+++ IFR: Top Five Robot Trends 2026 +++ IFR: Global Robot Demand in Factories Doubles Over 10 Years +++ IFR: Service Robots See Global Growth Boom +++ IFR: Video - FACTS about ROBOTS - worldwide +++

News

President’s Report by Takayuki Ito

Mar 19, 2026 — Automation continues to gain relevance across many industries as companies seek solutions to increase productivity, strengthen supply chains and respond to structural labor shortages. As the voice of the global robotics industry, the IFR continues to provide insights into technological developments and market trends shaping the sector.

Call for Participation in IFR Robot Statistics

Support World Robotics

Mar 18, 2026 — Annual IFR surveys on industrial robots, service robots and humanoid robots are still open for data submissions.

IFR’s Women in Robotics 2026

11 Women Shaping the Future of Robotics

Mar 05, 2026 — IFR is promoting women in robotics, giving them more visibility and acknowledgment in order to inspire girls and young women to pursue a career in STEM subjects or robotics and help companies to reach gender equality and overcome shortage of staff.

Topics and Definitions

Industrial Robots

The IFR’s use of the term “industrial robot” is based on the definition of the ISO: an “automatically controlled, reprogrammable multipurpose manipulator programmable in three or more axes”

Service Robots

The International Organization for Standardization defines a “service robot” as a "robot in personal use or professional use that performs useful tasks for humans or equipment”

Robotics Research

The IFR fosters links between the robotics industry and institutes. Our members engage in an intensive exchange on new technologies and emerging robots at the International Symposium on Robotics ISR

Position Papers

Information and IFR opinion on topical issues regarding robots and automation

Case Studies

Case Studies of Industrial and Service Robots. Robots in action can be found everywhere. Robot Manufacturers give examples of robot applications in different industries

Robots and Sustainability

Which of UN's 17 Sustainability Development Goals can be met with the support of robots?

Robotization - What's in for SMEs?

Events

Services

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The IFR Newsletter - published quarterly - informs about sector relevant news - press releases, in-depth blogs, positioning papers and case studies on robot use. In addition, we inform about upcoming events, and new IFR members. Each newsletter highlights a report by the current IFR president. Please register for an automatic supply.

Contact

IFR Secretariat

The General Secretariat is responsible for the daily management of IFR and the coordination of all major activities, events and collaboration. The General Secretariat handles all questions regarding IFR membership.

Dr. Susanne Bieller

IFR General Secretary

Phone: +49 69-6603-1502
E-Mail: secretariat(at)ifr.org

Silke Lampe

Communication Manager

Phone: +49 69-6603-1697
E-Mail: secretariat(at)ifr.org

IFR Statistical Department

The Statistical Department collects and interprets market relevant data on global robot installations. It handles requests regarding IFR statistics and the World Robotics report.

Dr. Christopher Müller

Director IFR Statistical Department

Phone: +49 69-6603-1191
E-Mail: statistics(at)ifr.org

Nina Kutzbach

Project Manager Industrial Robotics

Phone: +49 69-6603-1518
E-Mail: statistics(at)ifr.org


Dr. Anne Jurkat

Project Manager Service Robotics

Phone: +49 69-6603-1479
E-Mail: statistics(at)ifr.org