Soft Robotics Market Forecasts to 2030 - Global Analysis By Type, Component, Material, Application, End User and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Soft Robotics Market is accounted for $1.1 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $9.6 billion by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 42.4% during the forecast period. Soft robotics involves designing and creating robots using flexible, often bio-inspired materials that enable adaptability and safe interaction with humans and delicate objects. This field is rapidly growing due to advancements in material science and increasing applications in healthcare, manufacturing, and consumer electronics. The market is expanding as industries seek more versatile, efficient automation solutions, driven by rising demand for safer, more efficient technologies in diverse applications, from rehabilitation devices to automated food handling systems.

According to a study conducted by IEEE in May 2022 on Soft Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery (RAMIS) and interventions, the advent of laparoscopic surgery, performed through narrow incisions, prompted a swift shift in the surgical community away from traditional open surgery.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Increasing demand for automation

The increasing demand for automation is driving the soft robotics market as industries seek to enhance efficiency, precision, and safety in operations. Soft robotics offers flexibility and adaptability, allowing for automation in sectors where traditional rigid robots are unsuitable, such as healthcare, food processing, and consumer electronics. The ability to handle delicate objects and interact safely with humans makes soft robots ideal for these applications, thus accelerating their adoption and market growth.

Restraint:

High development costs

High development costs are a significant restraint for the soft robotics market. The research, design, and production of soft robotic systems require substantial investment in advanced materials, technology, and skilled labor. These high upfront costs can be a barrier for smaller companies and startups, limiting their ability to enter the market. Additionally, the complexity of developing reliable and durable soft robots can further escalate costs, slowing down widespread adoption.

Opportunity:

Integration with AI and machine learning

AI enhances the capabilities of soft robots by enabling smarter, more autonomous, and adaptive systems that can learn from their environment and improve performance over time. This synergy opens up new applications in areas such as healthcare, where robots can assist in rehabilitation, and in manufacturing, where they can optimize processes and reduce downtime, driving innovation and market expansion.

Threat:

Competition from traditional robotics

Established rigid robotic systems are widely used across industries and have proven reliability and efficiency. These traditional robots often have a lower cost of development and deployment compared to soft robotics. As a result, potential customers may prefer sticking to conventional solutions, particularly in applications where flexibility and gentle handling are less critical, potentially limiting the growth of the soft robotics market.

Covid-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of soft robotics in healthcare and manufacturing due to the need for automation and contactless operations. Soft robots have been utilized in tasks such as disinfection, patient care, and automated manufacturing processes to maintain social distancing and reduce human intervention, highlighting their importance and driving market growth during the pandemic.

The soft grippers segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The soft grippers segment is expected to be the largest due to their widespread application across various industries such as food and beverage, logistics, and manufacturing. These grippers can safely handle delicate and irregularly shaped objects, which is essential in automated processes that require precision and care. Their versatility and ability to adapt to different tasks without causing damage to products make them highly valuable, driving significant market share in the soft robotics sector.

The shape memory alloys segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The shape memory alloys segment is expected to exhibit the highest CAGR due to the unique properties of these materials, such as their ability to return to a predefined shape upon heating. This characteristic makes shape memory alloys ideal for use in actuators and adaptive structures within soft robots, enabling advanced functionalities and improved performance. The growing interest in innovative applications, especially in medical devices and adaptive systems, is fueling rapid growth in this segment.

Region with largest share:

North America is positioned to dominate the soft robotics market due to its strong technological infrastructure, significant investments in research and development, and the presence of key industry players. The region's advanced healthcare sector, high adoption rate of new technologies, and well-established manufacturing industries further contribute to its leading market share. Furthermore, demand for automation and innovation in various applications drives the substantial market size in North America.

Region with highest CAGR:

The Asia Pacific region anticipates rapid growth in the soft robotics market driven by rapid industrialization, increasing investments in automation technologies, and a growing emphasis on improving operational efficiency across industries. Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea are at the forefront of adopting advanced robotic solutions, fueled by strong government support and significant advancements in technology. This robust growth potential makes Asia Pacific the fastest-growing region in the market.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Soft Robotics Market include Soft Robotics Inc., Festo AG & Co. KG, ABB Ltd, FANUC Corporation, KUKA AG, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, Universal Robots A/S, Rethink Robotics, RightHand Robotics, Inc., Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc., ReWalk Robotics Ltd., Cyberdyne Inc., Myomo, Inc., Bioservo Technologies AB, SynTouch Inc., Empire Robotics, Inc., Grabit Inc., OptoForce Ltd., Shadow Robot Company and SoftWear Automation, Inc.

Key Developments:

In April 2024, Wind River(R), a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems, today announced that Wind River Linux is being used by Yaskawa Electric Corporation, a leading manufacturer of servo motor, AC drives, and industrial robots, in the development of its new product, MOTOMAN NEXT.

In February 2024, Tompkins Solutions, a leading supply chain consulting and material handling integration firm, today announced a strategic partnership with Soft Robotics, a leading provider of innovative robotic automation solutions. This collaboration will deliver cutting-edge AI-powered robotics to logistics operations worldwide, enabling them to address ongoing supply chain issues and optimize order fulfillment.

In July 2023, Festo India announced collaboration with ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India. The partnership will focus on development of New Age Makers Institute of Technology (NAMTECH), an ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India education initiative aimed at delivering an integrated model of high-quality engineering and technical education, with special emphasis on manufacturing and sustainability.

Types Covered:

• Soft Grippers
• Inflatable Robots
• Wearable Robots
• Exoskeletons
• Edible Robots
• Other Types

Components Covered:

• Soft Robotic Actuators
• Controllers
• Sensors
• Power Sources
• Other Components

Materials Covered:

• Elastomers
• Gels
• Shape Memory Alloys
• Conductive Polymers
• Other Materials

Applications Covered:

• Medical Applications
• Food and Beverages
• Logistics
• Entertainment and Gaming
• Survey and Exploration
• Human-Machine Interface and Interaction
• Mobility and Inspection
• Manipulation
• Other Applications

End Users Covered:

• Healthcare Providers
• Manufacturing Industry
• Automotive Industry
• Consumer Electronics Industry
• Research Institutions and Academia
• Other End Users

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026, and 2030
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Free Customization Offerings:

All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:

• Company Profiling
  • Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
  • SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
  • Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
  • Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances