Rapid Growth of the Collaborative Robot Market: An Analysis of Cobot Technology Leading Manufacturing Innovation by 2025
Editor
Explosive Growth of the Cobot Market and Industrial Paradigm Shift
The collaborative robot (cobot) market is experiencing rapid global growth as of 2025, marking a new turning point in manufacturing automation. According to the latest report by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the global cobot market size grew from $1.5 billion in 2024 to $1.8 billion in 2025, a 20% increase, and is projected to reach $3.5 billion by 2028 with an average annual growth rate of 22.4%. This growth significantly surpasses the existing industrial robot market’s average annual growth rate of 7-8%, indicating that cobots are becoming mainstream automation solutions beyond a mere niche market.
Particularly noteworthy is the change in the distribution of companies adopting cobots by size. Until 2023, 70% of cobot adoption was centered around large enterprises, but as of 2025, the adoption rate among small and medium-sized enterprises has increased to 45%. According to the latest market survey by Universal Robots, based in Odense, Denmark, the adoption rate of cobots in manufacturing companies with 50-200 employees increased by 35% compared to the previous year. This shift is attributed to improved price competitiveness of cobots, reduced installation complexity, and shortened return on investment (ROI) periods. Currently, the average ROI period for cobots is 14 months, significantly shorter than the 24 months for traditional industrial robots.
In the Korean market, cobot adoption is also accelerating. According to a survey conducted by the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement in the first half of 2025, the adoption rate of cobots among domestic manufacturers increased by 28% year-on-year, reaching 12.3%. Notably, there is significant growth in the automotive parts, electronics, and precision machinery sectors, led by small and medium-sized manufacturers in Gyeonggi Province and the Chungcheong region. Hyundai Robotics reported a 42% increase in cobot sales in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, with sales to domestic small and medium-sized enterprises accounting for 60% of total cobot sales.
From a technological perspective, the most significant change in the cobot market in 2025 is the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. The latest cobots are equipped with computer vision, natural language processing, and adaptive learning algorithms, enabling them to perform complex assembly, quality inspection, and even creative tasks beyond simple repetitive work. ABB’s YuMi series, based in Zurich, Switzerland, showcased the ability to learn new tasks within 24 hours through a 2025 update that added real-time learning capabilities, a revolutionary improvement compared to the previous requirement of several weeks of programming.
Technological Competition and Market Share Changes Among Key Companies
The competitive landscape of the global cobot market is becoming increasingly intense as of 2025. Universal Robots, the market leader, maintains a 34% market share, but Asian companies are rapidly catching up. China’s AUBO Robotics holds 15%, Osaka-based Omron in Japan holds 12%, and Korea’s Doosan Robotics has entered the top ranks with an 8% market share. Notably, Doosan Robotics expanded its market share from 5% in 2023 to 8% through aggressive overseas expansion following its listing on KOSDAQ in 2024.
In terms of technological differentiation, each company employs different strategies. Universal Robots emphasizes its user-friendly programming interface and extensive ecosystem, supporting over 600 third-party accessories. In contrast, KUKA, based in Augsburg, Germany, excels in the automotive and aerospace sectors with its LBR series specialized for high-precision tasks. KUKA’s LBR Med is the only product approved as a medical cobot, gaining attention in the medical robot market in 2025.
Asian companies are also noteworthy for their technological innovations. Techman Robot, based in Taipei, Taiwan, differentiates itself with its TM series, which features a standard built-in vision system. The newly launched TM25 model in 2025 supports a 25kg payload while offering a 30% lower price compared to previous models. Hyundai Robotics is gaining strength in the Korean market with its self-developed HRX series, receiving high praise from semiconductor and display manufacturers. The HRX-7 from Hyundai Robotics achieves a repeat precision of 0.03mm, securing a competitive edge in precision assembly tasks.
