In the evolving landscape of industry 4.0, robotics and automation are no longer optional—they are essential. ABI Research’s recent article, The Global Robotics Market Outlook, offers a compelling look at where robotics is headed over the rest of the decade—and why businesses, integrators, and OEMs should take note. ABI Research
Below, we break down the key insights from ABI Research and explore how they intersect with Automation Hub’s mission to drive operational excellence through robotic and automation solutions.
🔍 Key Takeaways from ABI Research
ABI Research outlines several prominent trends and forecasts that are reshaping the robotics landscape:
| Trend / Segment | Insight & Forecast | Strategic Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Overall market growth | The global robotics market is sized around US$50 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of ~14%, reaching approximately US$111 billion in 2030. ABI Research+1 | Strong tailwinds for robotics — this signals ample room for growth across hardware, software, and services. |
| Dominance of mobile robots | Mobile robots (including Autonomous Mobile Robots, AMRs, and AS/RS systems) will command 50–60% of total robotics revenue for much of the decade, and are forecasted to reach ~US$75 billion by 2030. ABI Research | Material handling, warehousing, and logistics applications remain the low-hanging fruit for automation adoption. |
| Cobots (Collaborative Robots) surging | Cobots are expected to grow from ~US$1.3 billion in 2024 to over US$7 billion by 2030 (~27.5% CAGR). ABI Research | The expanding use-cases and improved ease-of-use make cobots a compelling option for many mid- to small-scale operations. |
| Humanoids and exoskeletons: nascent but explosive growth | Humanoid robotics are forecasted to grow at ~137.7% CAGR (from ~US$70 million to ~US$6.5 billion). Exoskeletons are expected to grow to ~US$2.2 billion by 2030. ABI Research | These segments are in early stages, but investment and innovation are accelerating. Early movers may gain outsized advantage. |
| Software & AI integration | Robotics software is forecasted to generate ~US$24.5 billion in revenue by 2030, with functions including analytics, perception, motion control, and more. ABI Research | The most compelling value propositions will come from seamless integration between physical robots and intelligent software layers. |
| Regional shifts | China presently accounts for ~42% of industrial robot sales globally, with Asia-Pacific dominating. Over time, North America and other regions will increase their share. ABI Research | For companies in North America (including here at Automation Hub), shifting toward higher domestic or nearshore adoption could accelerate growth opportunities. |
Why This Matters to Automation Hub and Our Clients
At Automation Hub, we specialize in enabling clients across industries—manufacturing, logistics, automotive, golf (yes, golf!), healthcare, and more—to adopt robotic and automation solutions tailored to their needs. From our perspective, the ABI Research outlook reinforces several strategic imperatives:
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Focus on mobile automation first
The forecast suggests that mobile robots will carry the bulk of revenue and growth. For many businesses, automating material movement, rack-to-pick, or pallet transport is a strong entry point. We can help clients pilot these use cases with fast ROI. -
Leverage the cobot shift
Cobots are becoming increasingly accessible and versatile, especially with modern software and AI capabilities. They allow for safer human–robot collaboration, lighter capital investment, and more flexibility. We see this as a major growth opportunity for clients aiming to automate tasks without full-scale retooling. -
Integrate software deeply
Robots without smart software are limited. The integration of perception, motion planning, feedback loops, and analytics is where the biggest gains lie. As the ABI forecast emphasizes, software revenue will be a core part of the robotics expansion. Automation Hub must continue enhancing its software and system integration capabilities. -
Stay agile in emerging domains
Humanoids, exoskeletons, and specialized robotics are still early-stage markets—but they may mature faster than expected. By staying informed, investing in R&D partnerships, and maintaining flexibility, we position ourselves to move quickly when opportunities arise. -
Support domestic growth and reshoring
ABI notes that many firms are evaluating reshoring strategies, and robotics plays a key role in making domestic manufacturing competitive again. With Automation Hub based in the U.S., we can help clients lower their reliance on distant supply chains and build local resilience.
A Call to Action: What Businesses Should Do Now
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Scan your operations for material-handling bottlenecks. Identify where simple AMRs or AS/RS systems could immediately improve throughput, reduce labor costs, or improve safety.
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Pilot cobots in low-risk tasks. Work with a systems integrator (or partner with Automation Hub) to introduce a collaborative robot into a process such as inspection, pick-and-place, or machine tending.
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Build the software backbone. Even for simple robot deployments, plan for data capture, vision/perception modules, simulation testing, and control frameworks.
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Monitor nascent robotics sectors. Keep tabs on advances in humanoids, exoskeletons, and robotics software. These may unlock new business models or capabilities over time.
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Position for scaling globally. As robotics adoption rises, firms should architect their automation platforms for scalability — in both use case breadth and geographic reach.
Conclusion
The ABI Research outlook paints a vibrant, fast-growing future for robotics — one in which mobile robots and software integration lead, while newer forms like humanoids and exoskeletons hold enormous upside. ABI Research+1
For Automation Hub and our clients, the path ahead is clear: focus first on high-impact, well-understood modalities (mobile, cobots), invest in software-enablement, and remain ready for future leaps in robotics innovation. With the right roadmap, companies can ride this wave rather than be overtaken by it.
If you’d like to explore a robotic pilot or system design tailored to your operations, drop me a line — I'd be happy to share how we can put these trends to work in your environment.