FOCUS ON AUTOMATION
industries. The robotics sector is not isolated from these developments. Nevertheless, looking ahead, the outlook for robotics remains highly promising, although regional dynamics differ. As companies continue to invest in automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, robotics will remain a key enabler of innovation and sustainable productivity growth,” confirmed Takayuki Ito, President, IFR.
Top 5 global robotics trends
In January 2026, the IFR published its“ Top 5 Global Robotics Trends for 2026”, based upon feedback from IFR members and industry experts. These are:
1. Artificial Intelligence is driving smarter robotics.
2. The convergence of IT and Operational Technology( OT).
As companies continue to invest in automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, robotics will remain a key enabler of innovation and sustainable productivity growth
converge, we are witnessing the emergence of a new generation of versatile automation technologies,” said the IFR.
With the adoption of smart technology, robots have now also become more sophisticated and versatile.
“ Industrial robot manufacturers plan to implement several technologies in robots such as AI, machine learning, cloud robotics, edge computing, additive manufacturing and advances in sensors and vision systems. These advances in various technologies have boosted efficiency, reduced operational costs and [ ensured ] precision,” commented analyst, Fortune Business Insights.
To partially address global labour shortages,
IFR’ s“ Women in Robotics” initiative recognizes outstanding women whose work is advancing robotics innovation across research, industry and entrepreneurship. IFR aims to encourage more women to pursue careers in robotics and engineering and to strengthen the global robotics ecosystem.
A sustainable milestone
ABB Robotics is leading the development of a technical specification for the International Standardisation Organisation( ISO), along with 11 other countries, to measure the energy consumption and efficiency of an industrial robot.
“ ABB Robotics is spearheading an initiative to develop the first global, standardised method for measuring the energy consumption and efficiency of industrial robots. This effort marks a critical step towards improving transparency and supporting the global transition to more sustainable manufacturing,” said the IFR.
“ With no global standard currently in place, it’ s a challenge for customers to compare the energy consumption of different robots and choose the most energy-efficient solution,” commented Gianluca Brotto, Head of Sustainability, ABB Robotics.“ Unlike other products such as fridges, TVs, washing machines and motors, there is no standard for measuring the energy consumption of a robot. This initiative will empower customers to make informed decisions and help the industry to reduce its carbon footprint.”
Collaborating with the Swedish Institute for Standardisation( SIS), ABB Robotics has
3. Humanoid robots are entering real-world testing environments.
4. Robotics is helping to address global labour shortages.
Image: KUKA.
5. There is an increased focus on robot safety, cybersecurity and standards.
“ These trends illustrate how robotics is evolving from isolated automation solutions into connected, intelligent systems. The integration of AI, data infrastructure and advanced hardware is enabling robots to perform increasingly complex tasks, collaborate more closely with humans and operate in a wider variety of environments. As industrial and service robotics continue to
Cobot and human.
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