Mobile Cobots Market by Component (Hardware, Software, and Services) Payload Capacity (1 to 3 kg, 3 to 5 kg, 5 to 10 kg, and Above 10 Kg), Application (Assembly, Machine Tending, Quality Inspections, Process, Material Handling, and Others), and By End-use Industry (Automotive, Retail, Healthcare, Electronics & Semiconductor, Food & Beverage, Aerospace & Defense, Manufacturing, Mining & Mineral, and Others)– Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2022–2030

Market Overview

The global Mobile Cobots Market was valued at USD 656.1 million in 2021 and is predicted to reach USD 7,660.4 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 30.7% from 2022 to 2030.

Mobile cobots, also known as mobile manipulators or compound robots, are collaborative robots placed atop autonomous mobile robots. Essentially, a mobile cobot is an intelligent, portable robot that aids humans in shared workspaces by integrating the capabilities of collaborative and mobile robots. Collaborative robots primarily replace human arms & hands, while mobile robots replace human legs & feet while moving. Thus, the mobile cobots combine functions to perform tasks requiring hands and feet. They help manufacturers across industries and warehouses to enable task automation. Due to their small size, mobile cobots are appropriate for workspaces with limited space compared to industrial robots.

Mobile cobots can move autonomously across several work areas, seamlessly transitioning from one task to another and simultaneously transferring materials. To ensure maximum safety, they are equipped with cameras, lasers, & sensors that allow them to operate securely near people and other objects. The mobile cobot enables them to perform tasks consistently and adapt flexibly to new tasks.

Growing Demand for Automation Solutions Boosts the Market Growth

The increasing demand for automation solutions in various sectors, including manufacturing, electronics, and healthcare, propels the market for mobile collaborative robots. Automation solutions are increasingly needed due to the complexity of production processes, labor shortage, high labor costs, and high productivity required to compete globally with competitors.

Mobile cobots are becoming increasingly popular with manufacturers due to increasing automation levels, assembly tasks in manufacturing industries, and the continued expansion of the electronics industry, which drives market growth. Moreover, the global health crisis and increasing adoption of mobile cobots in the healthcare industry enable automation technologies, including e-prescriptions, mobile consulting, and electronic medical records are expected to boost the growth of mobile cobots.

Increasing Usage of Bin-Picking Mobile Cobots in Factories and Warehouses

Bin-picking mobile cobots is a significant development in mobile collaborative robotics. Several market players are focusing on innovating these mobile cobots due to their high accuracy in positioning products and short operating time. As a result, mobile cobots are becoming more popular among manufacturers in various industries, such as food & beverages and pharmaceuticals.

Hence, the growing use of bin-picking variants is expected to boost the growth of the mobile collaborative robots market. Moreover, increasing modernization of warehousing operations using order-picking robots for improved efficiency, reliability, and scalability propels the growth of the market.

High Setup Costs and Lack of Skilled Workforce Hinder the Market Growth

The high investment costs that distribution stores and centers must incur to build automated solutions for maximum productivity and efficiency restrict the market’s growth. Also, the initial expensive cost of cobots required for acquisition, integration, accessories, programming, and maintenance further impedes market growth. Also, the dearth of a skilled labor force in developing & undeveloped regions to deploy and maintain robotic applications, platforms & systems is another factor that restrains the growth of the market for mobile cobots.

Industry 5.0 is Expected to Create Lucrative Opportunities for the Market

Industry 5.0 denotes that both humans and machines increase industrial production efficiency. A shift from robots to cobots occurs in Industry 5.0, enabling robots to collaborate with human workers at the center of the manufacturing process. The manufacturing sector boosts its productivity due to human labor and universal robots. As a result, people and robots can collaborate effectively and productively.

The introduction of faster, smaller, and more flexible cobots has accelerated the development of Industry 5.0. It offers advanced safety features that assist humans in various production processes. New mobile cobots with a payload capacity of up to five times, grippers, tools, and intuitive programming enable new applications. The applications include packaging, heavy machine tending, tightening screws and nuts, and material handling. These factors are expected to create ample growth opportunities for key players in the mobile cobot market over the next few years.

