The North American robotics market has long served as a bellwether for global automation trends, and the data emerging from the first three quarters of 2025 offers a nuanced picture of an industry finding its footing after a challenging 2024. The Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based industry group that tracks robot orders across the continent, has released a series of quarterly reports that together paint a story of steady recovery, shifting sectoral demand, and a notable rise in the prominence of collaborative robot arms.
According to the source material, the first half of 2025 saw North American companies order 17,635 robots valued at $1.094 billion. This represented a 4.3% increase in units and a 7.5% rise in revenue compared to the first half of 2024. A3 characterized this as “a promising sign for continued automation investment amid a complex economic landscape.” The language is measured, but the underlying signal is clear: after a slow 2024, the industry has stabilized and begun to grow again, albeit at a modest pace.
The first quarter of 2025 set the tone. Companies purchased 9,064 units valued at $580.7 million, representing a 0.4% increase in units and a 15% rise in order value compared to Q1 2024. The significant gap between unit growth and revenue growth suggests that while volumes were nearly flat, manufacturers were investing in higher-value automation systems. This is a pattern worth noting for anyone tracking the industry: the mix of robots being ordered is shifting toward more expensive, presumably more capable, machines.
The second quarter continued this trajectory, with the cumulative first-half figures showing steady demand. By the end of September 2025, the year-to-date totals had grown to 26,441 robots valued at $1.7 billion. This represented a 6.6% increase in units and a 10.6% increase in revenue compared to the same period in 2024. The third quarter alone saw 8,806 robots ordered, valued at $574 million, an 11.6% increase in units and a 17.2% rise in revenue compared to Q3 2024.
One of the most significant developments in this reporting period is the inclusion of collaborative robot (cobot) statistics in A3’s official quarterly data for the first time. This is described in the source material as a landmark moment for industry transparency, representing the first industry-wide dataset of its kind in North America. For an industry that has long debated the true size of the cobot market, this official tracking provides a concrete baseline.
Key findings
The data from A3 reveals several distinct trends that merit close examination.
**Automotive OEMs lead growth.** The most striking sectoral finding is the performance of automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). In the first half of 2025, automotive OEMs led industry growth with a 34% year-over-year increase in units ordered. This is a substantial rebound and suggests that the automotive sector, which has been through significant upheaval in recent years with supply chain disruptions and the transition to electric vehicles, is once again investing heavily in automation. Alex Shikany, Executive Vice President at A3, noted in the source material that “the first quarter data highlights a continued resilience in automation investment, particularly in the automotive sector, even as manufacturers navigate a complex macroeconomic environment.” The 34% figure is particularly notable because it comes after a period when automotive orders had been relatively subdued.
**Non-automotive sectors take the lead.** While automotive OEMs showed the strongest growth, the non-automotive sector as a whole accounted for 56% of total units ordered in Q2 2025. This marks a significant shift in the composition of demand. A3 attributes this to the expanding role of automation in industries such as life sciences, electronics, and other non-automotive manufacturing sectors. The fact that non-automotive applications now represent the majority of unit orders suggests that the robotics industry is diversifying its customer base beyond its traditional automotive stronghold. This is a structural change that has been anticipated for years, and the Q2 data suggests it is now firmly established.
**Collaborative robots gain market share.** The new cobot data provides a clear picture of this segment’s growth. In Q1 2025, North American companies ordered 1,052 collaborative robots valued at $39.2 million. Cobots accounted for 11.6% of all robots ordered and 6.8% of total revenue in that quarter. The figures grew substantially over the following months. In the first half of 2025, cobot orders reached 3,085 units valued at $114 million. By the end of Q2, cobots made up 23.7% of all units and 14.7% of revenue in that quarter alone. Across the first nine months of 2025, cobot orders reached 4,259 units valued at $156 million, representing 16.1% of units and 9.4% of total revenue.
The trajectory is clear: cobots are taking an increasingly large share of the overall robot market. The jump from 11.6% of units in Q1 to 23.7% in Q2 is substantial, though it is worth noting that quarterly figures can be volatile. The nine-month average of 16.1% of units provides a more stable picture. A3 has stated that it plans to expand future reporting on these robots to include growth rates and sector-specific trends, which will provide even greater insight into this segment.
**Revenue growth outpaces unit growth.** Across all reporting periods, revenue growth has consistently exceeded unit growth. In Q1, units grew 0.4% while revenue grew 15%. In the first half, units grew 4.3% while revenue grew 7.5%. In the first nine months, units grew 6.6% while revenue grew 10.6%. This consistent pattern indicates that the average price of robots being ordered is rising. This could reflect a shift toward higher-specification systems, more capable robots with greater payloads or reach, or simply price increases from manufacturers. The source material does not specify the reasons, but the trend is clear.
**Cautious sectors amid economic uncertainty.** While the overall picture is one of growth, the source material also notes that some sectors are taking a more cautious approach. Shikany’s comment about sectors being cautious “as broader economic uncertainty persists” suggests that the recovery is not uniform across all industries. The source material does not specify which sectors are being cautious, but the implication is that while automotive and some non-automotive sectors are investing, others are holding back.
