India Collaborative Robot Market By Payload Capacity (Up to 5 Kg, Between 5 and 10 Kg, Above 10 Kg), By Application (Assembly, Pick & Place, Machine Tending, Others), By Industry (Automotive, Electronics, Metals & Machining, Plastics & Polymers, Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Market Overview

India Collaborative Robot Market was valued at USD 148.82 Million in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 689.08 Million by 2031 with a CAGR of 29.10% during the forecast period. Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, are advanced robotic systems designed to work safely alongside human operators.

Unlike traditional industrial robots, cobots are equipped with sensors, force-limiting technology, and safety features that allow them to interact with humans without physical barriers. These robots are used across applications like assembly, packaging, quality inspection, and machine tending, making them highly suitable for dynamic and space-constrained environments like those found in Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

In India, the demand for collaborative robots is rising steadily due to the country’s shift towards Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing practices. With increasing labor costs, skill shortages, and the need for consistent production quality, Indian manufacturers—especially in sectors such as electronics, automotive, and pharmaceuticals—are adopting cobots to enhance productivity while maintaining safety and flexibility. Government initiatives like “Make in India” and the push for domestic manufacturing are further fueling the demand for cost-effective automation tools like cobots.

The India Collaborative Robot Market is expected to grow robustly as awareness about cobot benefits spreads beyond large enterprises to SMEs. The ability of cobots to be deployed without major infrastructure changes, coupled with falling costs and rising technological advancements (such as AI integration and plug-and-play software), positions them as an ideal solution for India’s diverse manufacturing landscape. Local production, education programs, and partnerships with global automation companies will further accelerate market expansion.

Key Market Drivers

Surge in Manufacturing Automation and Industry 4.0 Adoption

India’s manufacturing sector is entering a transformative phase, embracing automation technologies to increase output, consistency, and competitiveness. Collaborative robots, or cobots, are emerging as the preferred automation tools because they can work safely alongside human operators, eliminating the need for costly safety fencing. The flexibility of cobots allows manufacturers to redeploy them across multiple tasks—such as assembly, machine tending, and material handling—thus reducing idle time and enhancing labor productivity. As Indian factories modernize to meet global benchmarks, cobots offer a scalable, efficient way to automate without disrupting existing production floors.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which constitute over 45 percent of India’s industrial output, are adopting cobots to upgrade traditional operations. Unlike conventional robots, cobots do not require major infrastructure investments or specialized programming skills; they can be installed quickly with minimal interruption. This lowers the barrier to entry for automation, while still delivering measurable improvements in throughput and product quality. Furthermore, as Industry 4.0 initiatives gain momentum, manufacturers are integrating cobots with cloud-based analytics, smart sensors, and quality control systems, thereby boosting overall operational effectiveness and reducing scrap rates. A mid-sized automotive parts factory in Pune installed six cobots between 2022 and 2024. As a result, assembly throughput increased by 27 percent and product defects dropped by 18 percent. The company fully recovered the investment within 15 months, highlighting the cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency benefits of deploying collaborative robots in mid-scale Indian manufacturing.

Rising Labor Costs and Workforce Skill Constraints

India’s economic expansion has been accompanied by rising labor costs and a growing shortage of skilled operators in sectors like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and fast-moving consumer goods. The collaborative robot market responds directly to this challenge. Cobots augment human labor by taking over repetitive, ergonomically taxing, or precision-critical tasks—allowing the workforce to focus on oversight, quality control, and innovation. This human–robot pairing enhances operational flexibility, reduces dependency on unskilled labor, and helps manufacturers optimize labour utilization in the face of demographic shifts and urban wage pressures.

Cobots are increasingly deployed in high-variation production environments, such as limited-run product lines or custom-built goods, where dedicated automation can be cost-prohibitive. Their low setup time and intuitive teaching interfaces make them ideal for human-machine collaboration in real time. Employees with minimal training can redeploy cobots across multiple stations, rapidly adjusting workflows to meet changing production needs. This flexibility helps manufacturers maintain high levels of output despite seasonal fluctuations or labor shortages, and positions India’s workforce for more value-added roles. A textile factory in Tirupur adopted eight cobots in 2023 to automate yarn handling and lint removal. This led to a 30 percent reduction in physical strain on workers, a 22 percent jump in output per hour, and a 40 percent drop in operator turnover—showing cobots can enhance both productivity and workforce stability in labor-intensive sectors.

Growth of Service and Maintenance Ecosystem

One critical factor in accelerating cobot adoption is the growth of servicing, support, and integration networks across India. Collaborative robots require specialized setup—such as force-torque calibration, application-specific tooling, and connectivity integration. Leading global cobot manufacturers have partnered with local systems integrators to establish dedicated service hubs and training centers in industrial clusters. This rise in local support capabilities has reduced implementation delays and improved system uptime, making cobots a viable option for Indian firms wary of overseas lead times.

