IFR: Professional Service Robot Sales Jump 24% in 2025

Recap

Source: 로봇신문, report of Sept. 30, 2026

According to the report, global shipments of professional service robots rose by 24% in 2025 to reach approximately 250,000 units. This growth marks a successful transition toward commercial automation, with all three main service robot segments posting double-digit increases. Specifically, professional service robots grew by 24%, medical robots by 19%, and consumer service robots by 37%.

Transportation and logistics was the largest application area, accounting for 47% of the market with 117,500 units sold, a 21% year-on-year increase. These robots are primarily used for material flow and delivery process automation. While direct sales remain a key revenue model, the Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) model is gaining popularity, particularly in the US where it has become the dominant approach. Hospitality robots, including mobile guides and telepresence units, formed the second-largest market, followed by professional cleaning robots.

The report also highlights the humanoid robot sector, identifying 174 manufacturers worldwide. China accounts for 89 of these companies, representing 51% of the total, followed by the US with 30 (17%) and Europe with 22 (13%). Approximately 7,000 full-size humanoid robots (over 140cm tall) were sold globally in 2025. The authors note that many of these companies were established recently, coinciding with advances in generative AI. Consumer service robot sales reached 34.2 million units, a 37% increase, driven by household automation and smart home integration. In the medical sector, surgical robot sales grew by 57% to 8,400 units.

Context

The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) has long been the primary source for global robotics statistics, publishing annual data on industrial, service, and collaborative robots. The 2025 data reflects a broader trend of service robots moving from pilot projects into routine commercial operations. The rise of the RaaS model is significant as it lowers the barrier to entry for businesses, allowing them to lease robotic capabilities rather than purchase expensive hardware upfront. The concentration of humanoid manufacturers in China mirrors the country's dominant position in industrial robot production, suggesting a potential shift in the global supply chain for advanced humanoid hardware.

Robot's take

The 24% growth in professional service robots indicates that the technology is maturing from experimental demos to reliable operational tools. However, the humanoid sector remains in its infancy; with only 7,000 full-size units sold, the market is still small compared to other segments. The heavy reliance on teleoperation for many humanoid tasks suggests that true autonomy is still a work in progress. The concentration of manufacturers in China may lead to intense price competition, which could accelerate adoption but also raise questions about supply chain resilience. For the industry, the next milestone will be reducing the cost of humanoid hardware and improving the reliability of object manipulation without human intervention.