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Report Description

Report Description

Forecast Period

2026-2030

Market Size (2024)

USD 7.52 Billion

CAGR (2025-2030)

7.93%

Fastest Growing Segment

Control Robots

Largest Market

North America

Market Size (2030)

USD 11.89 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Material Handling Robotics Market, valued at USD 7.52 Billion in 2024, is projected to experience a CAGR of 7.93% to reach USD 11.89 Billion by 2030. Material handling robotics encompasses automated systems engineered to facilitate the movement, storage, protection, and control of materials and products across diverse stages of manufacturing, distribution, consumption, and disposal. Key drivers propelling this market include escalating labor costs, the imperative for enhanced operational efficiency, stricter workplace safety regulations, and the demand for increased throughput within industrial and logistics operations. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), in 2022, 553,052 industrial robots were installed globally, with installations reaching 541,302 units in 2023.

Further supporting market expansion, sales of professional service robots, with more than one in two units sold for transportation and logistics applications pertinent to material handling, increased by 30% worldwide to over 205,000 units in 2023, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). However, a significant impediment to market growth remains the substantial initial investment required for the acquisition and integration of these advanced robotic systems into existing infrastructure.

Key Market Drivers

Increased demand for industrial automation significantly influences the global material handling robotics market, as manufacturers across various sectors prioritize enhancing productivity, optimizing operational costs, and improving product quality. This pervasive drive towards automated processes integrates robots into assembly lines, quality inspection, and machine tending, reducing manual intervention and boosting output consistency. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), in its preliminary results released on April 30, 2024, U. S. industrial robot installations rose by 12% to 44,303 units in 2023, demonstrating a clear commitment to augmenting automated capabilities within manufacturing operations. This sustained investment underscores the strategic importance of robotics in maintaining competitive advantage and addressing industrial production complexities.

The rapid expansion of e-commerce and logistics sectors constitutes another pivotal driver, necessitating robust automation solutions to manage escalating goods volumes and the demand for swift, accurate order fulfillment. Shifting consumer purchasing habits have pressured supply chains to adopt advanced material handling robotics for warehousing, sorting, and last-mile delivery. According to the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association, in cooperation with the International Federation of Robotics, on October 31, 2024, the "World Robotics - Service Robots" annual report stated that 80,300 mobile robots for intralogistics applications were sold worldwide in 2023, representing a 24% increase over 2022. This growth highlights their crucial role in streamlining logistics processes. Overall investment in robotic equipment further reflects this strategic shift; according to the U. S. Census Bureau, in its Annual Capital Expenditures Survey estimates released on April 10, 2024, U. S. capital expenditures for robotic equipment totaled $12,960 million in 2022. This capital deployment across industries signifies a broader embrace of autonomous material handling systems.


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Key Market Challenges

The substantial initial investment required for the acquisition and integration of advanced robotic systems represents a significant impediment to the growth of the Global Material Handling Robotics Market. This high upfront capital outlay directly limits market penetration, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that often lack the extensive financial resources of larger corporations. Businesses face considerable financial commitment not only for the robotic hardware but also for complex system integration, software, and necessary infrastructure modifications.

According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the operational stock of industrial robots reached a new record of 4.28 million units globally in 2023, signifying the cumulative investment already made in this technology. This demonstrates the considerable capital expenditure involved in adopting automation, making it a challenging proposition for new entrants or companies looking to modernize on a tighter budget. Consequently, the rate of new adoptions is curtailed, and the market's expansion is constrained as potential users defer or forgo these costly investments.

Key Market Trends

The deep integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning is fundamentally transforming material handling robotics by enabling systems to perform more complex tasks with greater autonomy and precision. These advanced technologies allow robots to learn from their environment, optimize workflows, and adapt to changing conditions without extensive human reprogramming. According to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), North American companies ordered 31,311 robots valued at $1.963 billion in 2024, showcasing a growing market where AI integration is becoming fundamental for advanced functionalities. This trend is further evidenced by significant corporate investment; for instance, ABB announced in October 2025 that it would divest its robotics division to SoftBank Group Corp. for an enterprise value of $5.375 billion, aiming to combine ABB Robotics' technology with SoftBank's capabilities in AI, robotics, and next-generation computing. Such strategic collaborations accelerate the deployment of intelligent robots capable of predictive maintenance, cognitive computing, and advanced visual inspections within material handling operations.

