Collaborative robots and the automotive sector performed well in the first half of 2025, according to the Association for Advancing Automation. Source: A3
After a slow 2024, the North American robotics industry has improved in the first half of 2025, according to the Association for Advancing Automation, or A3.
The Ann Arbor, Mich.-based organization said that North American robot orders increased by 4.3%, and revenue rose 7.5% compared to the first half of 2024. It called that “a promising sign for continued automation investment amid a complex economic landscape.”
Cost pressures, tariff concerns, and other geopolitical and economic challenges had slowed robotics sales last year, but the first quarter of 2025 showed improvement, with flat sales from the previous quarter but a 0.4% increase in units ordered and a 15% rise in order value in comparison with Q1 2024.
Automotive leads 2025 North American gains
North American companies ordered 17,635 robots valued at $1.094 billion in the first six months of 2025, according to A3. Automotive OEMS led industry growth, with a 34% year-over-year increase in units ordered.
At the same time, the non-automotive sector took the lead over automotive in Q2, accounting for 56% of total units ordered. A3 said this reflects the expanding role of automation in industries such as life sciences, electronics, and other non-automotive manufacturing sectors.
Other top-performing segments included plastics and rubber at +9% and life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical at +8%. A3 said this reflects broader trends like reshoring, labor shortages, and the push for greater operational efficiency.
The automotive industry led in robotics orders in the first half of 2025. Source: A3
Life sciences and electronics drive Q2 growth
In Q2 alone, companies ordered 8,571 robots worth $513 million, marking a 9% increase in units over Q2 2024. Life sciences/pharma/biomed posted the strongest sector growth in the quarter at +22%, followed by semiconductors, electronics, and photonics at +18%, as well as steady gains in plastics, automotive components, and general industry.
“The continued growth in robot orders underscores what we’ve been hearing from our members: automation is now central to long-term business strategy,” stated Alex Shikany, executive vice president at A3. “It’s not just about efficiency anymore. It’s about building resilience, improving flexibility, and staying competitive in a rapidly changing global market.”
“If these patterns hold, the North American robotics market could outperform 2024 levels by mid-single digit growth rates by the end of the year,” he said.
Non-automotive robot orders surpassed automotive ones in the second quarter of 2025. Source: A3
Cobot share of North American robotics grows
A3 reported that collaborative robot arms accounted for a growing share of the market, with 3,085 units ordered in the first half of 2025, valued at $114 million. In Q2 alone, cobots made up 23.7% of all units and 14.7% of revenue.
These systems are designed to work safely alongside humans and address automation needs in space- or labor-constrained environments. A3 began tracking cobots as a distinct category in Q1 2025 and said it plans to expand future reporting to include growth trends by sector.
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A3 claimed that it is the leading global advocate for the benefits of automation. Its membership includes 1,380 manufacturers, component suppliers, systems integrators, end users, academic institutions, research groups, and consulting firms.
The organization hosts a number of industry-leading events, including the Humanoid Robot Forum on Sept. 23 in Seattle, FOCUS: Intelligent Vision & Industrial AI Conference on Sept. 24 and 25 in Seattle, the International Robot Safety Conference on Nov. 3 to 5 in Houston, the A3 Business Forum on Jan. 19 to 21, 2026 in Orlando, and Automate on June 22 to 25 in Chicago.
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