Mobile robots: Global sales in intralogistics increase by 19 percent

Transport and logistics applications represent the largest market segment within professional service robotics, according to the results of the annual report. Out of the approximately 117,500 robots sold worldwide in this sector, about 103,700 units were mobile systems for intralogistics.

The robots take on various tasks in internal material and goods flow. This includes transportation inside and outside buildings, supplying production processes, and moving goods in storage areas. Other areas of use include loading and unloading trucks and pallets.

With sales growth of 19 percent compared to 2024, mobile intralogistics robotics also saw increasing demand in 2025. However, the published figures only refer to the companies covered in the annual report and do not reflect the full global market.

More than 90 percent of robots originate from Asia-Pacific

When it comes to the regional origin of mobile intralogistics robots, there is a strong concentration on Asian providers. According to the International Federation of Robotics, more than 90 percent of the recorded systems come from the Asia-Pacific region. European manufacturers account for seven percent, while North and South America together reach a share of one percent.

The VDMA specialist association for materials handling and intralogistics sees the government promotion of Chinese manufacturers as a competitive factor. According to the association's assessment, Chinese support measures lead to unequal conditions at the expense of European providers.

At the same time, the association points out that for industrial applications, criteria other than the number of units sold are relevant. These include, in particular, the quality and safety of the systems as well as their reliability and the available services.