International Federation of Robotics 国际机器人联合会
Global non-profit robotics trade body founded 1987, publishing the World Robotics annual report and representing industrial and service robot associations.
The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) is a non-profit professional organization established in 1987 in connection with the 17th International Symposium on Industrial Robots. Headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and hosted within the VDMA (German Engineering Federation) offices, the IFR represents national robotics associations and major robot manufacturers from over 20 countries. Its primary missions include compiling and publishing the annual World Robotics statistical report — the authoritative global source for industrial and service robot installation data — promoting research and development, advocating for standards, and facilitating international cooperation.
The IFR's membership includes virtually all major industrial robot suppliers globally and 17 national associations. The General Secretary is Dr. Susanne Bieller, and the secretariat is reachable at [email protected].
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
Contact International Federation of Robotics
WEBSITE
https://ifr.orgPHONE
+49 69 6603-1697HEADQUARTERS
Germany
Company Facts
Founded
1987
Primary Role
Research Institute
Company Size
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Primary Region
Europe
Annual Sales
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Funding Stage
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Funding Total
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HowToRobot and Robotics Australia Group Collaborate to Boost Automation Adoption in Australia
HowToRobot and Robotics Australia Group have announced a partnership aimed at enhancing automation adoption in Australia. With a robot density of 134 robots per 10,000 manufacturing employees, Australia lags behind the global average of 162, according to the International Federation of Robotics. The collaboration focuses on providing AI-driven tools to help businesses articulate their automation projects more effectively. This initiative is crucial as Australian manufacturing grapples with skilled workforce shortages and the slowest productivity growth in 60 years. By leveraging HowToRobot's platform, companies can develop project descriptions that facilitate funding requests, potentially unlocking significant productivity gains. The Australian government estimates that increased automation could contribute between $170 billion and $600 billion to the GDP by 2030. Looking ahead, the partners have launched AutomationFinder.com.au, a platform designed to assist Australian businesses in identifying automation opportunities. This site will provide structured project briefs and access to a global network of over 20,000 vetted suppliers, including 500 in Australia. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Business Resources Manufacturing News Packaging & Palletizing • Pick-Place australia government
Industry Pushes Back Against Bill Gates' Proposal for Robotics and AI Taxation
Bill Gates has revived his proposal for a tax on robotics and AI, arguing it could mitigate job displacement and fund retraining programs. He emphasizes that AI will rapidly impact various sectors, including law and manufacturing, potentially leading to fewer jobs without proper policies. The idea, first introduced in 2017, has faced criticism for its economic efficiency, with South Korea being the only country to implement such a tax. The proposal has sparked significant debate within the industry, with organizations like the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) opposing the tax. They argue that taxing production tools rather than profits could hinder competitiveness and productivity, especially as manufacturers increasingly rely on robots to address labor shortages. Gates acknowledges both the benefits and risks of AI, highlighting its potential to improve lives while also raising concerns about societal impacts. As discussions continue, stakeholders are urged to consider the implications of AI and robotics on employment and economic structures. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
China's Robotics Industry Presents New Opportunities for Africa's Development
As China's humanoid robots begin to perform tasks in factories and warehouses, South African media highlights that this robotics revolution could benefit Africa. The rapid growth of China's robotics sector offers significant development opportunities for African nations in agriculture, healthcare, mining, and manufacturing. According to the International Federation of Robotics, China is expected to install approximately 295,000 new industrial robots in 2024, accounting for 54% of the global total. South African media describes China's robotics development model as a quick cycle of experimentation, cost reduction, and commercial deployment, driven by industrial demand, substantial R&D investment, and strong manufacturing capabilities. The article emphasizes that as African countries collaborate with China in robotics, moving beyond mere imports to assembly, maintenance, and training, they can cultivate new industrial capacities. This partnership could enable Africa to learn from China's long-term investments in manufacturing and innovation, creating a favorable window for collaboration as the continent seeks industrial breakthroughs.
Robotics Automation Agriculture Technology Healthcare Technology Manufacturing
Humanoid Robots Enter Factories: Will They Surpass Traditional Industrial Robots?