**Q3 acceleration.** The third quarter of 2025 showed a notable acceleration in orders. The 11.6% increase in units and 17.2% increase in revenue compared to Q3 2024 were both stronger than the year-to-date averages. This suggests that momentum is building as the year progresses. The source material does not provide a specific explanation for this acceleration, but it indicates that the industry’s recovery gained strength in the latter part of the year.
What it means for European operators
For European robotics integrators, manufacturers, and end users, the North American data offers several important signals.
**The automotive rebound is real.** The 34% year-over-year increase in automotive OEM orders in North America is a significant indicator. European automotive manufacturers and their suppliers often follow similar investment cycles, and this North American data suggests that the automation investment pause that followed the supply chain disruptions of recent years is ending. European operators supplying the automotive sector should prepare for potential increased demand, and those in the robotics industry should consider whether similar patterns are likely to emerge in the European market. The source material does not provide European data, so direct comparisons are not possible, but the North American trend is a useful leading indicator.
**Non-automotive diversification is a structural shift.** The fact that non-automotive sectors now account for 56% of units ordered in Q2 is a reminder that the robotics market is no longer primarily an automotive story. European operators who have focused their offerings on automotive applications may need to consider whether their product portfolios and sales strategies are adequately positioned for life sciences, electronics, and other manufacturing sectors. The source material does not break down the non-automotive figures further, so the exact split between life sciences, electronics, and other sectors is not disclosed. However, the overall trend is clear and likely mirrors patterns that are also emerging in Europe.
**Cobot adoption is accelerating.** The official tracking of cobot statistics by A3 is a significant development for the industry. The fact that cobots represented 16.1% of units and 9.4% of revenue across the first nine months of 2025 provides a concrete baseline that was previously unavailable. For European operators, this data point is useful for benchmarking their own cobot strategies. The growth in cobot share from Q1 to Q2 suggests that adoption is accelerating, and the planned expansion of A3’s reporting to include growth rates and sector-specific trends will provide even more useful data in the future. European operators should monitor these developments closely, as they may indicate broader global trends.
**Pricing power and value shifts.** The consistent pattern of revenue growth outpacing unit growth suggests that the market is moving toward higher-value systems. For European operators, this could mean several things. If they are robot manufacturers, it may indicate an opportunity to push higher-specification products. If they are integrators, it may mean that end users are willing to invest more in capable systems. If they are end users, it suggests that the total cost of automation is rising, which has implications for return-on-investment calculations. The source material does not provide details on why prices are rising, so European operators should investigate this trend further with their own suppliers and customers.
**Economic uncertainty remains a factor.** The source material’s references to a “complex economic landscape” and sectors taking a “more cautious approach” are reminders that the recovery is not without risks. European operators should not assume that the North American growth trajectory will automatically translate to their markets. The macroeconomic environment in Europe differs from that in North America, and the source material does not provide any European data. Operators should treat the North American figures as one data point among many when making their own investment and sales decisions.
**Data transparency is improving.** A3’s decision to begin reporting cobot statistics as part of its official quarterly data is a positive development for the industry as a whole. The source material describes this as a landmark moment for industry transparency. For European operators, this raises the question of whether similar data will become available for the European market. The source material does not address this, but the trend toward greater transparency in North America may put pressure on other industry associations to follow suit. More data, and more granular data, benefits everyone in the industry by enabling better-informed decisions.
**Year-to-date momentum.** The acceleration in Q3 orders, with an 11.6% increase in units and a 17.2% increase in revenue, suggests that the industry is gaining momentum as the year progresses. For European operators, this could indicate that the global robotics market is entering a more robust growth phase. However, the source material does not provide any forward-looking guidance, so it is not possible to say whether this momentum will continue into 2026.
**What is not disclosed.** It is important to note what the source material does not say. It does not provide a breakdown of orders by specific non-automotive sectors beyond mentioning life sciences and electronics as examples. It does not specify which sectors are being cautious. It does not provide data on robot orders by region within North America. It does not provide any European or global data. It does not explain the reasons for the price increases implied by the revenue growth. It does not provide any forecasts or forward-looking statements. European operators should be aware of these gaps and seek additional data from other sources to fill them.
**Practical implications.** For European operators planning their strategies for the coming quarters, the North American data suggests several actionable takeaways. First, the automotive sector may be poised for increased automation investment, and European suppliers to that sector should be prepared. Second, the diversification into non-automotive sectors is real and likely to continue, so offerings tailored to life sciences, electronics, and other manufacturing industries may find growing demand. Third, cobots are becoming a more significant part of the market, and European operators should ensure their cobot offerings are competitive. Fourth, the trend toward higher-value systems suggests that quality and capability matter more than ever. Finally, the overall picture is one of cautious optimism, with growth occurring but not at a pace that suggests a boom.
The North American robotics market in 2025 is demonstrating resilience and gradual growth. The data from A3 provides a clear, if incomplete, picture of an industry that is diversifying its customer base, embracing collaborative robots, and investing in higher-value systems. For European operators, these trends are worth monitoring closely, even as they recognize that the European market may follow its own trajectory.
Sources
North American robot orders steady in the first half of 2025, reports A3
Published by Vigla Media OÜ (Estonia).