The Asia-Pacific Market Holds the Lion’s Share of the Mobile Cobots Market

Asia-Pacific region holds the largest share of the mobile cobots market. It is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period due to the high demand for consumer goods in highly populace countries in the region, which can be fulfilled by adopting robotics in industries. Autonomous mobile and collaborative robots are widely utilized across manufacturing industries to increase the efficiency and productivity of applications such as pelletizing or depalletizing, shorting, assembling, and product handling.

Moreover, increasing labor shortages in countries such as China, Malaysia, and Singapore, have further driven the adoption of robots in the Asia-Pacific region. Furthermore, the presence of leading robotic manufacturers such as Fanuc, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, and Kawasaki Robotics in the Asia-Pacific region further boosts the market growth. For instance, in February 2022, Yaskawa launched two new collaborative robots, HC10DTP and HC20DTP, for industrial applications to work alongside humans safely.

Europe is Growing Steadily in the Mobile Cobots Market

Europe is expected to show a steady rise in the mobile cobot market owing to the high adoption of robots in Europe’s automotive and food & beverage sectors. The automotive industry is one of the largest and growing industries in Europe. Moreover, the high demand for electric vehicles in European countries has led manufacturers to increase their regional production capabilities.

Thus, the increasing use of automation and robotics in automotive manufacturing facilities has fueled the demand for industrial robots. In addition, several leading automotive manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, BMW, and Volvo Cars have invested heavily in Europe and expanded their businesses to cope with the high demand for electric vehicles.

For instance, in July 2022, Volvo Cars announced that it would build a new manufacturing plant in Europe to meet consumers’ continued demand for electric cars and tap the future growth potential. These factors would create a high demand for industrial robots in Europe, driving the growth of the mobile cobot market. Moreover, the growing government initiatives and investments encouraging the adoption of robotics and automation in various industries to improve productivity fuel the mobile cobots market growth. For instance, in December 2021, The UK government announced the use of autonomous mobile robotics in scientific research laboratory environments by earmarking new funds of USD 1.16 million to develop the technology.

Competitive Landscape

The mobile cobot industry report includes various market players such as Universal Robots, Fanuc Corporation, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, Kuka AG, Aethon, Staubli International AG, Festo, Teradyne Inc., Fetch Robotics Inc., and Precise Automation. These market players have adopted various strategies, such as product launches and partnerships across various regions, to maintain their dominance in the mobile cobot market.

For instance, in March 2022, Fanuc Corporation introduced three new models to its CRX line of collaborative robot arms, CRX-5iA, CRX-20iA/L, and CRX-25iA collaborative robots. The latest additions to its popular CRX series include the CRX-10iA and CRX-10iA/L collaborative robots. CRX cobots are designed for both small and large manufacturers to expand their capabilities and overcome labor issues.

Also, in February 2022, Yaskawa launched two new collaborative robots, HC10DTP and HC20DTP, for industrial applications. The HC10DTP and HC20DTP enable humans to work safely with robots. With the launch of collaborative robots, players are forced to innovate advanced robotics, which drives the mobile cobot market. Moreover, in August 2021, Fetch Robotics announced a partnership with Lucas Systems to enable the next generation of smart warehouses. The partnership will help optimize the collaboration between warehouse workers and robots using collaborative robots, which would fuel the demand for mobile cobots during the forecast period.

Mobile Cobots Market Key Segments

By Component

• Hardware

  • End Effector

  • Robotic Arm

  • Sensor

  • Motor

  • Others

• Software

• Services

By Payload Capacity

• 1 to 3 kg

• 3 to 5 kg

• 5 to 10 kg

• Above 10 Kg

By Application

• Assembly

• Machine Tending

• Quality Inspections

• Process

• Material Handling

• Others

By End-Use Industry

• Automotive

• Retail

• Healthcare

• Electronics & Semiconductor

• Food & Beverage

• Aerospace & Defense

• Manufacturing

• Mining & Mineral

• Others

By Geography

• North America

  • U.S.

  • Canada

  • Mexico

• Europe

  • UK

  • Germany

  • France

  • Spain

  • Italy

  • Netherlands

  • Denmark

  • Finland

  • Norway

  • Sweden

  • Russia

  • Rest of Europe

• Asia-Pacific

  • China

  • Japan

  • India

  • Australia

  • South Korea

  • Thailand

  • Singapore

  • Rest of Asia-Pacific

• RoW

  • Latin America

  • Middle East

  • Africa

Report Scope and Segmentation:

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