Robot End Effector Market Size, Share & Trends

Updated on : Sep 16, 2024

Robot End Effector Market Size & Share

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 industry.

Robot End Effector Market Forecast to 2028

To know about the assumptions considered for the study, Request for Free Sample Report

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 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 Trends

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.

Robot End Effector Market Segment

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

To know about the assumptions considered for the study, download the pdf brochure

Robot End Effector Market Regional Analysis

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).

Top 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.

Robot End Effector Market Report Scope

Robot End Effector Market Highlights

This report has segmented the overall robot end effector market based on type, robot type, application, industry, and region.

Recent Developments in Robot End Effector Industry

• 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):

To speak to our analyst for a discussion on the above findings, click Speak to Analyst