After-deployment operational support is emerging as a complementary revenue stream. Service companies now offer performance monitoring, preventative maintenance, and on-site training—managed digitally through remote diagnostics and predictive analytics. This reduces downtime risks and spreads utility investments over time. Together, these support ecosystems ensure tangible returns on cobot investments and spur confidence among mid-tier enterprises. As these ecosystems mature, cobot deployments will accelerate across geographies and sectors in India. By late 2024, five Pune-based integration firms managed over 140 collaborative robots, offering regular maintenance and predictive diagnostics. Maintaining uptime above 96 percent and performing over 350 service visits, these providers helped reduce annual cobot maintenance costs by 12 percent—making post-deployment support a key enabler of sustainable cobot adoption in the Indian industrial sector.

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Key Market Challenges

High Initial Cost of Deployment and Integration

Despite the long-term cost benefits of collaborative robots, the upfront capital required for acquisition, installation, integration, and training continues to be a significant barrier, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. Unlike traditional industrial automation, collaborative robots require tailored end-effectors, sensors, and safety configurations to suit specific applications. These customizations increase the initial investment beyond the base robot cost. Furthermore, integration with legacy machinery, production management systems, and workflow software can incur additional expenses and require expert technical support.

For many Indian manufacturers—especially those operating with tight margins or within unorganized sectors—this level of investment is difficult to justify without assured return on investment within a short payback window. Financial hesitation is further compounded by the limited availability of leasing models or flexible financing options specific to collaborative robots. Even when subsidies or tax incentives are available, the upfront nature of capital expenditure can stall adoption, leading many firms to continue relying on manual or semi-automated systems.

Lack of Skilled Workforce for Programming and Maintenance

While collaborative robots are often marketed for their ease of use, their implementation still requires a foundational understanding of programming, workflow design, and robotics logic. In India, there is a notable gap in the availability of trained technicians and engineers who can configure, program, and troubleshoot collaborative robots efficiently. This skills gap is particularly visible in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where many industrial clusters operate but lack institutional support for robotics training.

Without adequate skill development infrastructure, companies often become dependent on third-party integrators or foreign suppliers for deployment and maintenance. This not only raises the long-term cost of ownership but also increases the risk of downtime due to delays in technical support. Moreover, the shortage of standardized training programs focused specifically on collaborative robot technology has slowed industry-wide adoption. Until vocational education and upskilling initiatives catch up with this evolving demand, the collaborative robot market in India may continue to face talent-related bottlenecks.

Key Market Trends

Rising Demand for Human-Robot Collaboration in Non-Traditional Sectors

India is witnessing a noticeable shift in the application of collaborative robots beyond traditional industrial manufacturing. Sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and education are increasingly exploring collaborative robots for use cases like laboratory automation, surgical assistance, packaging, and even classroom demonstrations. These emerging sectors value the safe, compact, and adaptable nature of collaborative robots, especially in shared human environments.

This broadening use case is encouraging new forms of collaboration between original equipment manufacturers and sector-specific system integrators. Indian startups are also innovating around locally adapted collaborative robot solutions to serve these industries cost-effectively. This diversification is not only expanding the market base but also driving greater awareness and acceptance of collaborative robot technology across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in India.

Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Collaborative Robots

Collaborative robots in India are increasingly being enhanced with artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities. These technologies enable predictive maintenance, adaptive motion planning, object recognition, and continuous learning from human interactions. With these intelligent enhancements, collaborative robots can better respond to complex tasks and variable environments, reducing the need for reprogramming or manual intervention.

This trend is particularly valuable in high-mix, low-volume production settings common in Indian manufacturing, where flexibility is key. The ability of collaborative robots to analyze performance data and adjust workflows autonomously is creating a competitive edge for companies investing in such smart automation. As Indian firms prioritize digital transformation and data-driven decision-making, intelligent collaborative robots are expected to play a central role in driving operational efficiency and production agility.

Segmental Insights

Payload Capacity Insights

In 2025, the Up to 5 Kg payload segment emerged as the dominant force in the India Collaborative Robot Market. This segment gained traction primarily due to its suitability for light-duty tasks across a range of industries, including electronics assembly, packaging, inspection, quality control, and education. Small and medium-sized enterprises, especially in the consumer goods and electronics sectors, have shown a strong preference for compact, flexible collaborative robots that can be quickly integrated into existing workflows without extensive infrastructure changes.

