New A3 data shows strong gains in life sciences, electronics, food, and collaborative robots despite cyclical Automotive OEM slowdown
ANN ARBOR, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Automate2026–North American companies ordered 9,055 robots valued at $543 million in the first quarter of 2026, according to new data released by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). Compared to the first quarter of 2025, this represents a 0.1% decrease in units ordered and a 6.4% decline in revenue1.
While unit orders were essentially flat, order revenue declined year over year, driven largely by a cyclical decline in Automotive OEM orders, which fell 35.1% in units and 48.2% in revenue compared to the same quarter last year. Given the size and timing of automotive programs, that decline had an outsized impact on the total market.
General Industry Segments Post Strong Growth
Outside of Automotive OEMs, demand across much of the robotics market remained healthy. Automotive component suppliers increased orders 28.1% in units and 15.5% in revenue compared to Q1 2025, reflecting the segment’s typical lag behind OEM ordering cycles.
Several non-automotive industries also posted strong year-over-year gains in robot orders, including:
- Life Sciences/Pharma/Biomed: +54.1% units, +70.2% revenue
- Semi & Electronics/Photonics: +31.7% units, +79.2% revenue
- Plastics & Rubber: +25.2% units, +32.6% revenue
- Food & Consumer Goods: +16.0% units, +16.3% revenue
- All Other Industries: +24.5% units, +29.2% revenue
These results point to continued diversification in automation demand as companies across industries invest in robotics to improve productivity, address workforce challenges, and strengthen operational resilience.
Collaborative Robots Show Strong Growth
Collaborative robots remained one of the strongest-performing categories in the quarter. Companies ordered 1,637 collaborative robots valued at $69.8 million in Q1 2026, representing a 55.6% increase in units and a 78.2% increase in revenue compared to Q1 2025. Collaborative robots accounted for 18.1% of all robot units ordered and 12.9% of total order revenue during the quarter.
Collaborative robot adoption was especially strong in life sciences/pharma/biomed, where they represented 60.7% of total robot orders in the sector, as well as semiconductors/electronics/photonics at 45.9% and all other industries at 29.0%.
“Collaborative robots are one example of how the robotics market continues to evolve,” said Alex Shikany, Executive Vice President at A3. “The broader takeaway from the first quarter is that automation demand is becoming more diverse in terms of industries, applications and deployment models. That is an important signal for the long-term health of the market, especially as companies continue to invest in productivity, flexibility, quality and competitiveness.”
Automation Demand Continues to Diversify
The Q1 data reinforces a broader trend that has emerged over the past several years: robotics adoption is expanding well beyond traditional automotive manufacturing. Industries including life sciences, electronics, food and consumer goods, and general manufacturing continue to increase investment in automation as they navigate labor shortages, supply chain pressures, quality requirements, and global competition.
More detailed market breakouts and graphs for Q1 2026 are available upon request for press and within the A3 Vault for member companies. For deeper insights, A3 members can subscribe to MI+, the Association’s premium market intelligence platform, featuring forecasts, dashboards, and in-depth reporting to support better decision-making.
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About Association for Advancing Automation
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) is the leading global advocate for the benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done. Members of A3 represent more than 1,450 manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, academic institutions, research groups and consulting firms that drive automation forward worldwide.
1 Based on year-over-year comparisons using a consistent reporting cohort
Contacts
Media Contacts:
Jackie Rose
Association for Advancing Automation
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Katie Schimmel
Outlook Marketing Services
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