Another significant trend is the increased adoption of Robotics-as-a-Service models, which democratize access to advanced automation by lowering upfront investment barriers. RaaS enables businesses to subscribe to robotic solutions, encompassing hardware, software, maintenance, and support, as an operational expense rather than a substantial capital outlay. This model allows for greater scalability and flexibility, particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) in their World Robotics 2024 report, the total number of industrial robots installed globally in 2023 reached 541,302 units, marking the second-highest annual installation figure in history, reflecting a broad market ripe for RaaS adoption. A tangible example of this trend appeared in October 2024, when Bigwave Robotics, an automation integrator based in Seoul, introduced its robot-as-a-service model for hospitals, providing automated solutions for non-medical tasks such as delivery and cleaning. This highlights the expansion of RaaS beyond traditional manufacturing into diverse service-oriented material handling applications.

Segmental Insights

The Control Robots segment is experiencing rapid growth in the Global Material Handling Robotics Market, primarily driven by the escalating demand for advanced automation solutions across manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics. This segment's expansion is fueled by continuous technological advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sophisticated sensor systems, which enable robots to perform intricate tasks with enhanced precision and adaptability. These advanced control systems are crucial for integrating robotics seamlessly into modern smart factory environments and complex e-commerce fulfillment operations, addressing the critical industry needs for increased efficiency, optimized throughput, and resilience against labor shortages. The ability of Control Robots to manage dynamic material flows and execute complex decision-making processes positions them as a pivotal driver of market evolution.

Regional Insights

North America leads the Global Material Handling Robotics Market due to its highly developed industrial manufacturing sector and proactive adoption of automation technologies across key industries such as automotive and food and beverage. This dominance is further propelled by the significant growth of the e-commerce and logistics sectors, which necessitates efficient order fulfillment and extensive warehouse automation. Additionally, rising labor costs and shortages incentivize businesses to invest in robotic solutions to enhance productivity and optimize operational processes. The region also benefits from a strong ecosystem of technological advancements and the widespread integration of Industry 4.0 principles, fostering continuous innovation and deployment of advanced material handling robots.

Recent Developments

  • In May 2025, Kawasaki collaborated with the U.S. robotics startup Dexterity to develop a custom robotic arm. This arm was specifically engineered for "Mech," an AI-powered robot designed to autonomously load trucks in logistics facilities. This partnership combines Kawasaki's expertise in industrial robotics with Dexterity's AI capabilities to create specialized solutions for complex material handling challenges. The initiative represents a significant step in developing intelligent automation for demanding warehouse and logistics environments within the global material handling robotics market.

  • In May 2024, Doosan Robotics Inc. unveiled its P-SERIES, also known as the PRIME-SERIES, of collaborative robots at Automate 2024. The new P3020 model, highlighted as a powerful cobot for palletizing, offers a 30kg payload capacity and a 2,030mm reach, enabling efficient stacking up to two meters high without requiring an additional lift. This launch demonstrates a commitment to expanding capabilities within the global material handling robotics market, particularly for tasks requiring significant reach and payload while ensuring human-robot collaboration and safety.

  • In May 2024, Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) showcased its MiR1200 Pallet Jack, making its U.S. debut at Automate 2024. This autonomous mobile robot (AMR) integrates NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin technology for advanced AI-driven pallet detection and 3D vision, allowing for accurate identification and handling of pallets. Additionally, MiR introduced new AI functionalities to its MiR Insights analytics software, enhancing intuitive data interaction and optimization. This dual introduction underscores advancements in AI-enabled solutions for the global material handling robotics market.

  • In March 2024, Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT) announced the launch of ROBiN, a Robotic Induction System, designed to enhance material handling solutions for warehousing. This innovative solution leverages AI, machine vision, and intelligent algorithms to improve the efficiency and throughput of inducting cases into automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). ROBiN can optimize the fill density of totes and is engineered to manage diverse case sizes and shapes without prior configuration. This development signifies a notable advancement in warehouse automation within the global material handling robotics market.

