A3 reports robot orders up 4.3% in Q2 2026 across industries

Industrial automation remains the leading segment in robotics, even as AI and humanoids draw attention. A3 reported modest growth in North American robot orders for Q2 2026.

North American companies ordered 8,940 robots valued at $622 million, a 4.3% increase in units and 21.3% increase in revenue from Q2 2025. A3 based these figures on a consistent reporting cohort.

First-half orders reached 17,995 units worth $1.166 billion, up 2.0% in units and 6.6% in order value from the first half of 2025. A3 noted that robot demand is becoming more diversified across industries, offsetting a slowdown in automotive.

Automotive OEM orders declined 25% in the first half of 2026, but growth in other sectors helped offset that. Growth sectors included semiconductors (up 35%), life sciences (up 32%), automotive components (up 24%), food and consumer goods (up 17%), plastics and rubber (up 6%), and metals (up 3%). In Q2 alone, semiconductors and electronics grew 38% year over year, automotive components grew 20%, and food and consumer goods plus metals each rose 18%; life sciences posted 9% growth.

Non-automotive customers accounted for 56% of units ordered in Q2, continuing the trend of increased adoption across industries.

Collaborative robots (cobots) remained a significant part of automation investments in the first half of 2026. A3 reported 2,774 cobot orders worth $114 million, representing 15.4% of all robot units and 9.8% of total order revenue.

In Q2 alone, companies ordered 1,137 cobots valued at $44 million, accounting for 12.7% of units and 7.1% of quarterly revenue. Cobot adoption was particularly strong in healthcare and electronics, where they made up 43.7% and 36.5% of first-half robot orders, respectively.

Despite economic uncertainty, manufacturers continued investing in automation. The manufacturing PMI stayed in expansion for a sixth consecutive month in June, with new orders and production growing. Federal Reserve data showed manufacturing output 1.1% above the prior year.

A3 stated that manufacturers view automation as a long-term investment in competitiveness. Alex Shikany, A3’s executive vice president, added that the first half of 2026 shows how the robotics market mix continues to evolve, with growth across a wider range of industries.

The Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Association for Advancing Automation is a leading advocate for automation benefits, with over 1,450 members worldwide. More detailed market data is available to members via the A3 Vault and MI+ platform.