Humanoid robots are emerging as a new element in factory automation, capable of walking between workstations and handling components. However, traditional industrial robots still dominate the automated factory landscape, raising questions about the future of humanoid integration in manufacturing environments. The significance of this development lies in the contrasting benefits of humanoids and industrial robots. While humanoids offer flexibility, industrial robots provide proven productivity, having been established in factories for decades. In 2024, factories installed 542,000 industrial robots, contributing to a global total of approximately 4.66 million, according to the International Federation of Robotics. Looking ahead, the competition between humanoids and industrial robots will intensify as manufacturers weigh the costs and benefits of each technology. Collaborative robots are also gaining traction, representing 10.5% of industrial robot installations in 2023, which may further challenge the role of humanoids in factories. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
AI and Robotics
Service Robots Sales Surge: 34% in Cleaning and 91% in Medical Applications
In 2025, nearly 200,000 professional service robots were sold globally, marking a 9% increase. Notably, the cleaning robots segment saw a significant rise of 34%, while medical robots experienced an impressive growth of 91%. These statistics indicate a shift from experimental use to economically viable applications in sectors such as logistics, healthcare, and agriculture. The data, derived from the World Robotics 2025 – Service Robots report by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), highlights the growing maturity of service robotics in various industries. With over 199,000 units sold in 2024, the figures reveal that while some categories like hospitality robots are declining, others are rapidly advancing, particularly in logistics, which surpassed 100,000 units sold. Looking ahead, the service robotics market is expected to continue its strong growth trajectory into 2026 and beyond. The IFR's report underscores the importance of identifying sectors where automation is achieving economic viability, suggesting a promising future for service robots in diverse applications.
À la une Humanoide IA Industrie Robotique AMR
World Robot Conference 2026 Opens in Beijing Aug. 19–23, Days After Unitree's $9B IPO
WRC 2026 opens August 19 in Beijing with 300+ exhibitors, a first-ever SOE pavilion and a new Procurement Day, days after Unitree priced China's first mainland-listed humanoid robot IPO at a $9.04 billion valuation.
The Importance of Companion Mobile Apps in Robotics and Automation Systems
Companion mobile apps are becoming essential in robotics and automation, allowing operators to manage machines remotely. As the International Federation of Robotics reported 542,000 industrial robot installations in 2024, the need for efficient monitoring and maintenance alerts has surged, making these apps integral to operations. The rapid growth of robot fleets, now exceeding 4.6 million units globally, necessitates real-time telemetry and role-based access in companion apps. These applications must provide offline functionality and timely alerts to prevent operational delays, as a five-minute lag in communication can lead to significant production losses. Looking ahead, the evolution of robotics-as-a-service is transforming companion apps to support features like usage-based billing and in-app payments. This shift indicates that the role of these apps will expand beyond monitoring to include handling regulated financial data, reflecting the changing landscape of industrial automation.
Automation Robotics Software automation companion apps cybersecurity
Japanese Engineers Analyze China's YuShu G1 Humanoid Robot, Acknowledge Technological Advancements
On July 23, Japanese media Nikkei xTECH released a video documenting engineers disassembling China's YuShu G1 humanoid robot. The team examined various components, including the joint modules and battery system, revealing insights into China's rapid advancements in robotics. Japanese engineers noted the smoothness of the screws, highlighting the precision in manufacturing that is often overlooked. The G1 features a 9000mAh quick-release smart battery, providing high output power in a compact size, which impressed the engineers. They also analyzed the ankle joint structure, noting its ability to mimic human movement and adapt to different terrains, showcasing a high level of engineering excellence. The disassembly led to a significant conclusion: Japan's robotics industry faces challenges in closing the gap with China's advancements in humanoid robotics. Data from the International Federation of Robotics indicates that in 2024, China will account for 54% of new industrial robot installations globally. This stark contrast in manufacturing efficiency and technological capability raises questions about Japan's ability to compete in the humanoid robotics sector in the near future. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Humanoid Robots Robotics Technology Industrial Automation Battery Systems
The Rise of Autonomous Mobile Robots in Industrial Automation
Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are rapidly transforming industrial automation, moving beyond traditional fixed conveyors and AGVs. Their flexibility meets the evolving demands of logistics driven by e-commerce growth, product customization, and labor shortages. AMRs utilize advanced technologies like sensors, cameras, LiDAR, and AI to navigate dynamically without fixed infrastructure. This adaptability is crucial as industries face fluctuating volumes and changing processes, making AMRs a vital component of modern supply chains. According to the International Federation of Robotics, AMRs are among the fastest-growing segments in professional robotics. As deployments increase in logistics centers, fleet management software is becoming as critical as the robots themselves, indicating a shift towards integrated automated solutions.
