Robotics demand surges across sectors in Q2 2026, A3 reports

Automotive component makers increased robot orders, while OEMs did not in Q2. Source: A3

While progress in artificial intelligence and humanoid robots continues to capture public and investor interest, industrial automation is still the leading segment in robotics. The Association for Advancing Automation, or A3, marked modest growth in North American orders in the Q2 of 2026.

North American companies ordered 8,940 robots valued at $622 million in Q2, the association reported. Compared with the second quarter of 2025, this represented a 4.3% increase in units ordered and a 21.3% increase in revenue. A3 noted that it based quarterly year-over-year growth rates on a consistent reporting cohort.

Second-quarter results brought first-half totals to 17,995 units valued at $1.166 billion, representing 2.0% growth in units and 6.6% growth in order value over the first half of 2025. A3 calculated its first-half comparisons from aggregate reported totals for the periods shown.

General industry continued to offset automotive slowdown

A3 said that robot orders in first half of 2026 continued a trend from the past several quarters: Robotics demand is becoming increasingly diversified across industries.

Automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) orders declined 25% compared with the first half of 2025. Orders were flat in the first quarter of 2026. However, A3 said, growth in automotive components and several general industry sectors helped offset that decline, including:

Several industries posted double-digit year-over-year gains in robot orders during the second quarter. Semiconductors, electronics, and photonics increased 38% year over year, while automotive components grew 20%.

Food and consumer goods and metals each increased 18%, as life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biomedical posted 9% growth over 2025. Non-automotive customers accounted for 56% of units ordered during the 2026 quarter, continuing the increasing adoption of robots across a variety of industries, said A3.

Cobots still an important part of the market in Q2, says A3

Force- and power-limited robot arms continued to represent a significant portion of automation investments during the first half of 2026, noted A3. Companies ordered 2,774 collaborative robots valued at $114 million, accounting for 15.4% of all robot units ordered and 9.8% of total order revenue.

In the second quarter alone, companies ordered 1,137 cobots valued at $44 million, representing 12.7% of total units and 7.1% of quarterly revenue.

Collaborative robot adoption remained particularly strong in healthcare and electronics, where cobots accounted for 43.7% and 36.5% of first-half robot orders, respectively.

Manufacturing demand drives automation investment

Despite continued uncertainty across the broader economy, manufacturers continued investing in automation during the first half of 2026. Manufacturing PMI (purchasing manager’s index) remained in expansion territory for a sixth consecutive month in June, with new orders and production continuing to grow.

Federal Reserve data also showed manufacturing output 1.1% above its year-earlier level in June.

“While the timing of large automotive OEM projects and broader economic conditions will continue to influence quarterly results, the first-half data suggests manufacturers continue to view automation as a long-term investment in competitiveness,” stated A3.

“The first half of 2026 shows how the mix of the robotics market continues to evolve,” said Alex Shikany, executive vice president at A3. “Automotive remains an important driver of demand, while we’re also seeing growth across a wider range of industries. Results were not uniform across every sector, but the breadth of growth outside automotive OEM is an important trend we’ll continue to watch.”

More about A3 and Q2 reporting

The Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Association for Advancing Automation said it is the leading global advocate for the benefits of automating. Its members include more than 1,450 manufacturers, component suppliers, systems integrators, end users, academic institutions, research groups, and consulting firms worldwide.

More detailed market breakouts and graphs for Q2 2026 are available within the A3 Vault for member companies. A3 members can also subscribe to MI+, its premium market intelligence platform, featuring forecasts, dashboards, and in-depth reporting.