Global Articulated Robot Market Grows at a Steady CAGR of 6.37%

Introduction

An articulated robot is an industrial robot featuring rotational joints that offer several degrees of freedom, enabling it to execute intricate tasks with significant flexibility and precision. Typically resembling a human arm, it may possess between two to ten or more joints, rendering it suitable for welding, assembly, material handling, and painting operations. Articulated robots are extensively employed in industrial and automation sectors due to their diversity, rapidity, and capacity to execute both heavy and delicate tasks precisely.

The global articulated robot market has expanded significantly due to the rising demand for automation in manufacturing operations. As labor expenses rise and the demand for efficiency intensifies, companies increasingly adopt articulated robots for their flexibility, precision, and scalability. Articulated robots provide unparalleled capabilities across various applications, including food processing and automobile manufacturing, allowing manufacturers to optimize operations, reduce human errors, and enhance efficiency with minimal downtime. Their adaptability across various industries requires rapid and precise task performance.

Market Dynamics

Heightened emphasis on automation drives the market

Automation is transforming the manufacturing, assembly, and material handling sectors, resulting in unparalleled demand for articulated robots. These robots provide substantial productivity enhancements, cost reductions, and process optimization, enabling organizations to maintain competitiveness in a progressively automated environment. Articulated robots enhance efficiency, minimize human mistakes, and function constantly without tiredness, augmenting operational throughput in the automotive, electronics, packaging, and logistics industries.

• The World Robotics Report indicates that global industrial robot density has increased by 15% annually over the last five years, propelled by using automation technologies to enhance efficiency and minimize labor expenses.

Articulated robots are adaptable and can execute many activities, including welding, assembly, packaging, material handling, and machine tending. The growing focus on Industry 4.0 and the incorporation of AI and IoT has augmented their functionalities, facilitating predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, and advancements in precision engineering and optics.

The growth in precision engineering and optics is unlocking significant opportunities

The increasing demand for precise engineering in sectors including aerospace, optics, medical devices, and electronics is generating new prospects for the worldwide articulated robot industry. These robots excel in activities necessitating great precision, little mistakes, and dependable performance, such as assembling fragile components, machining intricate parts, and manipulating complex surgical tools. Their capacity to execute repetitive, complex tasks with unwavering precision renders them indispensable in sectors where mistake tolerances are minimal, including semiconductor manufacturing, surgical instrument fabrication, and optical component production.

Furthermore, articulated robots are employed in the medical device sector to assemble pacemakers, stents, and other precision instruments, guaranteeing consistent quality and minimizing production errors. Medtronic, a preeminent entity in medical technology, utilizes articulated robots to build intricate devices with micro-level precision, thereby minimizing human error and enhancing production efficiency.

Regional Analysis

The Asia-Pacific region dominates the global articulated robot market share, driven by a swift industrialization cycle and a well-established manufacturing ecosystem. It encompasses significant manufacturing markets such as China, Japan, and South Korea, where governments are implementing various policies to promote automation, fueling growth across industries including electronics, automotive, and textiles.

• For example, the IFR reports that 70% of all new robotic installations 2022 took place in Asia, with China as the leading contributor.

Key Highlights

• The global articulated robot market size was worth USD 16.23 billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach an expected value of USD 17.56 billion in 2025 to USD 29.84 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.37% during the forecast period (2025-2033).
• Based on Type, the global market is divided into 4-axis or Less, 5-axis, and 6-axis or More. 6-Axis or More Segment dominated the market with the largest market revenue.
• Based on Payload Capacity, the global market is divided into Up to 16 Kg, 16 to 60 Kg, 60 to 225 Kg, and More than 225 Kg. The 16 to 60 Kg owns the highest market share.
• Based on Function, the global market is divided into handling, welding, dispensing, assembly, processing, and others.  Handling segment dominated the market with the largest market revenue.
• Based on Components, the global market is divided into controller, arm, end effector, drive, sensor, and others. The End Effector owns the highest market share.
• Based on End-Use Industry, the global market is divided into automotive, electrical and electronics, chemicals, rubber and plastics, metal and machinery, food and beverages, precision engineering and optics, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and others. The Automotive owns the highest market.
• Based on region, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Asia-Pacific owns the highest market share.

Competitive Players

1. Fanuc Corporation
2. ABB Ltd.
3. KUKA AG
4. Yaskawa Electric Corporation
5. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
6. Kawasaki Robotics
7. Omron Corporation
8. Denso Corporation
9. Epson Robots
10. Staubli International AG
11. Universal Robots A/S
12. NACHI-FUJIKOSHI Corp.
13. Seiko Epson Corporation
14. Techman Robot Inc.
15. Comau SpA

Recent Developments

• In May 2024, ABB launched the GoFa articulated cobot, designed for collaborative operations in small and medium enterprises.
• In February 2024, Fanuc Corporation unveiled the M-20iD/35 robot with enhanced payload capacity and precision capabilities.

Segmentation

1. By Type
   1. 4-Axis or Less
   2. 5-Axis
   3. 6-Axis or More
2. By Payload Capacity
   1. Up to 16 Kg
   2. 16 to 60 Kg
   3. 60 to 225 Kg
   4. More than 225 Kg
3. By Function
   1. Handling
   2. Welding
   3. Dispensing
   4. Assembly
   5. Processing
   6. Other Functions
4. By Component
   1. Controller
   2. Arm
   3. End Effector
   4. Drive
   5. Sensor
   6. Others Components
5. By End-Use Industry
   1. Automotive
   2. Electrical and Electronics
   3. Chemicals, Rubber, and Plastics
   4. Metal and Machinery
   5. Food and Beverages
   6. Precision Engineering and Optics
   7. Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics
   8. Other End-Users
6. By Regions
   1. North America
   2. Europe
   3. Asia-Pacific
   4. Latin America
   5. The Middle East and Africa