À la une IA Industrie Robotique AMR automatisation des entrepôts
2026H2 Robotics Events Briefing: Tailored Recommendations for Robotics Readers
Discover the ultimate directory of global robotics events in 2026. Tailored briefings for engineers, investors, and founders on humanoid robots, AI, and industrial automation by RobotToday.
CORA 2026 | Conference on Robots and Automation
Explore CORA 2026, an international conference examining the economic, business, and policy impact of robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence in Kiel, Germany.
ROBOTTODAY Weekly June 30 – July 4, 2026
Unitree wins CSRC approval for China’s first humanoid IPO, Korea unveils ₩312T AI investment, RoboCup 2026 opens in Incheon, and Paris launches Europe’s inaugural Physical AI summit.
Japan Pioneered Humanoid Robots—Can It Now Catch China?
“In the future, the relationship between humans and robots will deepen, and the distinction between them will probably disappear.” This prediction, from one of the attendees at the recent Humanoids Summit in Tokyo, might have been unremarkable had it not come directly from an android that was first introduced to the world 20 years ago. Geminoid HI-6 is the sixth-generation of a robot originally designed in 2006. The mechanical twin of Osaka University professor Hiroshi Ishiguro, Geminoid HI-6 is now equipped with a large language model trained on Ishiguro’s own writings and interviews. It has advanced conversational skills and can even have a chat with its creator, an eerie spectacle. But at the Humanoids Summit, Geminoid was one of the few humanoid robots from Japan, the country that pioneered the form factor.While the event in Tokyo only had about 40 robots on display, Chinese systems outnumbered Japanese by roughly three to one. Some Japanese robotics firms were even using Chinese robots in their own technology demonstrations, something that would have been unthinkable in the recent past—one Japanese engineer described the situation as “sad.” The conference was a stark reminder of how Japan has ceded its early lead in humanoid robot development to overseas competitors, and the challenge it now faces to secure a place in an ecosystem increasingly dominated by general-purpose robots powered by AI. Twenty-five years ago, Japan was turning out groundbreaking humanoids that were showstopping in their abilities, but they were not commercialized as practical machines in any meaningful way. Heavily influenced by science fiction and lacking practical applications, they were mostly expensive technology demonstrations that were eventually mothballed. What Japan retains, however, is robotics design and know-how, which it must leverage to be a key player in the rapidly evolving humanoid ecosystem. Learning to Walk—Then Standing StillTo anyone who has seen recent videos of Chinese humanoids doing kung-fu and synchronized acrobatics, as well as half-marathon races, China’s remarkable progress in the field is nothing new. At the Humanoids Summit, Toyota showed a video of its latest basketball-playing robot, and Honda exhibited its latest robot hand, but the full-scale humanoids on the floor were mostly Chinese–the kid-size K1 machines from Booster Robotics of Beijing were dancing to Michael Jackson tunes. The full-scale G1 humanoid from Unitree Robotics of Hangzhou was also doing demos. “You cannot sell these bipedal systems in Japan for safety and compliance reasons,” says Shuichi Nagao, a frequent visitor to China as CTO of Omakase Robotics, a division of Zeals, a Japanese humanoid robot developer. Omakase was exhibiting a G1 modified with an external PC controller, a dextrous hand, a suction-cup manipulator and a sensor “hat” with an extra speaker, mic and camera. “In China, the government is pushing humanoid development. They didn’t have an industry 20 years ago. The people pushing it are young, in their 20s and 30s. It’s a really different mentality out there,” says Nagao. “Big players in Japan are still looking for use cases for humanoids. In China, they’re already doing mass production and reducing the cost, so other countries can’t compete with them anymore.”Another Japanese company showing off G1 bots was summit sponsor GMO AI & Robotics, a subsidiary of Japanese internet company GMO. It’s using the robots in partnership with Japan Airlines to load and unload cargo containers at Tokyo’s Haneda airport. The cargo project is a trial—like many other humanoid experiments—but the fact that Chinese machines have penetrated so far into Japan’s ecosystem upends a long history. In 1973, scientists at Waseda University in Tokyo built WABOT-1, considered the first full-scale humanoid robot and capable of slow bipedal locomotion, grasping objects and simple communication. It inspired Honda’s groundbreaking Asimo humanoid, but it was never commercialized. Asimo was eventually retired in 2022, the year ChatGPT was released. Two years later, Unitree’s G1 went on sale for US $16,000. China’s High Torque Technology Co. showed off its Mini Pi biped, customized with an anime-inspired head, at Humanoids Summit in Tokyo. The regular