President’s Report by Takayuki Ito

Dear Reader,

Automation continues to gain relevance across many industries as companies seek solutions to increase productivity, strengthen supply chains and respond to structural labor shortages. As the voice of the global robotics industry, the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) continues to provide insights into technological developments and market trends shaping the sector.

The broader economic environment remains challenging. According to projections by international economic organizations, global growth is expected to remain moderate over the coming years. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and disruptions to international trade continue to affect many industries. The robotics sector is not isolated from these developments. Nevertheless, looking ahead, the outlook for robotics remains highly promising, though regional dynamics differ. As companies continue to invest in automation, digitalization and artificial intelligence, robotics will remain a key enabler of innovation and sustainable productivity growth. IFR will continue to monitor developments closely and provide the global robotics community with reliable data, insights and platforms for collaboration.

In January, IFR published the Top 5 Global Robotics Trends for 2026, based on feedback from IFR members and industry experts:

1. Artificial Intelligence driving smarter robotics
2. The convergence of IT and Operational Technology (OT)
3. Humanoid robots entering real-world testing environments
4. Robotics helping to address global labor shortages
5. Increased focus on robot safety, cybersecurity and standards

These trends illustrate how robotics is evolving from isolated automation solutions into connected, intelligent systems. The integration of AI, data infrastructure and advanced hardware is enabling robots to perform increasingly complex tasks, collaborate more closely with humans, and operate in a wider variety of environments. As industrial and service robotics continue to converge, we are witnessing the emergence of a new generation of versatile automation technologies.

Another important initiative highlighted already this year is IFR’s Women in Robotics. With this initiative, IFR recognizes outstanding women whose work is advancing robotics innovation across research, industry and entrepreneurship. Their achievements demonstrate the importance of diversity and talent in driving technological progress. By showcasing these inspiring personalities, IFR aims to encourage more women to pursue careers in robotics and engineering and to strengthen the global robotics ecosystem. IFR has awarded 11 Women Shaping the Future of Robotics in 2026 which we will spotlight in social media and our blog series over the next months. My congratulations to all of them.

Throughout the year, IFR will continue to bring together experts from industry, academia and policy to exchange knowledge and discuss the developments shaping robotics worldwide. These conversations are essential as automation technologies continue to expand into new sectors and applications.

Thank you for your continued support of the International Federation of Robotics. We look forward to working together to advance robotics innovation worldwide.

Best regards

Takayuki Ito