Key Market Players

  • ABB Ltd.
  • KUKA Aktiengesellschaft
  • Fanuc Corporation
  • Yaskawa Electric Corporation
  • Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
  • KION Group AG
  • Omron Corporation
  • Zebra Technologies Corporation
  • Seegrid Corporation
  • Daifuku Co., Ltd

By Type

By Function

By End-User

By Application

By Region

  • Transportation Handling Robots
  • Positioning
  • Unit Load Formation Robots
  • Storage
  • Identification
  • Control Robots
  • Assembly
  • Packaging
  • Transportation
  • Distribution
  • Storage
  • Waste Handling
  • Automotive
  • Chemical
  • Electrical and Electronics
  • Industrial Machinery
  • Food and Beverage
  • Others
  • Pick and Place
  • Palletizing/De-Palletizing
  • Product/Part Transfer
  • Machine Tending
  • Others
  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • South America
  • Middle East & Africa
  • Report Scope:

    In this report, the Global Material Handling Robotics Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

    • Material Handling Robotics Market, By Type:

    o   Transportation Handling Robots

    o   Positioning

    o   Unit Load Formation Robots

    o   Storage

    o   Identification

    o   Control Robots

    • Material Handling Robotics Market, By Function:

    o   Assembly

    o   Packaging

    o   Transportation

    o   Distribution

    o   Storage

    o   Waste Handling

    • Material Handling Robotics Market, By End-User:

    o   Automotive

    o   Chemical

    o   Electrical and Electronics

    o   Industrial Machinery

    o   Food and Beverage

    o   Others

    • Material Handling Robotics Market, By Application:

    o   Pick and Place

    o   Palletizing/De-Palletizing

    o   Product/Part Transfer

    o   Machine Tending

    o   Others

    • Material Handling Robotics Market, By Region:

    o   North America

    §  United States

    §  Canada

    §  Mexico

    o   Europe

    §  France

    §  United Kingdom

    §  Italy

    §  Germany

    §  Spain

    o   Asia Pacific

    §  China

    §  India

    §  Japan

    §  Australia

    §  South Korea

    o   South America

    §  Brazil

    §  Argentina

    §  Colombia

    o   Middle East & Africa

    §  South Africa

    §  Saudi Arabia

    §  UAE

    Competitive Landscape

    Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Material Handling Robotics Market.

    Available Customizations:

    Global Material Handling Robotics 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).

    Global Material Handling Robotics Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]

    Table of content

    Table of content

    1.    Product Overview

    1.1.  Market Definition

    1.2.  Scope of the Market

    1.2.1.  Markets Covered

    1.2.2.  Years Considered for Study

    1.2.3.  Key Market Segmentations

    2.    Research Methodology

    2.1.  Objective of the Study

    2.2.  Baseline Methodology

    2.3.  Key Industry Partners

    2.4.  Major Association and Secondary Sources

    2.5.  Forecasting Methodology

    2.6.  Data Triangulation & Validation

    2.7.  Assumptions and Limitations

    3.    Executive Summary

    3.1.  Overview of the Market

    3.2.  Overview of Key Market Segmentations

    3.3.  Overview of Key Market Players

    3.4.  Overview of Key Regions/Countries

    3.5.  Overview of Market Drivers, Challenges, Trends

    4.    Voice of Customer

    5.    Global Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    5.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    5.1.1.  By Value

    5.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    5.2.1.  By Type (Transportation Handling Robots, Positioning, Unit Load Formation Robots, Storage, Identification, Control Robots)

    5.2.2.  By Function (Assembly, Packaging, Transportation, Distribution, Storage, Waste Handling)

    5.2.3.  By End-User (Automotive, Chemical, Electrical and Electronics, Industrial Machinery, Food and Beverage, Others)

    5.2.4.  By Application (Pick and Place, Palletizing/De-Palletizing, Product/Part Transfer, Machine Tending, Others)

    5.2.5.  By Region

    5.2.6.  By Company (2024)

    5.3.  Market Map

    6.    North America Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    6.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    6.1.1.  By Value