version is priced at $3,500. Tim HornyakSupply and DemandJapan’s development of humanoids happened before practical applications or widespread demand were in place, but bad timing is only part of the story—Japan also has a history of developing technologies that might appeal to domestic consumers but not necessarily those overseas. For example, decades after they first appeared, its highly engineered, multifunction toilets have only recently found a following abroad. Japan’s humanoid prowess was partly built on the back of its legendary industrial automation, yet even that stronghold has eroded. Ani Kelkar, a partner from McKinsey & Company in Boston who produces analytical reports about the robotics industry, told the summit audience that while Japan occupied the top spot in the world in manufacturing robot density (the number of multipurpose industrial robots in operation per 10,000 employees) from at least 1994 to 2009, it then slipped to second in 2014, third in 2019 and fifth in 2024. In that year, South Korea was at the top of the leaderboard with a robot density of 1,220 compared to Japan’s 446. The International Federation of Robotics estimates China now has the most operational industrial robots in the world, with around 2 million total units, approximately 4.5 times more than Japan. “The annual installation numbers are impressive too: 54 percent of all robots installed worldwide in 2024 were deployed in China,” the IFR said in a release in April 2026. “I think the loss of Japanese leadership is more to do with the rise of China as a manufacturing powerhouse including for sectors that Japan had high export levels,” Kelkar said in an email interview. “The recovery has not yet happened as Japan ‘missed’ the rapid acceleration in AI for robotics and is now playing catchup.”How Japan Can Adapt Kelkar believes Japan has a US $100 billion opportunity in general-purpose robotics, which are machines that can perform a wide variety of tasks, and it cannot rely on the slower-growing industrial robot market, which is centered on factory machines that do one simple and predictable task like welding car parts. He points to a McKinsey white paper suggesting that while Japan has much of the hardware and technology experience needed to support general purpose robot development, it must change its strategy to capture more share in AI, software, data collection and robotics platforms.Tetsuya Ogata is a professor of engineering and director of the Institute for AI and Robotics at Waseda University, the birthplace of humanoids in Japan. He briefed the summit on how a nonprofit he chairs, the AI Robot Association (AIRoA), is working with Toyota and other members to develop foundational technologies for collaborative use. For instance, AIRoA has collected some 80,000 hours of data on remote operation of mobile manipulators, and Ogata believes it’s the largest dataset of its kind. Using the data, it built and verified Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models, and it has also started data collection for dual-arm mobile manipulation. In an interview, Ogata acknowledged Japan’s struggle to find its place in the changing landscape. “The world of AI is inherently a game of scale,” says Ogata. “Therefore, Japan’s absolute prerequisite is to secure a competitive baseline of scale—in data, computing resources, and talent. Beyond that, what I consider most critical is a mindset shift: rather than trying to hoard scale within a single nation or company, we must grow stronger by collaborating with a diverse ecosystem of domestic and international players.” Specifically, this means creating a ‘collaborative domain’ to address data—the single biggest bottleneck—through industry-wide cooperation rather than data-siloing. By collectively nurturing a pre-competitive, shared data infrastructure and foundation model, individual companies can then compete on top of it with their own applications. “By offering this open ‘data ecosystem’ to the world, we can engage global players and establish a ‘third pole’ alongside the US and China,” says Ogata. “I believe this is how Japan can reclaim its global presence.”In 1999, Japan introduced the world’s first mobile internet services platform. But being first didn’t turn Japan into a smartphone manufacturing or design center—it’s now merely a supplier of parts to other countries who are leading the smartphone industry. If Japan can avoid a repeat of that experience and successfully deregulate, diversity, and commercialize its original humanoid dreams, it stands a better chance of influencing the direction of the industry and reaping billions in value. As automobiles and electronics were pillars of Japan’s industrial strategy in the last century, Japan could make humanoid robots one of its key value generators in the 21st century, an approach that would not only deliver economic benefits but give Japan greater clout in how the industry will evolve. Just like Japanese cars, electronics, and even toilets, Japanese humanoids could stand for craftsmanship and reliability. It’s a legacy that Japan can’t afford to give up.
