Automotive part makers elevated robotic orders, whereas OEMs didn’t in Q2. Supply: A3
Whereas progress in synthetic intelligence and humanoid robots continues to seize public and investor curiosity, industrial automation continues to be the main phase in robotics. The Affiliation for Advancing Automation, or A3, marked modest development in North American orders within the Q2 of 2026.
North American firms ordered 8,940 robots valued at $622 million in Q2, the affiliation reported. In contrast with the second quarter of 2025, this represented a 4.3% enhance in models ordered and a 21.3% enhance in income. A3 famous that it based mostly quarterly year-over-year development charges on a constant reporting cohort.
Second-quarter outcomes introduced first-half totals to 17,995 models valued at $1.166 billion, representing 2.0% development in models and 6.6% development so as worth over the primary half of 2025. A3 calculated its first-half comparisons from mixture reported totals for the durations proven.
Basic trade continued to offset automotive slowdown
A3 mentioned that robotic orders in first half of 2026 continued a development from the previous a number of quarters: Robotics demand is turning into more and more diversified throughout industries.
Automotive unique tools producer (OEM) orders declined 25% in contrast with the primary half of 2025. Orders have been flat within the first quarter of 2026. Nonetheless, A3 mentioned, development in automotive parts and a number of other common trade sectors helped offset that decline, together with:
- Semiconductors, electronics, and photonics: +35% models
- Life sciences, prescription drugs, biomedical: +32% models
- Automotive parts: +24% models
- Meals and client items: +17% models
- Plastics and rubber: +6% models
- All different industries: +6% models
- Metals and metalworking: +3% models
A number of industries posted double-digit year-over-year positive factors in robotic orders throughout the second quarter. Semiconductors, electronics, and photonics elevated 38% yr over yr, whereas automotive parts grew 20%.
Meals and client items and metals every elevated 18%, as life sciences, prescription drugs, biomedical posted 9% development over 2025. Non-automotive clients accounted for 56% of models ordered throughout the 2026 quarter, persevering with the rising adoption of robots throughout quite a lot of industries, mentioned A3.
Register now and save in your cross to RoboBusiness 2026Cobots nonetheless an vital a part of the market in Q2, says A3
Power- and power-limited robotic arms continued to symbolize a good portion of automation investments throughout the first half of 2026, famous A3. Corporations ordered 2,774 collaborative robots valued at $114 million, accounting for 15.4% of all robotic models ordered and 9.8% of whole order income.
Within the second quarter alone, firms ordered 1,137 cobots valued at $44 million, representing 12.7% of whole models and seven.1% of quarterly income.
Collaborative robotic adoption remained notably robust in healthcare and electronics, the place cobots accounted for 43.7% and 36.5% of first-half robotic orders, respectively.
Manufacturing demand drives automation funding
Regardless of continued uncertainty throughout the broader economic system, producers continued investing in automation throughout the first half of 2026. Manufacturing PMI (buying supervisor’s index) remained in growth territory for a sixth consecutive month in June, with new orders and manufacturing persevering with to develop.
Federal Reserve data also showed manufacturing output 1.1% above its year-earlier degree in June.
“Whereas the timing of enormous automotive OEM initiatives and broader financial circumstances will proceed to affect quarterly outcomes, the first-half information suggests producers proceed to view automation as a long-term funding in competitiveness,” acknowledged A3.
“The primary half of 2026 reveals how the combo of the robotics market continues to evolve,” mentioned Alex Shikany, govt vp at A3. “Automotive stays an vital driver of demand, whereas we’re additionally seeing development throughout a wider vary of industries. Outcomes weren’t uniform throughout each sector, however the breadth of development exterior automotive OEM is a vital development we’ll proceed to observe.”
Extra about A3 and Q2 reporting
The Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Association for Advancing Automation mentioned it’s the main international advocate for the advantages of automating. Its members embrace greater than 1,450 producers, part suppliers, techniques integrators, finish customers, tutorial establishments, analysis teams, and consulting companies worldwide.
Extra detailed market breakouts and graphs for Q2 2026 can be found throughout the A3 Vault for member firms. A3 members also can subscribe to MI+, its premium market intelligence platform, that includes forecasts, dashboards, and in-depth reporting.
The submit Q2 2026 robotics demand elevated throughout industries, studies A3 appeared first on The Robotic Report.
