Robot Orders Climb as Electronics, Food Sectors Drive Growth

Diversification reshapes North American robotics market

North American manufacturers ordered 17,995 robots valued at $1.166 billion during the first half of 2026, marking a 2% increase in units and 6.6% rise in value compared to the same period in 2025, according to data from the Association for Advancing Automation (A3).

The growth reflects a fundamental shift in the robotics market's composition. Nonautomotive customers now account for 56% of all robot units ordered in the second quarter, signaling the market's reduced dependence on traditional automotive original equipment manufacturers.

Electronics and food manufacturing lead expansion

Semiconductor, electronics, and photonics manufacturers posted the strongest growth, with robot orders jumping 38% year-over-year in the second quarter. For the full first half, this sector increased orders by 35%.

Automotive component manufacturers—distinct from vehicle OEMs—increased orders 20% in Q2 and 24% for the half. Food and consumer goods manufacturers grew orders 18% in the quarter and 17% for the half, while metals producers recorded an 18% quarterly increase.

Life sciences, pharmaceutical, and biomedical companies expanded robot orders 9% in Q2 and 32% for the first half of 2026.

Automotive OEMs pull back investment

While automotive suppliers increased automation spending, orders from automotive OEMs declined 25% compared to the first half of 2025. This retreat from traditional automotive manufacturers underscores the market's evolution beyond its historical foundation.

Second-quarter results showed companies ordered 8,940 robots worth $622 million, representing a 4.3% increase in units and 21.3% jump in value year-over-year.

Collaborative robots gain traction in specialized sectors

Collaborative robots captured 15.4% of all units ordered during the first half, with manufacturers purchasing 2,774 cobots valued at $114 million. These machines, designed to work safely alongside human workers, have found particularly strong adoption in specific industries.

In life sciences, pharmaceutical, and biomedical manufacturing, cobots represented 43.7% of first-half robot orders. Semiconductor, electronics, and photonics manufacturers allocated 36.5% of their robot orders to collaborative models.

Why it matters

The robotics market's diversification reduces volatility tied to automotive industry cycles and opens growth opportunities across manufacturing sectors. For technology vendors and integrators, the shift demands expertise beyond traditional automotive applications. The strong cobot adoption in life sciences and electronics suggests these industries value flexibility and human-robot collaboration over pure speed, informing product development priorities and go-to-market strategies.

"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."

These figures were first reported by Assembly Magazine, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, citing A3 data.