-

Robotics Research: How Asia, Europe and America Invest – IFR Reports

  • “World Robotics R&D Programs” released by International Federation of Robotics

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Economies around the world are investing in robotics to support industry and society. But government research and development (R&D) programs are following different strategies. World Robotics R&D Programs 2025, published by the International Federation of Robotics, analyses official funding strategies in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

"The 4th edition of the World Robotics R&D Programs covers the latest funding developments, including updates in 2024," says Prof. Dr. Jong-Oh Park, Vice Chairman of the IFR Research Committee and member of the Executive Board. “A total of 13 countries are in the list, with Singapore and Canada being presented for the first time in this publication.”

Robotics R&D programs overview: China, Japan, Korea, EU, Germany, USA

In China, the "14th Five-Year Plan" for the development of the robotics industry runs until 2025. The program, published by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in Beijing in December 2021 focuses on promoting innovation. The aim is to make China a world leader in robotics technology and industrial development.

In Japan, the “New Robot Strategy” aims to make the country the world´s number one robot innovation hub. Key sectors remain unchanged including manufacturing, nursing and medical, and agriculture.

In Korea, the government announced the "4th Basic Plan on Intelligent Robots" in January 2024 which will run until 2028. An investment of USD 128 million (KRW 180 billion) supports the development of the robotics industry as a core industry for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Horizon Europe is the European Union’s key research and innovation framework program. The budget is set of USD 100 billion (EUR 95.5 billion) and runs until 2027. Top targets are: strengthening the EU’s scientific and technological bases, boosting Europe’s innovation capacity and competitiveness.

Robotics R&D programs managed by the United States include basic research on Intelligent Robotics and Autonomous Systems by the National Science Foundation (NSF), "Space Robotics" by the NASA and "Military Robotics and Autonomous Vehicles" by the Department of Defense (DoD).

FULL TEXT press release: https://ifr.org/ifr-press-releases/

Download

VIDEO: FACTS about ROBOTS by IFR at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JwCW1YwSkw

About IFR

www.ifr.org

Follow IFR on LinkedIn and YouTube

Contacts

Press contact

International Federation of Robotics
PRESS OFFICER
Carsten Heer
phone +49 (0) 40 822 44 284
E-Mail: press@ifr.org

International Federation of Robotics

Details
Headquarters: Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland
Website: IFR.org
CEO: Gudrun Litzenberger
Employees: 50
Organization: NON

Release Versions

Contacts

Press contact

International Federation of Robotics
PRESS OFFICER
Carsten Heer
phone +49 (0) 40 822 44 284
E-Mail: press@ifr.org

Social Media Profiles
More News From International Federation of Robotics

U.S. Now Second-Largest Robotics Market, Following China

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The United States installed 38,400 industrial robots in 2025, marking a 12% year-on-year increase. This surpassed Japan's installation figure of 36,200, making the US the second-largest market for industrial robots in the world after China. “US robot demand has rebounded very strongly: 2025 ranked as the third strongest year on record behind 2018 and 2022,” says Jane Heffner, President of the International Federation of Robotics. “Growth came from th...

European Union's Industrial Robot Stock Hits Record 700,000 Units

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The European Union (EU-27) has surpassed the milestone of having 700,000 operational industrial robots in 2025, accounting for 84% of the total number of robots in operation across Europe. This is according to the World Robotics 2026 Industrial Robots report, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). “The European Union's manufacturing sector has invested significantly in automation: From 2015 to 2025, the number of operational rob...

Five Million Robots Now Operate in Factories Globally

FRANKFURT, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The global operational stock of industrial robots surged 9% to a record 5 million units in 2025. This was driven by an 11% jump in annual installations: Factories worldwide installed more than 600,000 new units over the year. “Industrial automation is progressing at high speed,” says Jane Heffner, President of the International Federation of Robotics. “The new mark of five million robots operational in factories worldwide is more than double the number seven...
Back to Newsroom