Robot End Effector Market Size, Share, Statistics and Industry Growth Analysis Report by Type (Grippers, Welding Guns, Tool Changer, Clamps, Suction Cups, Deburring, Soldering, Milling, & Painting Tools), Robot Type (Traditional, Collaborative), Application, Industry & Region - Global Growth Driver and Industry Forecast to 2028
Updated on : June 11, 2024
Market Size and Forecast
The global robot end effector market size is expected to grow from USD 2.3 billion in 2023 to USD 4.3 billion by 2028, registering a CAGR of 13.5%.
Growing demand for modular end effectors, increasing adoption of cobots, penetration of automation in SMEs, and increasing adoption in the warehousing, pharmaceutical, and food industry are the main drivers for the growth of the robot end effector market.
Robot End Effector Market Forecast to 2028
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The robot end-effector market will grow significantly due to its various applications in several industries, such as automotive, electrical & electronics, food & beverage, and pharmaceutical. Various key players in the market adopt different strategies such as acquisitions, product launches, collaborations, and partnerships to grow in the robot end effector market.
Robot End Effector Market Trends and Analysis
The Robot End Effector Market is poised for significant growth driven by the escalating demand for automation across industries worldwide. Factors such as increasing labor costs, stringent quality standards, and the need for higher productivity are fueling the adoption of robotic systems equipped with advanced end effectors. Additionally, technological advancements, such as the integration of sensors and artificial intelligence, are enhancing the capabilities and efficiency of end effectors, further driving market expansion. With the continuous evolution of manufacturing processes and the emergence of new applications in sectors such as automotive, electronics, healthcare, and logistics, the Robot End Effector Market is anticipated to experience robust growth in the coming years.
Robot End Effector Market Dynamics
Driver: Increasing demand for modular end effectors by various industries.
Due to the fast-changing nature of industries, the demand for modular end effectors is increasing. This scenario is observed in the consumer goods industry, specifically packaging, where the shape, size, surface, or weight of the packaging is constantly changing. This shortens the life cycle of an end effector to 1 to 2 years and thereby increases the cost of replacement for the company. Modular end effectors have the capability to accommodate and handle a large variety of objects as required. A modular vacuum bar from Schmalz (Germany) can perfectly seal and lift objects regardless of their size; Zimmer Group (Germany) and Schunk (Germany) introduced a modular gripping system – MATCH with an unlimited range of uses from production and assembly to warehouse logistics, shipping, and even laboratory automation. This modularity ensures that the grippers do not have to be changed from time to time, thereby reducing the cost of redesigning and downtime associated with its change and replacement. Modularity can be seen in other forms as well, where the end effector components such as mounts and accessories can be quickly swapped without drilling or welding. Destaco (US), for instance, offers their Bodybuilder end effector solution that allows modification to the end effector within minutes, keeping downtime to a minimum, and ensures that the alignment stays the same before and after the changes are made; Schunk (Germany) and Doosan Robotics (South Korea) introduced modular plug-and-work systems for cobots, which can quickly change jaw systems, pallet systems for milling machines, and gripping systems for robotics. Electrical finger grippers have the capability to be programmed precisely to handle objects of different sizes as well as tweak the clamping force accordingly, which provides modularity. The gripper system can be programmed easily and is modular by nature.
Restraint: High cost of deployment, especially for SMEs.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) differ from large-scale industries such as automotive or electronics manufacturing in various ways. SMEs typically have a low threshold for capital expenditure, a low-risk appetite, and limited time to generate returns on their investment. Additionally, their applications are often specific and on a case-by-case basis. For instance, Saint-Gobain, a glass manufacturing company in France, required automation of its glass polishing process that was previously carried out manually. Robotiq successfully automated the process by programming its torque sensor to replicate the hand movements and pressure applied by a human. Unlike large industries, many SMEs have not built their infrastructure around deploying robots, and must often integrate them into their existing floor space at a later stage. Since the growth of end effector in SME applications is slowly outpacing the growth in the automotive sector, companies have started taking certain initiatives, such as Universal Robots (Denmark) and Robotiq (Canada), are now making use of advertising campaigns showcasing different use-cases and estimating payback period. Zimmer Group (Germany) has set up a division known as the Know-How Factory to solve challenging implementations of end effector and robot systems, reducing the hassle of integration for their client. However, industrial robots and automation still remain a cost-prohibitive investment for most SMEs.
Opportunity: Advancement in robotics has surged the demand for soft grippers.
