Second-quarter robot orders grew as automation demand broadens
North American companies ordered 8,940 robots valued at $622 million in the second quarter of 2026—a year-over-year unit increase of 4.3% and a revenue increase of 21.3%, according to data from the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), released today. Second-quarter results brought first-half totals to…
A3 said the results show that robotics demand is becoming increasingly diversified across industries, a trend that has been building over the past several quarters. Several industries posted double-digit year-over-year gains in robot orders during the second quarter, as well.
The story is still developing, according to DC Velocity.
What Happened
North American companies ordered 8,940 robots valued at $622 million in the second quarter of 2026—a year-over-year unit increase of 4.3% and a revenue increase of 21.3%, according to data from the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), released today.
Second-quarter results brought first-half totals to 17,995 units valued at more than $1.16 billion, representing 2.0% growth in units and 6.6% growth in order value over the first half of 2025.
Growth in general industry offset automotive OEM softness in the first half of the year, for example: Automotive OEM orders declined 25% during the first half compared to a 35% increase in semiconductors/electronics and.
Semiconductors and electronics increased 38% year-over-year in Q2, while automotive components grew 20%.
Key Details
Food and consumer goods and metals each increased 18%, and life sciences and pharmaceuticals posted 9% growth.
Non-automotive customers accounted for 56% of robot units ordered during the second quarter, continuing the trend of robots being adopted across a variety of industries, according to A3.
The report also found that collaborative robots continued to represent a significant portion of automation investment during the first half of 2026.
Companies ordered 2,774 collaborative robots valued at $114 million, accounting for 15.4% of all robot units ordered and 9.8% of total order revenue.
Why It Matters
In the second quarter alone, companies ordered 1,137 collaborative robots valued at $44 million, representing 12.7% of total units and 7.1% of quarterly revenue.
Collaborative robot adoption remained particularly strong in life sciences/pharmaceuticals and semiconductors/electronics, where collaborative robots accounted for 43.7% and 36.5% of first-half robot orders, respectively.
What Reports Say
Coverage of the story so far points to:
Continued reporting by DC Velocity as more details emerge