Japan Robotics Humanoids Humanoid-robots
Jane Heffner is New President of International Federation of Robotics
Jane Heffner has been elected as the new President of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), succeeding Takayuki Ito from Fanuc Corporation. The announcement was made on February 7, 2026. Heffner, who also serves as the Global Vice President of Channel Communication at Teradyne Robotics, emphasized the importance of her new role during a statement, expressing gratitude for Ito's leadership and highlighting the pivotal moment the global robotics industry is experiencing due to advancements in artificial intelligence and automation. Joining her in leadership is Adrien Brouillard, appointed as Vice President. Brouillard, who has over 15 years of experience at Stäubli, will collaborate with Heffner to further the federation's mission amid the growing demand for automation worldwide. The IFR, founded in 1987, represents over 3,000 organizations, including manufacturers, national robotics associations, and academic institutions from more than 30 countries, positioning itself as the voice of the global robotics industry.
Automate 2026 | A3’s Jeff Burnstein on the New Geography of Robotics Adoption
RobotToday interviews A3 President Jeff Burnstein post-Automate 2026 on sector diversification, China’s 10x robot installation lead, a proposed U.S. national robotics strategy, and global cooperation through the IFR.
ROBOTTODAY Weekly, June 15 – 19, 2026
This week in robotics: Japan commits $65B to physical AI, UBTECH’s U1 humanoid companion robot nears 5,000 pre-orders, XDOF raises $70M for robot foundation model infrastructure, and Waymo recalls ~3,900 robotaxis after construction-zone failures. June 15–19, 2026.
Global Industrial Robots Market 2025: Market Sizing, Geographic Trends & Case Studies (Chapter 1)
An in-depth analysis of the global industrial robotics market for 2025 — Chapter 1 of a 9-chapter bilingual research series. Covers market sizing consensus ($17.5–22 B USD), geographic deployment landscape, four real-world case studies (Ford, Volkswagen, BYD, Toyota), and 2025–2030 installation forecasts, with bilingual English-Chinese analysis for executives and investors.
GLOBAL ROBOTICS INDUSTRY Comprehensive Sector Overview
A comprehensive global robotics industry overview for 2025, analyzing 14 key market segments — from industrial and humanoid robots to logistics AMRs, military systems, and service robots — with expert market sizing, US case studies, five-year forecasts, and bilingual English-Chinese analysis for executives and investors.
Agricultural Robotics | Dairy & Livestock Automation: Where Robots Already Lead
Dairy robots hold 37% of the global agricultural robotics market — yet US farm penetration is just 5%. This deep-dive covers the $3.2B milking robot market, ROI economics, competitive profiles of Lely, DeLaval, GEA, and Afimilk, and why EU, North America, Japan, and Israel each follow a different adoption path to 2030.
Humanoid Robot E-Stop Risk Exposed by AgiBot Incident
A humanoid robot lost control at a Haidilao restaurant in California, exposing the unresolved E-Stop paradox: for bipedal robots, cutting power may be as dangerous as doing nothing. Standards must catch up before deployment scales further.
