September 2019

Service robots global sales hit 12.9 billion USD

Service Robots for PROFESSIONAL USE – market overview

The total number of professional service robots sold in 2018 rose by 61% to more than 271,000 units, up from roughly 168,000 in 2017.

The sales value of logistic systems is estimated at almost USD 3.7 billion which is 53% more than the year before. In terms of units, almost 111,000 logistic systems were sold in 2018 – this is 60% more than in 2017 (69,000). 7,700 autonomous guided vehicles (AGV) in manufacturing environments and almost 103,000 in non-manufacturing environments are the driving force behind this rapidly growing market. The trend to use logistic systems in non-manufacturing industries has been strongly driven by warehouse solutions for major e-commerce companies. A strong potential can also be found in hospitals running their logistics with the help of professional service robots.

About 106,000 inspection and maintenance systems were sold in 2018. This accounts for 39% of total professional service robot units sold. The category of inspection and maintenance robots covers a wide range of robots from rather low-priced standard units to expensive custom solutions.

Sales of medical robots increased by 50% to 5,100 units. Medical robots account for 31% of the total sales value of the professional service robots. The total value of sales increased by 27% to USD 2.8 billion. Medical robots are the most expensive service robots with an average unit price of USD 548,000, including accessories and services. The demand for supportive robot solutions for the ageing societies in Europe and Asia also represents a considerable growth potential for medical robots.

The sales value of field robots increased by 8% to USD 1 billion, accounting for 11% of the total value of professional service robot sales. A total of 5,800 milking robots were sold in 2018 compared to 5,400 units in 2017, an increase of 8%. Sales of agricultural robots 
used e.g. for automation of crop farming and horticulture, are expected to grow strongly by an average of some 50% per year. In 2022, sales are expected to reach 2,400 units.

Exoskeletons support ergonomic working by reducing loads on the worker. Sales of powered human exoskeletons were up from 6,700 units in 2017 to 7,300 units in 2018. There is a high growth potential for this kind of robot.

Service Robots for PERSONAL and DOMESTIC USE – Market Overview

At the same time, the market for Personal Service Robots, is developing rapidly. It is projected that sales of all types of robots for personal and domestic tasks could exceed 22.1 million units (valued at USD 4.6 billion) in 2019 and 61.1 million units, with an estimated value of USD 11.5 billion, in 2022.

Vacuum and floor cleaning robots will enter more and more households in the world. It is estimated that in 2019 more than 17.6 million units of domestic robots - including autonomous lawn-mowers, pool cleaners and vacuum cleaners - will be sold. Unit sales are expected to increase by 46% on average per year so that more than 55 million units will be sold in 2022.

Service robot manufacturers for professional use by regions

European and American service robot manufacturers play an important role in the market for professional use: both regions have a market share of about 45 percent. American companies are very strong in logistic systems whereas European companies dominate in the field of medical robotics. European and Asian companies mainly produce the field robots – both with a market share of about 45 percent.