US robot industry returns to double digit growth

Preliminary results published by International Federation of Robotics 

Frankfurt, June 18, 2026 – The number of industrial robot installations in the United States rose by 11% year-on-year, to reach 38,000 units in 2025. This significant recovery is driven by robust growth in the food industry and other non-manufacturing sectors. However, the automotive industry remains the largest adopter and reached 13,500 units, just 1% below last year's result. These are preliminary statistics, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). 

“The United States are back on the growth track,” says Takayuki Ito, President of the International Federation of Robotics. “While automotive achieved its third-best result in seven years, the data highlights a growing demand for flexible automation in the food industry: Adoption in this sector surged by 30%, now ranking alongside metal and machinery and electrical-electronics, all with approximately 3,000 installations in 2025.” 

The degree of automation in the US, as measured by robot density, stands at 307 industrial robots in use for every 10,000 employees in the manufacturing industry. This places the US in 8th position worldwide (two ranks up from the previous year) behind top automated countries such as South Korea (1,220 robots), Germany (449 robots) and Japan (446 robots), but ahead of China (166 robots). 

However, China far outperforms the rest of the world in terms of market size: Annual installations in China reached 295,000 units in 2024. This represents a global market share of 54%. Preliminary results for China 2025 are not published yet, but according to IFR´s estimates, installations are about ten times higher than the number in the United States. This success story is based on the country's national robotics strategy, which was launched ten years ago. China's recently published 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) now has placed robotics at the heart of its modern industrial system. The aim is to focus its AI research on physical applications, with robots being the main driver of economic growth. 

North America’s largest automation trade association, A3, has officially published and presented its "Vision for a National Robotics Strategy" to lawmakers. The trade group advocates a framework for a Federal Robotics Office and a National Commission to coordinate policy, with the aim of harmonising government research and fostering public-private partnerships. The proposed national strategy also calls for market-driven tax incentives, expanded technical workforce retraining, updated safety standards, and a federal mandate to purchase domestic robotics technology to accelerate commercial deployment. 

The industrial modernization outlook in North America and the U.S. remains highly positive. This is driven by accelerating factory reshoring initiatives and a persistent shortage of skilled labor. IFR projects a resilient, long-term growth trajectory for the region's automation sector, as manufacturers are increasing automation investments to mitigate structural workforce gaps, and, as demand diversifies beyond traditional sectors. 

At the Automate Show 2026 in Chicago, IFR Vice President Jane Heffner will present the preliminary figures on industrial robot installations for the North American market on Wednesday, 24 June at 10:30 AM (Automate Show Theatre). The Robotics Executive Roundtable by IFR will then discuss “What’s Next in Automation: Market Forces, Technology, and Leadership Perspectives”. The Panel: Mikell Taylor General Motors, Justin Brown Teradyne, Justin King Omron Robotics, Jan Louwen Stäubli, Robert Little Robert Little Robotics Advisory, Robert Huschka A3: https://www.automateshow.com/agenda/automate-show-theater