Service Robots in 2026: Logistics Grows, Europe Falls Behind

Automation Service Robots Are Making their Mark in Intralogistics

2026-10-27 From Dipl.-Betriebswirt (FH) Bernd Maienschein | Translated by AI 1 min Reading Time

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Robot sales are up 19 percent, with Asian vendors experiencing strong growth while European vendors are losing market share. Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) is becoming increasingly established in the market.

Global sales of mobile robots in intralogistics rose by 19 percent in 2025 to approximately 103,700 units.(Image: VDMA/IFR) — Global sales of mobile robots in intralogistics rose by 19 percent in 2025 to approximately 103,700 units.
(Image: VDMA/IFR)

The annual report “World Robotics 2026 – Service Robots” by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) reveals that approximately 117,500 robots for transportation and logistics applications were sold worldwide. In total, the IFR annual report shows 250,000 units sold in the service robot sector. According to the report, with a 47 percent share, no other sector saw more robots built than transportation and logistics. Of the units sold, approximately 103,700 were mobile robots for intralogistics applications (19 percent more than in 2024). The robots are used for transporting materials and goods indoors and outdoors, support production processes, move goods within warehouses, and assist with the loading and unloading of trucks and pallets.

Where Do these Steel Companions Come From?

More than 90 percent of mobile robots for intralogistics come from the Asia-Pacific region, followed by Europe at 7 percent and North and South America at 1 percent. Direct sales remain the most important sales channel. However, “robot-as-a-service” offerings are becoming increasingly prevalent. From 2024 to 2025, this market grew by 42 percent.

The high market share in Asia reflects the tremendous momentum of the automation markets there. We welcome fair competition with Chinese suppliers.

Sascha Schmel, Managing Director of the VDMA Division for Material Handling and Intralogistics

VDMA representative Schmel also points out that Chinese subsidy measures would create an uneven playing field at the expense of European manufacturers. He notes that in industrial applications, it is not just volume that matters, “but above all quality, safety, reliability, and service.”

For anyone interested in delving deeper into the subject, the IFR is hosting an event on Friday, October 30, at webinar on the annual report, which will present the most important market figures, trends, and developments in global service robotics. The webinar also focuses on current key topics such as construction and demolition robots as well as humanoids.

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