PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1751012
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1751012
A harmonic drive is a gear mechanism that utilizes a flexible spline to transfer rotational motion with high precision and minimal backlash. Its primary function is to deliver compact, efficient, and highly accurate motion control for various applications. Harmonic drives are commonly used in robotics, aerospace, and other precision machinery because of their exceptional accuracy and near-zero backlash.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The main types of harmonic drives include cup style, hat style, ring style, pancake style, and others. The cup-style harmonic drive is a compact gear system that employs a flexible, cup-shaped wave generator to provide high torque and precise motion control across different applications. These drives are made from materials such as steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and others. They are available in a range of power outputs, including low power (below 100 W), medium power (100-1,000 W), and high power (above 1,000 W). Harmonic drives are sold through both online and offline channels. They are used in a variety of fields such as industrial robots, semiconductor equipment, flat panel equipment, machine tools, optical machines, printing machines, bookbinding and paper machines, metalworking machines, medical equipment, space equipment, and many other applications.
The harmonic drives market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides harmonic drives market statistics, including the harmonic drives industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the harmonic drives market share, detailed harmonic drives market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the harmonic drives industry. This harmonic drives market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.
The harmonic drive market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from$3.73 billion in 2024 to $4.23 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.5%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to a heightened focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, the increasing growth of industrial automation, a rising need for compact and lightweight systems, the ongoing development of the harmonic drive mechanism, and the growing trends of miniaturization and precision in modern electronics.
The harmonic drive market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.92 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1%. The growth during the forecast period can be attributed to the increasing demand for robotics and automation, a growing focus on autonomous systems, the expansion of the aerospace and space exploration sector, the rising need for renewable energy systems, and the growing demand for electrification in the automotive and transportation industries. Key trends during this period include advanced simulation and virtual prototyping, miniaturization and compact designs, integration with smart systems and the Internet of Things, innovations in materials, and the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in design.
The growing demand for electric vehicles is expected to drive the growth of the harmonic drive market in the coming years. Electric vehicles (EVs), which are powered by electric motors and battery packs, offer a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. The increasing demand for EVs is driven by the need to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change. Harmonic drives are used in electric vehicles' transmission systems to provide high torque and precise motion control, enhancing efficiency and performance. For example, the International Energy Agency, a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization, reported that electric vehicle sales rose by 3.5 million units in 2023, representing a 35% increase year-over-year. As a result, the rising demand for electric vehicles will fuel the growth of the harmonic drive market.
Companies operating in the harmonic drive market are focusing on developing innovative products, such as miniature harmonic drives, to offer precise motion control in compact applications. Miniature harmonic drives are small, high-precision gear systems used in applications that require accurate motion control in limited spaces. For example, in December 2024, Zhejiang Laifual Drive Co., Ltd., a China-based manufacturer, launched miniature harmonic drives for humanoid robotics, further establishing its leadership in precision transmission technology. These drives, available in sizes such as 03/05/08 and larger models such as 45/50, improve robot joint flexibility and motion accuracy. The size 03 model (13g) is specifically designed for micro and humanoid robot joints, while larger models support more complex systems. Laifual, with over 90 patents, specializes in customized solutions and upholds stringent quality standards. As a national high-tech enterprise, it continues to drive innovation in the humanoid robotics industry.
In December 2023, TE Connectivity Plc, a Switzerland-based technology company specializing in connectors and sensors, partnered with Harmonic Drive Systems Inc. This collaboration aims to create a new series of Harmonic Drive gears equipped with safety torque sensors to improve the safety and performance of collaborative robots (cobots), responding to the growing demand across industries. Harmonic Drive Systems Inc., a Japan-based company, specializes in high-precision motion control and mechanical components, particularly strain wave gearing technology (Harmonic Drive).
Major players in the harmonic drive market are Nidec-Shimpo Corporation, KOFON Group, Guangzhou Haozhi Industrial Co. Ltd., Reach Machinery Co. Ltd., Cone Drive Operations Inc., Sumitomo Drive Technologies, Hiwin Technologies Corp., Harmonic Drive LLC, Shenzhen Han's Motion Technology Co. Ltd., Leaderdrive Co. Ltd., GAM Enterprises Inc., OVALO GmbH, BENRUN Robot Technology Co. Ltd., Jiangsu Guomao Reducer Co. Ltd., SBB Tech Co. Ltd., Beijing CTKM Harmonic Drive Technology Co. Ltd., Mukund trans gears, Harmonic Drive Systems Inc., Laifual Drive Technology Co. Ltd., Wanshsin Seikou Co. Ltd.
North America was the largest region in the harmonic drive market in 2024. Asia-pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in harmonic drive report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the harmonic drive market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The harmonic drive market consists of sales of rotary actuators, gear units, and component sets. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Harmonic Drive Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on harmonic drive market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for harmonic drive ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The harmonic drive market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.