Mobile robots will continue to experience high growth in 2026, with an average annual growth rate of 19% from 2024 to 2030, predicted Interact Analysis. The market intelligence firm this week said it expects mobile robot revenue will climb from just under $5 billion in 2024 to $14 billion in 2030.
This forecast followed a downward revision of 12% from Interact Analysis’ May forecast, as tariff uncertainty disrupted investment. However, the Wellingborough, U.K.-based company noted that this market is still attractive, significantly outpacing a predicted average annual growth rate of 2.4% for fixed automation.
Interact Analysis’ report focused on material handling applications in manufacturing and logistics environments, which account for the bulk of automated guided vehicle (AGV) and autonomous mobile robots (AMR) revenues.
A transition from AGVs to AMRs is clearly occurring, the company said. It projected AGV revenue to drop from around 33% of total mobile robot revenue in 2024 to 20% in 2030.
China’s mobile robot market lead erodes
Interact Analysis’ latest “Mobile Robots” report said that China’s market share will fall from 58% in 2024 to 46% in 2030, as growth in other regions accelerates. China drove early adoption of mobile automation, fueled by government support, rapid e-commerce growth, and a large manufacturing base, it noted.
Other markets are now witnessing strong expansion, while China is anticipated to see domestic demand plateau, said Interact Analysis. This will contribute to a fall in China’s mobile robot revenue share from 36% to 27% over the forecast period, due to a lower average price per unit.
Interact Analysis said the premium version of its report provides “tertiary-level analysis,” which models demand for mobile robots by country. It also includes a mid-year update to its forecasts.
Save the date for the 2026 Robotics SummitFulfillment systems dominate, but forklift demand strengthens
Interact analysis also predicted that order-fulfillment robots will account for around 50% of mobile system shipments by 2030, driven by strong demand in warehouse and e-commerce applications. In addition, autonomous forklifts could account for an estimated one-third of total mobile robot revenue, despite a smaller share of overall shipments.
“Despite lower shipment share, forklifts – particularly AGV forklifts – generate the highest revenues due to premium pricing,” stated Ash Sharma, vice president of research for robotics and warehouse automation at Interact Analysis.
“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,” he added. “The forklift segment continues to attract new entrants and innovation, with vendors expanding portfolios to include forklifts as part of integrated mobile automation solutions.”
With more than 200 years of combined experience, Interact Analysis said its research covers the value chain, from the factory automation through inventory storage and distribution channels to the transport of finished goods. It predicted some uncertainty for warehouse automation in general in 2026.
