U.S. robot installations rebound; food sector drives growth: IFR

Key Takeaways

• The number of industrial robot installations in the United States increased by 11% year-on-year, reaching 38,000 units in 2025.
• The food industry drove growth, with a 30% surge in robot adoption, joining the metal and machinery and electrical-electronics sectors at approximately 3,000 installations each.
• The automotive industry remains the largest adopter, with 13,500 units installed, just 1% below last year's result.
• The U.S. now ranks eighth worldwide in robot density, with 307 robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers.

Introduction to Industrial Robot Installations

The United States has seen a significant rebound in industrial robot installations, with a year-on-year increase of 11% to reach 38,000 units in 2025. This growth is largely driven by the food industry, which has experienced a 30% surge in robot adoption. The automotive industry, although still the largest adopter, has seen a slight decline of 1% compared to last year, with 13,500 units installed.

Industry Comparison

The following table compares the number of industrial robot installations in different industries in the United States:

Global Standing in Robot Density

The rise in installations has helped boost the United States' global standing in robot density, with 307 robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers. This ranks the U.S. eighth worldwide, moving up two positions from the previous year. The global leader, South Korea, has 1,220 robots per 10,000 workers, followed by Germany and Japan.

Comparison with China

In contrast, China has installed 295,000 industrial robots in 2024, more than half of global demand. The Chinese market is expected to remain significantly larger than the U.S. market, with estimated 2025 installations roughly ten times higher than those in the United States. This dominance can be attributed to China's decade-long national robotics strategy and continued government support.

Call for a National Robotics Strategy

Industry groups in the United States are pushing for a similar national approach, with the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) unveiling its "Vision for a National Robotics Strategy." This calls for the creation of a Federal Robotics Office and a National Robotics Commission to coordinate policy and research.

Bottom Line

The rebound in industrial robot installations in the United States is a positive sign for the industry, with the food sector driving growth and the automotive industry remaining a significant adopter. However, the U.S. market still lags behind China, highlighting the need for a national robotics strategy to support the development and adoption of robotics and automation technologies. With the right policies and investments in place, the United States can continue to grow its robotics industry and improve its global standing in robot density.