Significant changes are also occurring in terms of price competitiveness. As of 2025, the average price of a 6-axis cobot is $35,000, a 15% decrease compared to 2023. The aggressive pricing strategies of Chinese companies are a major factor, with AUBO Robotics’ i5 model selling for $25,000, driving the market. In response, leading companies are also launching budget models. Universal Robots announced plans to release the UR3e Light, a successor to the UR3e, in the second half of 2025 for $28,000.
The most notable area in the technological innovation competition is force control and safety technology. The latest cobots implement more sophisticated force control while complying with ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066 safety standards. ABB’s GoFa series reduced the risk of collision with workers by over 99.9% through its new SafeMove technology, while simultaneously improving work efficiency by 20%. Omron’s TM cobot, based in Kyoto, Japan, implements real-time safety monitoring in conjunction with its proprietary FH series vision sensors.
Expansion of Industry Applications and Future Outlook
The scope of industry applications for cobots has significantly expanded as of 2025. Beyond the traditionally strong automotive industry (32% of the total cobot market) and electronics manufacturing (28%), cobots are spreading to various fields such as food processing (12%), medical devices (8%), and logistics (7%). Notably, the food processing sector has grown by 45% compared to 2024, related to increased demands for hygiene and safety following COVID-19.
The use of cobots in the medical field is also showing remarkable growth. Cobots are being utilized in areas such as surgical assistance, rehabilitation therapy, and drug dispensing, with the market size expected to reach $500 million by 2025. KUKA’s LBR Med, based in Munich, Germany, has received medical device approval in Europe and the United States and is being used in operating rooms, receiving high marks for precision and safety. In Korea, minimally invasive surgeries using cobots are being trialed at Seoul National University Hospital and Samsung Seoul Hospital.
The role of cobots is also expanding in logistics and warehouse automation. At Amazon’s Fulfillment Centers, cobots are handling picking and packing tasks alongside existing AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), with a reported 30% improvement in work efficiency. Domestically, Coupang and Naver Shopping are expanding logistics automation using cobots, showing high effectiveness, particularly in handling heavy loads and repetitive packaging tasks.
In terms of investment and funding, the cobot market is showing active movement in 2025. Investments related to cobots by venture capital and private equity recorded $2.3 billion in the first half of 2025, an 18% increase compared to the same period last year. Investments are particularly concentrated on AI-based cobot technology and cloud-connected solutions. Doosan Robotics announced plans to utilize a 15 billion won Series C investment secured in the third quarter of 2025 for overseas expansion and R&D enhancement.
However, despite the rapid growth of the cobot market, several challenges remain. The biggest issue is the shortage of skilled robot engineers and operational personnel. According to a survey by the Korea Association of Robot Industry, 67% of domestic companies adopting cobots cited a lack of operational personnel as a major challenge. To address this, the government plans to expand the ‘K-Robot Academy’ program from the second half of 2025 to train 2,000 cobot specialists annually.
Technical limitations also persist. Currently, the working speed of cobots remains at 60-70% of traditional industrial robots, with restrictions still present in areas requiring high-speed operations. Additionally, complex assembly tasks or handling irregularly shaped objects often require human intervention. To overcome these limitations, major companies are focusing on investing in AI and machine learning technology development, with significantly improved performance expected by around 2026.
From a future outlook perspective, the cobot market is expected to continue its growth trajectory beyond 2025. McKinsey & Company’s latest report projects the global cobot market to grow at an average annual rate of 19% to reach $8.5 billion by 2030. The advancement of 5G and edge computing technologies is expected to expand cloud-based cobot services, further lowering the barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises to adopt cobots. The Korean market is also expected to grow at an average annual rate of 25% to form a 1 trillion won market by 2030, driven by the government’s ‘Robot Industry Promotion Policy’ and manufacturing innovation policies. This growth trend demonstrates that cobots are becoming a key technology driving the digital transformation of manufacturing beyond being a mere automation tool.
*This analysis is intended for general informational purposes and should not be interpreted as advice for investment decisions. It is recommended to consult with an expert before investing.*