    6.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    6.2.1.  By Type

    6.2.2.  By Function

    6.2.3.  By End-User

    6.2.4.  By Application

    6.2.5.  By Country

    6.3.    North America: Country Analysis

    6.3.1.    United States Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    6.3.1.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    6.3.1.1.1.  By Value

    6.3.1.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    6.3.1.2.1.  By Type

    6.3.1.2.2.  By Function

    6.3.1.2.3.  By End-User

    6.3.1.2.4.  By Application

    6.3.2.    Canada Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    6.3.2.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    6.3.2.1.1.  By Value

    6.3.2.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    6.3.2.2.1.  By Type

    6.3.2.2.2.  By Function

    6.3.2.2.3.  By End-User

    6.3.2.2.4.  By Application

    6.3.3.    Mexico Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    6.3.3.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    6.3.3.1.1.  By Value

    6.3.3.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    6.3.3.2.1.  By Type

    6.3.3.2.2.  By Function

    6.3.3.2.3.  By End-User

    6.3.3.2.4.  By Application

    7.    Europe Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    7.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    7.1.1.  By Value

    7.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    7.2.1.  By Type

    7.2.2.  By Function

    7.2.3.  By End-User

    7.2.4.  By Application

    7.2.5.  By Country

    7.3.    Europe: Country Analysis

    7.3.1.    Germany Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    7.3.1.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    7.3.1.1.1.  By Value

    7.3.1.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    7.3.1.2.1.  By Type

    7.3.1.2.2.  By Function

    7.3.1.2.3.  By End-User

    7.3.1.2.4.  By Application

    7.3.2.    France Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    7.3.2.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    7.3.2.1.1.  By Value

    7.3.2.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    7.3.2.2.1.  By Type

    7.3.2.2.2.  By Function

    7.3.2.2.3.  By End-User

    7.3.2.2.4.  By Application

    7.3.3.    United Kingdom Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    7.3.3.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    7.3.3.1.1.  By Value

    7.3.3.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    7.3.3.2.1.  By Type

    7.3.3.2.2.  By Function

    7.3.3.2.3.  By End-User

    7.3.3.2.4.  By Application

    7.3.4.    Italy Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    7.3.4.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    7.3.4.1.1.  By Value

    7.3.4.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    7.3.4.2.1.  By Type

    7.3.4.2.2.  By Function

    7.3.4.2.3.  By End-User

    7.3.4.2.4.  By Application

    7.3.5.    Spain Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    7.3.5.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    7.3.5.1.1.  By Value

    7.3.5.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    7.3.5.2.1.  By Type

    7.3.5.2.2.  By Function

    7.3.5.2.3.  By End-User

    7.3.5.2.4.  By Application

    8.    Asia Pacific Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    8.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    8.1.1.  By Value

    8.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    8.2.1.  By Type

    8.2.2.  By Function

    8.2.3.  By End-User

    8.2.4.  By Application

    8.2.5.  By Country

    8.3.    Asia Pacific: Country Analysis

    8.3.1.    China Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    8.3.1.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    8.3.1.1.1.  By Value

    8.3.1.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    8.3.1.2.1.  By Type

    8.3.1.2.2.  By Function

    8.3.1.2.3.  By End-User

    8.3.1.2.4.  By Application

    8.3.2.    India Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    8.3.2.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    8.3.2.1.1.  By Value

    8.3.2.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    8.3.2.2.1.  By Type

    8.3.2.2.2.  By Function

    8.3.2.2.3.  By End-User

    8.3.2.2.4.  By Application

    8.3.3.    Japan Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    8.3.3.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    8.3.3.1.1.  By Value

    8.3.3.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    8.3.3.2.1.  By Type

    8.3.3.2.2.  By Function

    8.3.3.2.3.  By End-User

    8.3.3.2.4.  By Application

    8.3.4.    South Korea Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    8.3.4.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    8.3.4.1.1.  By Value

    8.3.4.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    8.3.4.2.1.  By Type

    8.3.4.2.2.  By Function

    8.3.4.2.3.  By End-User

    8.3.4.2.4.  By Application

    8.3.5.    Australia Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    8.3.5.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    8.3.5.1.1.  By Value

    8.3.5.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    8.3.5.2.1.  By Type

