President’s Report by Jane Heffner
Sep 24, 2026 — I am pleased to open my first President's Report with an overview of the latest World Robotics statistics, which we are publishing today.
Dear Reader,
I am pleased to open my first President's Report with an overview of the latest World Robotics statistics, which we are publishing today.
The global robotics market is back on a strong growth trajectory after four years of relatively flat development. 2025 was a record-setting year: annual installations surpassed the 600,000-unit milestone for the first time, reaching 603,000 units (+11%), while the global operational stock exceeded 5 million robots, totaling 5.079 million units (+9%).
Demand was particularly robust in the three largest customer industries. Installations in electronics and automotive each increased by 10%, while the metal and machinery sector recorded an impressive 22% growth. Other segments of general industry experienced a more subdued year.
Among the world's leading robotics markets, China (+20%) and the United States (+12%) were the main drivers of growth. India also continued its rapid expansion, with installations rising to 10,500 units (+15%) as the country steadily strengthens its position in global manufacturing.
New collaborative robot (cobot) installations reached 66,000 units, representing 11% of all industrial robot installations. Notably, for the first time since the IFR began tracking cobot statistics, the segment's growth rate of 7% was below that of the industrial robot market as a whole.
The market for professional service robots delivered another outstanding performance, growing 24% to 250,000 units within the IFR sample. Mobile robots for transportation accounted for nearly half of all installations (47%). The fastest-growing application areas were inspection and maintenance as well as professional cleaning.
We will discuss the latest developments in the global robotics market and the trends shaping our industry at the Robot Suppliers' Committee meeting during CIIF in Shanghai on 15 October. In addition, our service, mobile, and humanoid robot statistics will be presented in a dedicated webinar on 30 October.
I look forward to meeting many of you at our upcoming events, exchanging ideas, strengthening our network, and exploring the latest innovations showcased on the exhibition floor.
Best regards
Jane Heffner
IFR President
