Global installations of industrial robots reached 553,052 units in 2022, marking a 5% increase over the previous year, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). More than half of these—290,258 units—were installed in China, underscoring the country’s commanding position in the sector. Asia as a whole accounted for 73% of new deployments, with Europe at 15% and the Americas at 10%.
China’s growth trajectory in industrial robotics has been remarkable. Installations in 2022 surpassed the already record-setting figures of 2021, which had represented a 57% jump over 2020. Since 2017, the country’s average annual growth rate in robot installations has been 13%. The operational stock of industrial robots in China expanded from one million units in 2021 to more than 1.5 million in 2022, contributing to a global total exceeding 3.9 million.
The European Union retained its position as the second-largest market, with 70,781 units sold in 2022—a 5% rise. Germany, the EU’s largest contributor, accounted for 36% of installations but saw a slight 1% decline to 25,636 units. This drop was largely driven by a 27% decrease in automotive sector installations, which fell to 6,676 units. Food industry applications also contracted by 27% to 412 units, while metal and machinery applications increased by 19% to 4,187 units. Italy captured 16% of the EU market, with installations up 8% to 11,475 units, and France held a 10% share, registering a 13% rise to 7,380 units. The United Kingdom’s installations grew by 3% to 2,534 units, a fraction of Germany’s volume.
In the Americas, installations rose by 8% to 56,053 units. The United States dominated the region, accounting for 71% of installations and achieving a 10% increase to 39,576 units—just shy of its 2018 peak of 40,373. The automotive industry was the primary driver, with installations surging 47% to 14,472 units. Automotive applications now represent 37% of the U.S. market, followed by metal and machinery at 3,900 units and electrical/electronics at 3,732 units.
Across all regions, the electrical/electronics sector led with 156,936 new installations in 2022, outpacing the automotive sector’s 136,130 units. Handling applications dominated globally, accounting for approximately 266,000 installations, followed by welding at 87,000 and assembling at 61,000.
Collaborative robots, or cobots, continued their penetration into the industrial market. In 2022, cobot orders grew by 31% to around 55,000 units, representing nearly 10% of the total industrial robot market for the first time. Cobots are increasingly valued for their ability to work safely alongside humans, offering flexibility in environments where full automation is impractical.
The IFR forecasts that the global industrial robot market will defy broader economic slowdowns, expanding by 7% in 2023 to surpass 590,000 units. Growth is expected to remain concentrated in Asia, with European sales increasing at a more modest 3% annually through 2026.
Technological trends are poised to reshape industrial robotics. The IFR anticipates that cloud computing and 5G mobile networks will enable new business models and drive digitalised production. Enhanced machine vision capabilities are expected to simplify programming, improve shape detection, and guide grippers in complex environments. Artificial intelligence will play a critical role in accelerating programming, refining maintenance protocols, and enabling smarter, more efficient automation systems.
These developments reflect a broader transformation in manufacturing, where robotics are not merely tools for productivity but integral components of adaptive, data-driven production ecosystems.