Professional service robot shipments expand 24 per cent globally

Frankfurt, Germany – In 2025, shipments of professional service robots surged by 24%, reaching nearly 250,000 units, according to the World Robotics Service Robots 2026 report by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). The report, authored by Jane Heffner, President of IFR, details the expanding role of service robots in commercial operations.

Professional service robots experienced a 24% increase in sales, with medical robots growing by 19% and consumer service robots soaring by 37%. The transportation and logistics sector dominated professional service robot applications, with 117,500 units sold, accounting for 47% of the market. Hospitality robots and cleaning robots followed closely.

While humanoid robots are gaining attention for their potential flexibility, their widespread adoption remains limited due to challenges such as safety standards, high maintenance costs, and the need for intuitive programming. Despite these obstacles, medical robotics, particularly surgical robots, showed strong growth, with 8,400 units sold and a 57% increase, driven by technological advancements and improved clinical outcomes.