFR has brought together the international robotics players in more than 20 countries. It is a unique platform for sharing information and exchanging ideas, thus contributing to the dynamic development of the robotics around the world. The role of IFR is becoming more and more important for further global development of robotics in the future. CRIA is proud to be part of this international robotics family.
Xiaogang Song - IFR Executive Board Member and Secretary General, China Robotics Industry Alliance (CRIA)
"The International Federation of Robotics is here to provide a reliable and highly trained professional network for the robotics community. By sponsoring the International Symposium on Robotics (ISR), the IFR stands as a major driver for researchers and engineers from around the globe, allowing them to present their pioneering works in service and industrial robotics."
Professor Alexander Verl - Chairman IFR Research Committee and Head of Institute for Control Engineering of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Units / University of Stuttgart
“What I have learned from IFR: The market data on new technologies and trends provided by the IFR are essential for anyone involved in robotics. The IFR meetings have been tremendously beneficial for bringing together industry and academia, and providing invaluable networking opportunities.”
Jong-Oh Park - IFR Executive Board Member and Professor School of Mechanical Engineering, Chonnam National University
"One of the key benefits of the IFR is its influence on public opinion, to bring across the positive impact robotics has on economic performance, and to ease fears of technology. Particularly in times such as these, in which populist messages are prevalent, society needs an institution that informs objectively about robotics with well-founded statistics and research."
Bruno Schnekenburger - past IFR Vice Chairman of Robot Suppliers Committee and President / CEO Yaskawa EMEA
World Robotics – Industrial Robots: Asia ahead of Europe and the Americas
The report recorded 553,052 industrial robot installations in factories around the world – a growth rate of 5% in 2022, year-on-year. By region, 73% of all newly deployed robots were installed in Asia, 15% in Europe and 10% in the Americas.
World Robotics – Service Robots: Worldwide sales of professional robots grew by 48%
In 2022, worldwide sales of professional service robot grew by 48%. Almost 158,000 sold units were registered by IFR Statistical Department. The size of the RaaS fleet grew by 50% to more than 21,000 units. At the same time sales of Consumer robots decreases by 12% to about 5 million units. There are hardly any RaaS models offered in this category.
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.