The global collaborative robot (cobot) market growth is fueled by industries’ urgent need for automation that complements human labor, addressing workforce shortages while boosting efficiency, accuracy, and flexibility. Advances in AI-driven autonomy, modular design, and real-time environmental perception are accelerating adoption, while lightweight cobots and Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) models lower entry barriers for SMEs.
Chicago, Jan. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The global collaborative robot market was valued at 2.69 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 65.18 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 42.50% from 2025 to 2033.
The collaborative robot market is experiencing a paradigm change as industries increasingly prioritize agility, precision, and human-robot synergy. Demand is surging due to persistent labor shortages. More than 75% of manufacturers in the U.S. and EU reported workforce gaps in 2024, associated with the need for automation that complements, rather than replaces, human workers. Cobots’ ability to handle repetitive tasks like screwdriving (achieving ±0.05mm accuracy) while enabling upskilling for roles like quality control drives adoption in sectors beyond traditional manufacturing.
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For instance, aerospace firms use Doosan’s H-Series cobots for precision drilling in composite materials, reducing error rates by 30%, while pharmaceutical companies deploy Universal Robot’s UR10e for sterile lab workflows, cutting contamination risks. The rise of small-batch, high-mix production, evident in Nike’s use of cobots for customizable shoe assembly, further highlights their role in modern supply chains.
Hybrid Human-Robot Ecosystems Gain Momentum in Manufacturing
Advancements in AI-driven autonomy and modular design are critical growth accelerators for the collaborative robot market. Cobots now combine real-time environmental perception through Intel’s RealSense cameras, allowing adaptive navigation in chaotic settings like e-commerce warehouses. For instance, Amazon’s Sparrow cobot utilizes computer vision to handle 75% of warehouse items, up from 40% in 2023.
Cybersecurity remains a pain point: 42% of industrial firms reported IoT-based breaches in 2024, prompting ABB to embed zero-trust architectures in its YuMi cobots, while startups like Veo Robotics deliver blockchain-secured access controls. Simultaneously, lightweight cobots like Omron’s TM Series (payloads up to 14kg) are penetrating SMEs via Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) models, where firms like Formic provide cobots at US$ 10/hour, slashing upfront costs by 60%. Partnerships such as Tesla’s integration of FANUC CRX cobots for battery module assembly highlight the change toward hybrid ecosystems merging robotics with human expertise.
Automotive and Electronics Industries Lead Cobot Adoption
The collaborative robot market is experiencing a significant upswing, primarily boosted by the rising demand for automation in different industries. This surge is a direct response to the demand for higher efficiency, precision, and flexibility in manufacturing procedures. Cobots, with their unique ability to work alongside humans, provide an innovative solution by blending the best of automated efficiency and human ingenuity.
The automotive sector, known for its strict quality standards and high-volume production requirements, is one of the primary drivers of this market growth. Here, cobots are employed for tasks going from assembly to painting and welding, improving both productivity and quality. Similarly, the electronics industry leverages cobots for intricate tasks like circuit board assembly and testing, where precision is paramount.
Another significant driver in the global collaborative robot market is the labor shortage in key industries. Cobots fill this gap by taking over repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, freeing human workers to concentrate on more complicated and creative aspects of production. This not only improves operational efficiency but also manages worker safety by decreasing the likelihood of injuries associated with manual labor.
Moreover, the healthcare sector’s burgeoning interest in cobots for surgical assistance and rehabilitation therapies highlights their versatility and wide-ranging applicability. This sector’s adoption of cobots signifies a broader trend where industries traditionally hesitant to embrace automation are now recognizing the immense potential of these advanced robotic systems.
Hardware Advancements Ensure Precision and Durability in Cobots
In the collaborative robot market, the hardware component leads, holding an impressive 75.6% share. This dominance is attributed to the essential role hardware plays in the functionality of cobots. Components such as sensors, actuators, control units, and end-effectors are critical for the precise and efficient operation of cobots. The robustness and reliability of these hardware components ensure that cobots can perform a broad range of tasks, from delicate assembly to heavy lifting, with remarkable accuracy. The hardware’s predominance is also linked to the ongoing advancements in materials and engineering, which have significantly improved the performance and durability of these components. This is crucial in industries like automotive and electronics manufacturing, where precision and reliability are paramount.
Innovation and Automation Fuel Europe’s Dominance in Collaborative Robotics
Europe leads the collaborative robot market by generating more than 47.9% of the market revenue due to its deep integration of cobots into high-value manufacturing, driven by Germany’s automotive and industrial machinery sectors. German Mittelstand SMEs, which contribute 52% of the country’s manufacturing GDP, deploy cobots from Universal Robot and KUKA for tasks like precision welding and CNC machine tending, offsetting a 500,000-worker skills gap.
France’s aerospace industry uses Stäubli cobots for turbine assembly, while Italy’s food processing giants like Barilla employ cobots for packaging with <0.01mm repeatability. Spain’s renewable energy sector leverages Mobile Industrial Robot (MiR) for solar panel handling. The EU’s €15.4 billion Horizon Europe funding (2023–2027) supports AI-enhanced cobot R&D, with Fraunhofer IPA developing self-adjusting grippers for microelectronics. Demand stems from reshoring incentives, sustainability targets, and labor shortages, particularly in Germany, where 76% of automakers like BMW use cobots to achieve carbon-neutral production by 2030.
Collaborative Robot Market Major Players:
- ABB
- AUBO Robotics Inc.
- ComauS.p.A.
- DENSO Robotics
- EPSON Robots
- F&P Robotics AG
- Fanuc Corporation
- FrankaEmika GmbH
- KUKA AG
- Precise Automation, Inc.
- Rethink Robotics, Inc.
- Universal Robots A/S
- Yaskawa Electric Corporation
- Other Prominent Players
Key Market Segmentation:
By Component
- Hardware
- Robotic Arm
- End Of Arm Tool (EOAT)
- Welding Guns
- Grippers
- Others
- Robotic Screwdrivers
- Sanding and deburring tools
- Sensors
- Batteries
- Motors
- Controllers
- Others
- Software
By Load Carrying Capacity
- Less Than 5Kg
- 5-9 Kg
- 10-20 Kg
- Greater Than 20 KG
By Application
- Material Handling
- Assembling & Disassembling
- Welding & Soldering
- Palletizing and De-palletizing
- Dispensing
- Positioning
- Testing
- Sorting
- Others
By Industry
- Electronics
- Automotive
- Manufacturing
- Logistics
- Food and Beverage
- Chemicals
- Pharmaceutical
- Others
By Region
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Middle East and Africa
- South America
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