Manufacturers across the world are rethinking how automation can improve productivity, safety, and operational flexibility. Rising labor costs, skilled-worker shortages, demand for high-mix production, and the need to modernize factories are encouraging businesses to adopt robots that can work alongside human employees. The latest developments in artificial intelligence, machine vision, sensing, and software are also making robotic systems easier to deploy across diverse industrial environments.
The Collaborative Robots Market is entering an important phase of expansion as manufacturers increasingly seek flexible automation solutions rather than highly specialized equipment. According to The Insight Partners, the global sector is projected to reach US$14.67 billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 35.7% during 2025–2031. The research covers payload, application, type, end-user industry, functionality, and major geographic regions.
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Collaborative Robots Market Size, Share, Trends, and Forecast to 2031
Key findings from the latest industry analysis include:
- Market size: The global market is projected to reach US$14.67 billion by 2031.
- Market share: Asia Pacific held a significant position in 2024, accounting for 40.8% of the global market.
- Growth outlook: The industry is projected to register a 35.7% CAGR from 2025 to 2031.
- Technology trend: Mobile collaborative robots, AI-enabled systems, advanced sensing, and easier programming are emerging as major technology themes.
- Application trend: Material handling is expected to experience particularly strong growth, while assembly, machine tending, welding, packaging, inspection, and pick-and-place remain important applications.
- Product trend: Robotic arms represented the leading type segment in 2024.
- End-user trend: Electronics is expected to record rapid growth as manufacturers automate precision-intensive production processes.
- Functionality: Static robots accounted for the dominant share in 2024, while mobile systems are opening new opportunities in flexible manufacturing and logistics.
AI and Physical Robotics Become Major Industry Trends
One of the most important changes underway is the transition from conventional programmed automation toward intelligent robotic systems. In March 2026, Universal Robots and Scale AI introduced an imitation-learning system designed to help robots learn from human demonstrations and generate data for AI model training. The initiative highlights how physical AI is moving closer to practical factory deployment.
ABB has also identified industrial-grade performance, higher payloads, extended reach, improved accuracy, and advanced safety technologies as major collaborative robotics trends for 2026. The company has highlighted applications extending beyond traditional manufacturing into laboratories, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, kitchens, and other environments.
Recent product activity reinforces this direction. In April 2026, ABB launched its PoWa collaborative robot family with payload options ranging from 7 kg to 30 kg and emphasized higher-speed performance for both small and large manufacturers.
Latest Industry News Strengthens the Growth Outlook
Current developments indicate that adoption is broadening beyond conventional automotive applications. In North America, collaborative robots accounted for 15.4% of robot units ordered during the first half of 2026, according to reporting on Association for Advancing Automation data. The strongest adoption included life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biomedical, semiconductors, electronics, and photonics applications.
The industry is also seeing stronger integration between robotics, AI, and digital manufacturing platforms. In April 2026, Flex and Teradyne Robotics announced an expanded collaboration aimed at scaling intelligent automation across global manufacturing operations. FANUC separately announced a strategic collaboration with Google to advance Physical AI capabilities across its robotics portfolio.
These developments demonstrate a broader shift: manufacturers increasingly want automation systems that can adapt to changing production requirements instead of performing only repetitive, predetermined tasks.
Global and Regional Analysis
Asia Pacific: Asia Pacific maintained the leading regional position in 2024. Strong manufacturing activity in China, Japan, South Korea, India, and other Asian economies, combined with government support for automation and industrial modernization, continues to create substantial opportunities.
Europe: Europe is positioned for rapid expansion through 2031, supported by industrial automation initiatives, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and demand for flexible production technologies. The region is projected to register a CAGR of 39.6% during the forecast period.
North America: North America is emerging as a particularly attractive region as manufacturers address labor availability, production efficiency, reshoring, and advanced manufacturing requirements. The United States is projected to record a 36.1% CAGR through 2031.
The latest North America-specific research from The Insight Partners projects the regional industry to reach US$2,311.9 million by 2031. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are covered, with the US representing the largest country-level share in 2024.
Key Growth Drivers
The expansion of collaborative robotics is being supported by several interconnected factors. Manufacturing companies are under pressure to improve throughput while controlling labor expenses and maintaining consistent quality. Cobots can automate repetitive, ergonomically challenging, and potentially hazardous tasks while allowing employees to focus on higher-value activities.
The rapid expansion of manufacturing is another important driver. Government-backed robotics programs, investments in smart factories, and the modernization of production infrastructure are encouraging companies to introduce automation into existing facilities.
Ease of deployment is also strengthening adoption. Compared with conventional automation solutions that may require extensive fixed infrastructure, collaborative systems can provide greater flexibility and can be redeployed as production requirements change.
Key Players
Major companies profiled in the industry include:
- ABB Ltd
- OMRON Corp
- Denso Corp
- Kuka AG
- Fanuc Corp
- Bosch Rexroth AG
- Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd
- Yaskawa America Inc
- Teradyne Inc
- Techman Robot Inc
- Comau SpA
- Rethink Robotics GmbH
- Doosan Robotics Inc
- Aubo (Beijing) Robotics Technology Co Ltd
- SIASUN Robot & Automation Co., Ltd
- Agile Robots SE
Future Outlook
The future of collaborative robotics will increasingly be shaped by the convergence of robotics, artificial intelligence, machine vision, connected manufacturing, and mobile automation. The emergence of Physical AI could enable robots to interpret changing environments, learn from demonstrations, and perform increasingly complex tasks. Mobile collaborative robots are also expected to expand the role of cobots from fixed workstations into material movement, intralogistics, inspection, and flexible production environments.
As manufacturers prioritize resilience and workforce productivity, collaborative robots are likely to become a more integral part of next-generation factories. The combination of easier programming, improved safety, higher payload capabilities, AI-driven adaptability, and broader application coverage positions the industry for substantial expansion through 2031. The Insight Partners’ research provides detailed analysis of these developments across global and regional markets, including competitive dynamics, segmentation, growth drivers, trends, and strategic opportunities.
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The Insight Partners is a leading market research and consulting firm delivering actionable insights through in-depth industry analysis and strategic intelligence. The firm supports clients across various industries in making informed business decisions by providing comprehensive market forecasts, competitive assessments, and growth opportunities.
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