The humanoid robot market took a new step towards commercial use in 2025, with around 7,000 robots sold worldwide for industrial and professional services, according to data compiled by the International Robotics Federation (IFR). These figures provide one of the first comprehensive measurements of a market that is still in its early stages, despite the large investments flowing into the development of AI- powered robots .
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Autonomous AI-Enabled Humanoid Robot Working at Fulfillment Center. He is Moving Boxes and Sorting Packages. Automated Warehouse or Logistics Center with General Purpose Humanoid Robots
The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) does not rely solely on external appearance to classify a robot as humanoid. Its definition requires that the robot possess a human-like appearance and be capable of operating independently in an environment primarily designed for humans. The definition does not require the robot to have legs, thus broadening the range of devices that can be included in this category.
The sales figures mentioned exclude robots intended for consumer and military uses, while medical robots are classified separately. Therefore, the figure of 7,000 units does not represent all humanoid robots that were produced or developed during the year, but rather focuses on industrial uses and professional services covered by the organization's methodology.
7,000 units versus a much larger robotics market
Although the sale of 7,000 robots in one year is an indicator of the sector's growth, its size is still small compared to the traditional robotics market. Data from the International Robotics Organization shows that around 542,000 industrial robots were installed worldwide in 2024, while sales of professional service robots approached 200,000 units during the same year.
According to the organization, Asia accounted for 74% of new industrial robot deployments in 2024, with China being the largest global market, accounting for 54% of global installations with approximately 295,000 industrial robots. These figures illustrate the significant difference between the established industrial robot market and the humanoid robot market, which has only recently begun to form a measurable commercial base.
Research and development are behind a large part of sales.
The sale of 7,000 robots does not mean that the same number entered factories to perform production tasks continuously. According to Susan Bieler, Secretary General of the International Federation of Robotics, a significant number of the robots sold in 2025 went to research institutions and companies that use them to collect data from the physical world in order to develop artificial intelligence models and improve their ability to interact with real-world environments.
This reveals an important function for humanoid robots at the present stage: they are not just machines to perform specific tasks, but they can also be used as platforms to test artificial intelligence systems and collect the data necessary to develop their ability to move and interact with objects and people.
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