Interact Analysis expects revenue to rise from under $5B in 2024 to $14B by 2030 despite a 12% forecast cut.
Mobile robots forecast to grow 19% annually through 2030
- Mobile robot revenue projected to reach $14 billion by 2030, reflecting 19% average annual growth
- Forecast revised down 12%, but growth remains higher than fixed automation
- China’s market share projected to decline as other regions grow faster
Mobile robots are projected to continue growing in 2026, with a 19% average annual growth rate forecast from 2024 to 2030, according to Interact Analysis. The firm projects revenue will increase from just under $5 billion in 2024 to $14 billion in 2030. It revised its May forecast downward by 12%, citing tariff uncertainty that affected investment. Even with the revision, projected growth exceeds 2.4% average annual growth rate forecast for fixed automation.
For Control Engineering subscribers, this is important news because many with fixed automation or fixed robotics expertise are being asked to learn and implement mobile robotics, often called automated guided vehicles. AGVs integrate familiar automated products such as controllers, motors, drives, motion controls, sensors, control software, safety systems, wired and wireless networks, power supplies, battery-power management systems. AGVs also serve as edge devices, connecting to nearby computing resources that help guide and optimize movements based on local and wider needs in the facility, enterprise and supply chain. (It’s also important to note that a larger mobile robot growth rate is easier because the AMR market is smaller than the fixed automation market.)
A shift from automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) is underway, with AGV revenue projected to decline from about 33% of total mobile robot revenue in 2024 to 20% in 2030.
China’s mobile robots market share is projected to decline as other regions grow faster
Interact Analysis’ latest Mobile Robots report projects China’s share of the mobile robots market will decrease from 58% in 2024 to 46% in 2030 as other regions grow faster. The firm said China drove early adoption of mobile automation through government support, e-commerce growth and a large manufacturing base, while other markets are projected to increase and China’s domestic demand is expected to level off. It also projects China’s mobile robot revenue share will fall from 36% to 27% over the period, citinglower average price per unit.
Order fulfillment robots lead shipments, while mobile forklifts gain revenue share
Order fulfillment robots are forecast to account for about 50% of shipments by 2030, supported by demand in warehouse and e-commerce applications. Mobile forklifts are projected to represent about one-third of total mobile robot revenue, while accounting for a smaller share of overall shipments.
Ash Sharma, Interact Analysis VP research – Robotics & Warehouse Automation, says, “Despite lower shipment share, forklifts – particularly AGV forklifts – generate the highest revenues due to premium pricing. By 2030, forklifts are projected to deliver roughly 33% of total mobile robot revenue, while contributing only 14% of shipments. This underscores their strategic importance and revenue potential. The forklift segment continues to attract new entrants and innovation, with vendors expanding portfolios to include forklifts as part of integrated mobile automation solutions.”
Edited by Puja Mitra, WTWH Media, for Control Engineering, from an Interact Analysis news release.
