According to the IFR, the market value of installed industrial robots has reached a new high of US$16.7 billion worldwide and is forecast to continue to rise significantly. The IFR identified five core trends as drivers of growth that point to specific investment paths for industry decision-makers.

AI ensures autonomy

Unsurprisingly, the integration of artificial intelligence ranks first in the IFR trend analysis, as it gives robots increasing autonomy. Analytical AI models help process large amounts of sensor data for predictive maintenance or for optimizing routes and resources in intralogistics, while generative AI enables robots to overcome rule-based behavior and learn new tasks autonomously. Agentic AI, a combination of analytical and generative AI, is designed to enable robots to make decisions in complex real-world scenarios. A practical example can be found in networked production lines, where AI-supported robots independently adjust production plans when material bottlenecks or quality deviations occur. In intralogistics, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) such as those from MiR or OTTO Motors demonstrate how AI-optimized navigation can reduce throughput times and relieve human workers of routine tasks.

Increasing convergence of IT and OT puts robots at the center of attention

Closely linked to AI is the second IFR trend: the convergence of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT). The IFR emphasizes that linking the data processing power of IT with the physical control capabilities of OT increases the versatility of robotics through real-time data exchange, automation, and advanced analytics. In practice, this means that production and control systems (e.g., ERP, MES) are connected to robotics controllers in real time. For example, digital twins can be used to virtually simulate and optimize real production processes – from material feeding to quality control.

Humanoid robots conquer diverse assembly processes

The third trend concerns the humanoid robots hyped by the media, which, thanks to increasing efficiency and reliability, are evolving from gadgets to serious capital goods for industrial users. IFR experts consider them “a promising technology when flexibility is required, typically in environments designed for humans.” In this context, they refer to applications that go beyond traditional manufacturing islands. While humanoid systems such as the prototypes from Neura Robotics are making headlines, companies such as Schunk are working on providing modular humanoid gripper arms for industrial environments in order to automate assembly and handling tasks that were previously performed manually in a more flexible manner. Such platforms are particularly interesting for production lines where standardized robot arms reach their limits, for example in assembly processes with a wide variety of variants.

Security requirements are growing

In parallel, the IFR highlights growing security and safety requirements as the fourth global trend: “The AI-driven autonomy of robots is fundamentally changing the security landscape, making testing, validation, and human supervision much more complex, but also necessary.” The increasing complexity of testing, validation, and safety certification according to ISO standards, especially in conjunction with IT/OT systems and cloud-based AI services, poses a considerable challenge. Companies must ensure that robotics platforms not only operate physically safely, but are also protected against cyber risks, as networked systems are exposed to potential attack vectors.

Robots ease the staffing situation

Finally, the fifth trend identified by the IFR addresses one of the most pressing economic factors: the shortage of skilled workers. The IFR increasingly describes robots as “allies against the shortage of skilled workers.” In practice, this is most evident in cobots, which work safely alongside humans and take on repetitive or ergonomically stressful tasks, as well as in AMRs, which organize material flows in logistics centers without human drivers. This aspect is becoming increasingly important strategically, especially in aging industrialized nations such as Germany, as robots help to maintain productivity and free up employees for higher-value activities.

Five trends and a recommendation for action

Viewed objectively, the IFR analysis for 2026 leads to a clear recommendation for action: AI-supported autonomy, IT/OT integration, humanoid flexibility, security architectures, and the response to labor shortages are the technological fields in which industrial companies should now invest. Robots are no longer just means of production, but central elements of digital value chains that increase efficiency, resilience, and innovative strength at the same time – provided that their introduction is accompanied by targeted technology investments and integrative organizational strategies.