PUBLISHER: Global Industry Analysts, Inc. | PRODUCT CODE: 1753193
PUBLISHER: Global Industry Analysts, Inc. | PRODUCT CODE: 1753193
Global Soft Robotics Market to Reach US$2.9 Billion by 2030
The global market for Soft Robotics estimated at US$985.8 Million in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$2.9 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 19.5% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Soft Grippers, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 22.2% CAGR and reach US$1.4 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Cobots segment is estimated at 16.6% CAGR over the analysis period.
The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$268.6 Million While China is Forecast to Grow at 26.7% CAGR
The Soft Robotics market in the U.S. is estimated at US$268.6 Million in the year 2024. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$685.2 Million by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 26.7% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 15.2% and 17.6% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 16.3% CAGR.
Can Soft Robotics Bridge The Gap Between Machines And The Human Touch?
Soft robotics represents a paradigm shift in the way robots are designed and interact with their environments. Built with flexible materials like silicone, elastomers, and electroactive polymers, soft robots mimic biological movements and adapt to unstructured environments, making them ideal for handling delicate objects or working alongside humans. These systems excel in applications where traditional rigid robots fall short-like food handling, medical rehabilitation, search-and-rescue operations, and wearable exosuits. Their ability to conform, bend, stretch, and self-heal enables safe, high-precision manipulation in variable settings. Companies such as Soft Robotics Inc., ReWalk Robotics, and Festo are pioneering real-world use cases across agriculture, logistics, healthcare, and more. As industries seek automation that coexists with human workflows, soft robotics is emerging as the key to collaborative, adaptive, and safe robotic systems of the future.
How Are Bio-Inspired Designs And Advanced Materials Driving Innovation?
The development of soft robots is closely tied to innovations in biomimicry and smart materials. Researchers are modeling robotic movements on natural organisms-octopus arms, elephant trunks, or human muscles-resulting in machines with greater dexterity and situational awareness. Shape-memory alloys, liquid crystal elastomers, and dielectric elastomers are being integrated into actuators that respond to temperature, light, or electric fields. 3D printing and additive manufacturing have enabled rapid prototyping of complex soft structures, while embedded sensors provide real-time feedback on pressure, strain, and position. These advances are allowing soft robots to perform dynamic tasks in variable conditions, including underwater exploration or minimally invasive surgery. The development of self-healing and biodegradable materials is also contributing to environmental sustainability and robotic longevity. These breakthroughs are redefining the role of robotics from rigid automation to fluid, context-aware, and human-centric systems.
Is Industry 4.0 Driving Adoption Of Soft Robotics In Key Sectors?
As Industry 4.0 accelerates the convergence of AI, IoT, and automation, soft robotics is gaining traction in sectors that demand flexibility and safety. In manufacturing, soft robotic grippers are used for quality control and product handling in electronics, textiles, and food processing. In healthcare, soft robots assist in physical therapy, surgical instruments, and eldercare exosuits, offering comfort and safety. Logistics and e-commerce warehouses are deploying soft robotic arms for adaptive packaging and item retrieval. The agriculture sector uses them for harvesting delicate crops like berries and tomatoes. In aerospace and defense, soft actuators are being tested for variable-geometry surfaces and morphing drones. As the focus shifts from pure speed to human-robot collaboration and adaptability, soft robotics is poised to transform the way automation is integrated across value chains.
The Growth In The Soft Robotics Market Is Driven By Several Factors-What’s Powering The Momentum?
The growth in the soft robotics market is driven by several factors, including rising demand for automation in sensitive, variable environments and the increasing convergence of robotics with AI, sensor tech, and biomaterials. The limitations of rigid robots in high-variability industries are prompting a shift toward more adaptable solutions. Advances in smart materials, 3D printing, and lightweight actuators are accelerating commercialization. Healthcare, agriculture, logistics, and consumer wearables are leading verticals due to their need for safe, adaptive, and ergonomically compatible automation. Government funding for rehabilitation and human-assistive technologies, along with academic-industry collaborations, are further propelling the market forward. As robotics continues to evolve from hard-coded precision to dynamic learning and interaction, soft robotics is becoming a core pillar of intelligent automation systems.
SCOPE OF STUDY:
The report analyzes the Soft Robotics market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:
Segments:
Type (Soft Grippers, Cobots, Inflated Robots, Exoskeleton); Component (Hardware, Software); End-Use (Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing, Food & Beverages, Logistics, Other End-Uses)
Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.
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