Advances in soft robotics, coupled with the increasing need to handle delicate items, have enabled rapid progress in soft grippers. Unlike traditional grippers that are made of rigid materials, these end effectors are fabricated from soft and flexible components. Earlier, most end effectors were able to only manipulate objects of fixed size and shape. However, industry requirements are slowly shifting toward the use of components that can grasp and manipulate a large variety of objects. Due to the material softness of the gripper arms, they can be used for sensitive applications such as in the food & beverage or glass manufacturing industries that can handle objects without damaging them. Fruits or vegetables have varying sizes, making soft grippers ideal due to their consistent clamping force irrespective of slight differences in size and shape. Soft grippers are mainly adopted by the food & beverage industry, one of the fastest-growing clients for soft grippers. Hence, the high penetration rate of automation in the food & beverage industry is expected to stimulate the adoption of soft grippers in the next 4 to 5 years.
Challenge: Interoperability and integration issues related to end effectors with existing facilities.
Interoperability is a very important function in any factory or manufacturing unit. There must exist a modular framework for both hardware and software to connect and coordinate various end effector systems. The focus is not only on the software side, which is used for programming, diagnosing, and monitoring but also the interchangeability of hardware between the end effector and robot arm. There have been cases in the robot end effector industry where a client has bought a robot arm and an end effector separately that were not fully compatible with each other, and the setup was a huge challenge from the onset.
Robot End Effector Market Ecosystem
Component suppliers and system integrators have witnessed a decline in production activities. Consequently, OEMs have faced a shortage of essential components. The figure below shows the robot end effector ecosystem linked with industrial robots.
By Application, Handling Segment to be the largest for end effectors throughout the forecast period.
The technology trends in end effectors for handling applications fueled the market for handling applications. The smart grippers can measure, identify, and monitor the target object in real time while handling them, whereas the 3D-oriented grippers can handle workpieces in harsh environments amid their constructions and anti-corrosion properties. The continuous developments in dexterous robotic hands (human hand-shaped robotic hand with 3/4-fingers and thumb design provides a degree of freedom for better handling) further drive the end effector market for handling applications.
By Industry, Food & beverage industry is expected to register highest CAGR during the forecast period.
The growth of processed and packaged foods in developing countries presents a huge opportunity for the growth of end effectors. The food & beverage industry requires end effectors mainly for handling applications as the end products are edibles, and they need a precise system for handling the workpieces that are delicate and prone to spillage and damage very easily. Increased automation and the introduction of soft grippers and human-robot collaborative (HRC) grippers in developing countries also contribute to the projected growth. Increased automation across various stages of the supply chain in the food & beverage industry is contributing to the high growth.
Robot End Effector Market by Region
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By Region, Asia Pacific to grow at highest CAGR during the forecast period.
The robot end effector market in Asia Pacific has witnessed greater growth in the past 10 years than the fully grown markets in Europe and the Americas due to low production costs, easy access to affordable labor, lenient emission and safety norms, and government initiatives for foreign direct investments (FDIs).
Robot End Effector Companies - Key Market Players
The robot end effector companies have implemented various organic and inorganic growth strategies, such as product launches, collaborations, partnerships, and acquisitions, to strengthen their offerings in the market. The major players in the market are Schunk (Germany), Schmalz (Germany), Zimmer Group (Germany), Tünkers (Germany),cDestaco (US), Festo (Germany), ABB (Switzerland), ATI Industrial Automation (US), Piab AB (Sweden), and Robotiq (Canada).
The study includes an in-depth competitive analysis of these key players in the robot end effector market with their company profiles, recent developments, and key market strategies.
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Report Metric |
Details |
| Estimated Market Size | USD 2.3 Billion |
| Projected Market Size | USD 4.3 Billion |
| Growth Rate | 13.5% |
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Years Considered |
2019–2028 |
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Base Year Considered |
2022 |
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Forecast Period |
2023–2028 |
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Forecast Units |
Value (USD Million/Billion) |
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Segments Covered |
Type, Robot Type, Application, Industry, and Region |
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Regions Covered |
North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World |
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Companies Covered |
Schunk (Germany), Schmalz (Germany), Zimmer Group (Germany), Tünkers (Germany), and Destaco (US) |
Robot End Effector Market Highlights
This report has segmented the overall robot end effector market based on type, robot type, application, industry, and region.
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Segment |
Subsegment |
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By Type |
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By Robot Type |
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By Application |
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By Industry |
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By Region |
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Recent Developments:
- In October 2022, ABB (Switzerland) acquired Codian Robotics B.V. (Netherlands), which provided delta robots used for high-precision pick and place applications. With this acquisition, ABB is accelerating its engagement in the growing field of delta robots.
- In August 2022, Piab AB (Sweden) and AVAC Vakuumteknik AB (Sweden) strengthened their position as leading automation companies. AVAC complements Paib with a solid portfolio of products and solutions covering a wide range of applications and a highly skilled and experienced team, as well as many new customers to Piab.
- In November 2022, Schunk (Germany) developed an intelligent EGK gripper for small components for handling delegates and fragile workpieces. EGK offers maximum process safety in the handling process, ensuring a constant gripping force over the entire finger length and allowing permanent re-gripping.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What will be the robot end effector market size in 2023?
