Industrial robots are robot-native machines designed for factory, warehouse, and production-line environments. They automate tasks such as welding, assembly, painting, and material handling. Unlike vehicles that become autonomous, industrial robots were robotic from inception. They are deployed in large fleets and increasingly in collaborative modes with human workers.
| Form Factor | Value | Examples |
| Articulated Robots |
Multi-joint arms for welding, painting, assembly |
FANUC, KUKA, ABB IRB series |
| SCARA Robots |
Fast, precise pick-and-place |
Yamaha, Epson, Mitsubishi |
| Delta Robots |
High-speed packaging, lightweight items |
ABB FlexPicker, FANUC Delta series |
| Cartesian Robots |
Linear axes for CNC, gantries, 3D printing |
IAI, Güdel gantries |
| Collaborative Robots (Cobots) |
Safe human–robot interaction, flexible tasks |
Universal Robots, ABB YuMi, FANUC CRX |
| Mobile Industrial Robots |
Material transport in factories/warehouses |
MiR, OTTO Motors, Locus Robotics |
Spotlight: Collaborative Robots (Cobots)
Cobots are the fastest-growing segment in industrial robotics. They combine safety features with ease of deployment, enabling human–robot collaboration in smaller manufacturing environments.
| Feature | Value | Examples |
| Safety |
Force/torque sensors, lightweight builds |
Universal Robots UR series |
| Flexibility |
Easily reprogrammed, redeployed |
ABB YuMi |
| Adoption |
SMEs, light assembly, packaging |
FANUC CRX series |
Technology Stack
| Layer | Examples | Primary Role |
| Perception |
Vision cameras, LiDAR, force sensors |
Object recognition, precision handling, safety |
| Motion Control |
Servo motors, actuators, controllers |
Precise, repeatable movements |
| Autonomy Software |
Path planning, vision AI, optimization |
Efficient task automation, adaptive workflows |
| Connectivity |
Industrial Ethernet, OPC-UA, 5G |
Integration with MES/ERP, remote monitoring |
| Human Interface |
Teach pendants, drag-and-drop HMI |
Simple setup, safe collaboration |
Charging & Energy Considerations
| Robot Type | Power Source | Notes |
| Stationary Robots |
AC tethered factory power |
Continuous operation with backup supply |
| Mobile Robots (AMRs, AGVs) |
Lithium-ion batteries |
Depot charging or inductive charging stations |
Market Outlook
| Rank | Adoption Segment | Drivers | Constraints |
| 1 |
Articulated Robots |
Automotive, electronics, mature ecosystem |
High upfront cost; fixed task orientation |
| 2 |
Cobots |
Human-safe; SME adoption; flexible |
Lower payload; slower speeds |
| 3 |
Mobile Industrial Robots |
Warehouse/logistics growth; flexible operations |
Navigation in mixed-traffic sites |
| 4 |
SCARA & Delta Robots |
High-speed packaging, pick-and-place |
Niche scope; low versatility |