Industrial robotics market seen reaching $163 billion by 2032

By AI, Created 1:26 PM UTC, May 28, 2026, /AGP/ – Allied Market Research says the global industrial robotics market is on track to grow from $38 billion in 2020 to $163 billion by 2032, driven by automation demand, labor shortages and cheaper energy-efficient robots. The report highlights Asia-Pacific, articulated robots and materials handling as current leaders while flagging faster growth in cylindrical robots, food and beverages, and painting and dispensing.

Why it matters: - Industrial robotics is becoming a core part of Industry 4.0 efforts across manufacturing, automotive, electronics, logistics and healthcare. - The market’s expected expansion signals stronger demand for automation that can raise productivity, improve safety and reduce reliance on scarce labor. - The report projects the market will reach $163 billion by 2032, up from $38 billion in 2020. - The forecast implies a 12.6% compound annual growth rate from 2023 to 2032.

What happened: - Allied Market Research released a report on the global industrial robotics market covering robot types, end-user industries and functions through 2032. - The report was titled, “Industrial Robotics Market by Type (Articulated, Cartesian, SCARA, Cylindrical, Others), End User Industry (Automotive, Electrical and Electronics, Chemical Rubber and Plastics, Manufacturing, Food, and Beverages, Others), Function (Soldering and Welding, Materials handling, Assembling and Disassembling, Painting and Dispensing, Milling, Cutting, and Processing, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032.” - The report said the articulated segment led the market in 2020 with more than two-fifths of global revenue. - The report said the electrical and electronics segment held around one-third of global revenue in 2020. - The report said the materials handling segment accounted for more than two-fifths of revenue in 2020. - The report said Asia-Pacific held nearly three-fifths of global revenue in 2020. - The report identified ABB, Daihen, Denso, Fanuc, Kawasaki, Kuka, Mitsubishi Electric, Nachi, Panasonic, Seiko Epson, Universal Robots and Yaskawa among the leading players. - The report says these companies are using product launches, investments and acquisitions to defend or grow share.

The details: - High automation needs, high labor costs and a shortage of skilled workers are key growth drivers. - Investment in research and development is also supporting market growth. - Affordable, energy-efficient robots are widening adoption. - High upfront investment and installation costs remain a restraint. - Job displacement concerns could also slow adoption. - Expanding applications and advances in robotics and artificial intelligence are creating new opportunities. - During COVID-19, temporary manufacturing shutdowns hurt production and sales of industrial robots. - Closures in automotive, electrical, electronics and other industries hit demand especially hard early in the pandemic. - The market has since recovered and is growing steadily. - The articulated segment is expected to keep the largest market share through 2032. - The cylindrical segment is projected to post the fastest growth, with a 13.8% CAGR from 2023 to 2032. - Demand for cylindrical robots is rising for pick-and-place, packaging, assembling and disassembling in warehouses and industrial settings. - The electrical and electronics segment is expected to remain the top end-user market through the forecast period. - The food and beverages segment is projected to grow fastest at a 13.6% CAGR from 2023 to 2032. - The materials handling segment is expected to remain the largest function category by 2032. - The painting and dispensing segment is projected to grow fastest at a 14.4% CAGR from 2023 to 2032. - Asia-Pacific is expected to keep its lead through 2032. - Japan, India and Korea are leading adoption, especially in electronics and machinery. - The LAMEA region is projected to post the fastest CAGR at 13.8% during the forecast period. - Allied Market Research offers a PDF sample and a purchase inquiry link for the report: Download the sample report and Make a purchase inquiry.

Between the lines: - The strongest growth is clustered in areas tied to high-volume production, logistics and repetitive processes. - The regional split suggests Asia-Pacific remains the main engine of adoption, while LAMEA is emerging as a faster-growth market. - The fastest-growing segments point to broader use beyond traditional automotive automation.

What’s next: - Robot makers are likely to keep competing on new product launches, acquisitions and regional expansion. - Adoption should continue to rise as manufacturers look for more efficient production and labor-flexible operations. - Growth in food, electronics and warehouse applications is likely to keep broadening the market mix. - The report’s forecast points to continued momentum through 2032, with no sign of a near-term slowdown in demand for industrial automation.

The bottom line: - Industrial robotics is moving from a niche manufacturing tool to a broad industrial necessity, with double-digit growth expected for the rest of the decade.