The robot end effector market is expected to be valued at USD 2.3 billion in 2023.
What CAGR will be recorded for the robot end effector market from 2023 to 2028?
The global robot end effector market is expected to record a CAGR of 13.5% from 2023–2028.
Who are the top players in the robot end effector market?
The major vendors operating in the robot end effector market include Schunk (Germany), Schmalz (Germany), Zimmer Group (Germany), Tünkers (Germany), and Destaco (US).
Which major countries are considered in the North American region?
The report includes an analysis of the US, Canada, Mexico, and the rest of North America.
Which robot type has been considered under the robot end effector market?
Traditional industrial and collaborative industrial robots are considered in the market study.
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The study involves four major activities for estimating the size of the robot end effector market. Exhaustive secondary research has been conducted to collect information related to the market. The next step is to validate these findings and assumptions related to the market size with industry experts across the value chain through primary research. Both top-down and bottom-up approaches have been employed to estimate the overall size of the robot end effector market. After that, market breakdown and data triangulation procedures were used to determine the extent of different segments and subsegments of the market.
Secondary Research
Secondary sources referred to for this research study included corporate filings (such as annual reports, investor presentations, and financial statements); trade, business, and professional associations; white papers; certified publications; articles by recognized authors; directories; and databases. The secondary data has been collected and analyzed to arrive at the overall market size, which has been further validated through primary research.
Primary Research
Extensive primary research has been conducted after gaining knowledge about the current scenario of the robot end-effector market through secondary research. Several primary interviews have been conducted with experts from the demand and supply sides across four major regions—Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and RoW. This primary data has been collected through questionnaires, emails, and telephonic interviews.
To know about the assumptions considered for the study, download the pdf brochure
Market Size Estimation
In the complete market engineering process, both top-down and bottom-up approaches have been implemented, along with several data triangulation methods, to estimate and validate the size of the robot end effector market and other dependent submarkets listed in this report.
- The key players in the industry and markets have been identified through extensive secondary research.
- The supply chain of the industry and the market size, in terms of value, have been determined through primary and secondary research.
- All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns have been determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources.
Robot End Effector Market: Top-Down Approach
- In the top-down approach, the overall market size has been used to estimate the size of the individual markets (mentioned in the market segmentation) through percentage splits obtained from secondary and primary research.
- For the calculation of the robot end effector market segments, the market size obtained by implementing the bottom-up approach has been used to implement the top-down approach, which has then been later confirmed with the primary respondents across different regions.
- The bottom-up approach has also been implemented for the data extracted from secondary research to validate the market size of various segments.
- The market share of each company has been estimated to verify the revenue shares used earlier in the bottom-up approach. With the help of data triangulation and validation of data through primaries, the size of the overall robot end effector and each individual markets have been determined and confirmed in this study.
Data Triangulation
After arriving at the overall market size, the total market has been split into several segments. The market breakdown and data triangulation procedures have been employed wherever applicable to complete the overall market engineering process and arrive at exact statistics for all segments. The data has then been triangulated by studying various factors and trends from both the demand and supply sides. The market has also been validated using both top-down and bottom-up approaches.
Market Definition
An accessory device or tool, specifically designed to be attached to the wrist of an industrial robot or tool mounting plate which enables the robot to perform the intended task, is referred to as a robot end effector. Robot end effectors are also known as robotic peripherals, robotic accessories, robot tools, robotic tools, end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), or end-of-arm devices. Robot end effectors are designed to perform different industrial tasks, such as handling, assembly, welding, dispensing, processing, and others, including cutting and soldering in a defined pattern to automate the production process.
Key Stakeholders
- Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
- Providers of technology solutions
- Research institutes
- Market research and consulting firms
- Forums, alliances, and associations related to robot end effectors
- Technology investors
- Governments and financial institutions
- Analysts and strategic business planners
- Existing end users and prospective ones
Report Objectives:
- To describe and forecast the robot end effector market in terms of value based on type, robot type, application, and industry
- To describe and forecast the robot end effector market size in terms of value with respect to 4 main regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW)
- To provide detailed information regarding the drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth of the robot end-effector market
- To provide a detailed overview of the supply chain of the robot end-effector ecosystem
- To analyze opportunities in the market for various stakeholders by identifying the high-growth segments of the market
- To analyze the probable impact of the recession on the market in future
- To benchmark the market players using the proprietary company evaluation matrix framework, which analyzes the market players on various parameters within the broad categories of market ranking/share and product portfolio
- To analyze competitive developments such as acquisitions, product launches, partnerships, expansions, and collaborations undertaken in the robot end-effector market.
Available Customization
With the given market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations according to the company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for this report:
Company Information:
- Detailed analysis and profiling of additional five market players
Generating Response ...
Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in Robot End Effector Market