These low-payload collaborative robots are also cost-effective, both in terms of initial acquisition and ongoing operation, making them ideal for businesses with limited automation budgets. Moreover, their smaller footprint and lighter structure allow them to work safely and efficiently alongside human workers, enabling partial automation of repetitive or ergonomically challenging tasks. Their popularity in training environments and academic institutions has also contributed to their widespread adoption, fostering future-ready robotics skills across the Indian workforce.

The Up to 5 Kg segment is expected to maintain its dominance due to its adaptability and alignment with the Indian manufacturing ecosystem. As industries move toward lean production and flexible automation strategies, these compact collaborative robots offer the agility required to switch between tasks quickly. Additionally, the rising availability of locally assembled or manufactured collaborative robots in this payload category is expected to drive down costs further, making them more accessible to smaller factories and service providers. With a clear combination of affordability, usability, and scalability, the segment is well-positioned to sustain its leadership in the Indian collaborative robotics landscape over the forecast period.

Application Insights

In 2025, the Assembly segment dominated the India Collaborative Robot Market by application and is expected to maintain its leading position during the forecast period. This dominance is largely driven by the collaborative robot’s precision, consistency, and adaptability in performing repetitive assembly tasks in sectors like electronics, automotive components, and consumer goods manufacturing.

Assembly tasks benefit significantly from collaborative robots’ ability to work closely with human operators, improving throughput without compromising safety. Indian manufacturers, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, are adopting collaborative robots for light-duty assembly processes to reduce cycle times, ensure product consistency, and address labor shortages. The scalable and flexible nature of these robots makes them ideal for diverse and evolving assembly-line needs across multiple industries.

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Regional Insights

In 2025, South India emerged as the leading region in the India Collaborative Robot Market, driven by a strong industrial ecosystem and rapid adoption of automation technologies. Cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad have become innovation hubs, attracting investments in manufacturing, electronics, aerospace, and automotive sectors. These industries have increasingly integrated collaborative robots into their operations to boost productivity, improve safety, and meet global manufacturing standards. The region’s highly developed infrastructure, skilled workforce, and concentration of technology parks have created an ideal environment for collaborative robot deployment.

The presence of leading original equipment manufacturers, system integrators, and robotics startups in South India has accelerated innovation and accessibility in the collaborative robot landscape. Favorable state-level policies, such as production incentives and automation grants, have further propelled growth. Educational institutions and research centers across South India have also played a key role by contributing to robotics-focused training and R&D, ensuring a steady talent pipeline. These combined factors are expected to help South India maintain its market leadership during the forecast period.

Recent Developments

• In February 2025, Delta Electronics launched its D-Bot series Collaborative Robots and a 240kW DC Fast EV Charger at ELECRAMA 2025 under the theme "Smart Manufacturing." These 6-axis cobots enhance industrial automation in electronics, packaging, and welding. Delta also showcased smart infrastructure solutions, reinforcing its commitment to India’s sustainable development, self-reliance in manufacturing, and energy transformation through advanced, efficient, and resilient technologies.
• In October 2024, ABB Robotics and NAMTECH signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish India’s first School of Robotics. This initiative aims to bridge the skills gap in automation by delivering hands-on, industry-relevant robotics education. Integrating ABB’s robotics expertise with NAMTECH’s innovative pedagogy, the partnership supports India’s industrial growth, emphasizing Industry 4.0, sustainability, and future-ready engineering talent through globally guided curricula and cutting-edge infrastructure.
• In June 2024, Universal Robots hosted “Collaborate India 2024” in Pune, the region’s largest collaborative robot (CoBot) expo. The event featured the launch of next-generation UR20 and UR30 robotic arms, the introduction of advanced software PolyScope X, and hands-on technical workshops, highlighting the company’s commitment to automation innovation and skill development in industrial robotics.

Key Market Players

• Universal Robots A/S
• ABB Ltd.
• KUKA AG
• FANUC Corporation
• YASKAWA Electric Corporation
• Techman Robot Inc.
• AUBO (Beijing) Robotics Technology Co., Ltd.
• Doosan Robotics Inc.

Report Scope:

In this report, the India Collaborative Robot Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• India Collaborative Robot Market, By Payload Capacity:

o   Up to 5 Kg

o   Between 5 and 10 Kg

o   Above 10 Kg

• India Collaborative Robot Market, By Application:

o   Assembly

o   Pick & Place

o   Machine Tending

o   Others

• India Collaborative Robot Market, By Industry:

o   Automotive

o   Electronics

o   Metals & Machining

o   Plastics & Polymers

o   Others

• India Collaborative Robot Market, By Region:

o   South India

o   North India

o   West India

o   East India

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the India Collaborative Robot Market.

Available Customizations:

India Collaborative Robot Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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