    8.3.5.2.2.  By Function

    8.3.5.2.3.  By End-User

    8.3.5.2.4.  By Application

    9.    Middle East & Africa Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    9.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    9.1.1.  By Value

    9.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    9.2.1.  By Type

    9.2.2.  By Function

    9.2.3.  By End-User

    9.2.4.  By Application

    9.2.5.  By Country

    9.3.    Middle East & Africa: Country Analysis

    9.3.1.    Saudi Arabia Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    9.3.1.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    9.3.1.1.1.  By Value

    9.3.1.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    9.3.1.2.1.  By Type

    9.3.1.2.2.  By Function

    9.3.1.2.3.  By End-User

    9.3.1.2.4.  By Application

    9.3.2.    UAE Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    9.3.2.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    9.3.2.1.1.  By Value

    9.3.2.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    9.3.2.2.1.  By Type

    9.3.2.2.2.  By Function

    9.3.2.2.3.  By End-User

    9.3.2.2.4.  By Application

    9.3.3.    South Africa Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    9.3.3.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    9.3.3.1.1.  By Value

    9.3.3.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    9.3.3.2.1.  By Type

    9.3.3.2.2.  By Function

    9.3.3.2.3.  By End-User

    9.3.3.2.4.  By Application

    10.    South America Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    10.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    10.1.1.  By Value

    10.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    10.2.1.  By Type

    10.2.2.  By Function

    10.2.3.  By End-User

    10.2.4.  By Application

    10.2.5.  By Country

    10.3.    South America: Country Analysis

    10.3.1.    Brazil Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    10.3.1.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    10.3.1.1.1.  By Value

    10.3.1.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    10.3.1.2.1.  By Type

    10.3.1.2.2.  By Function

    10.3.1.2.3.  By End-User

    10.3.1.2.4.  By Application

    10.3.2.    Colombia Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    10.3.2.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    10.3.2.1.1.  By Value

    10.3.2.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    10.3.2.2.1.  By Type

    10.3.2.2.2.  By Function

    10.3.2.2.3.  By End-User

    10.3.2.2.4.  By Application

    10.3.3.    Argentina Material Handling Robotics Market Outlook

    10.3.3.1.  Market Size & Forecast

    10.3.3.1.1.  By Value

    10.3.3.2.  Market Share & Forecast

    10.3.3.2.1.  By Type

    10.3.3.2.2.  By Function

    10.3.3.2.3.  By End-User

    10.3.3.2.4.  By Application

    11.    Market Dynamics

    11.1.  Drivers

    11.2.  Challenges

    12.    Market Trends & Developments

    12.1.  Merger & Acquisition (If Any)

    12.2.  Product Launches (If Any)

    12.3.  Recent Developments

    13.    Global Material Handling Robotics Market: SWOT Analysis

    14.    Porter's Five Forces Analysis

    14.1.  Competition in the Industry

    14.2.  Potential of New Entrants

    14.3.  Power of Suppliers

    14.4.  Power of Customers

    14.5.  Threat of Substitute Products

    15.    Competitive Landscape

    15.1.  ABB Ltd.

    15.1.1.  Business Overview

    15.1.2.  Products & Services

    15.1.3.  Recent Developments

    15.1.4.  Key Personnel

    15.1.5.  SWOT Analysis

    15.2.  KUKA Aktiengesellschaft

    15.3.  Fanuc Corporation

    15.4.  Yaskawa Electric Corporation

    15.5.  Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

    15.6.  KION Group AG

    15.7.  Omron Corporation

    15.8.  Zebra Technologies Corporation

    15.9.  Seegrid Corporation

    15.10.  Daifuku Co., Ltd

    16.    Strategic Recommendations

    17.    About Us & Disclaimer

    Figures and Tables

    Frequently asked questions

    Frequently asked questions

    The market size of the Global Material Handling Robotics Market was estimated to be USD 7.52 Billion in 2024.

    North America is the dominating region in the Global Material Handling Robotics Market.

    Control Robots segment is the fastest growing segment in the Global Material Handling Robotics Market.

    The Global Material Handling Robotics Market is expected to grow at 7.93% between 2025 to 2030.

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