AI in Robotics – New Position Paper

Announced by the International Federation of Robotics

FRANKFURT, February 10, 2026 — A new generation of AI-powered robots moving from the lab to the real world is being promoted by AI technology companies and analysts predicting a multi-trillion dollar market. The vision is to give artificial intelligence its own robot body. What are the trends, challenges and commercial applications?

“AI is rapidly transforming the field of robotics,” says Takayuki Ito, president of the International Federation of Robotics. “Integrating AI into robotics provides enhanced functionality, increased efficiency, and increased adaptability. This development transforms AI from a supporting technology to a powerful enabler, opening the door to broader robot adoption across industries.”

frontline industry

There are several major areas currently leading the way in integrating AI and robotics.

Logistics and warehousing is often cited as a major domain. This is driven by high demand, available investment, and a relatively controlled environment. Areas of implementation include logistics, warehousing, internal logistics and broader supply chain. The sector is attracting attention for its resilience and growth potential.

of Manufacturing and industrial automation sector is the focus of investment. AI and robotics are playing an increasingly central role in modern manufacturing strategies as companies seek to streamline operations and improve production quality. This field spans a wide range of industries. This includes general industries such as automotive, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. This category includes highly technical production processes, factory automation systems, and precision assembly operations.

of service department is one of our major customers implementing AI and robotics. AI supports human-robot interaction, enabling natural communication and increasing robot usability and personalization, for example. This trend is driven by rising costs and worker shortages, especially in the post-pandemic market as talent lags behind demand. For example, restaurants are experimenting with robot servers and kitchen assistants. The future lies in a hybrid model where robots handle repetitive tasks and humans provide personalized attention.

A new vision for AI in robotics

Robot and chip manufacturers have recently invested in specialized hardware and software that simulates real-world environments. This so-called physical AI allows robots to train themselves in virtual environments and operate through experience rather than programming. Excitement about embodied AI has captured the attention of major technology companies and governments around the world.

in USAmazon, Tesla, NVIDIA and other companies announced record investments. Venture capital is pouring into a growing ecosystem of startups focused on specialized robotic applications.

in EuropeABB announced that it has signed an agreement to sell its robotics division to Japan’s SoftBank Group and integrate ABB Robotics and SoftBank’s AI capabilities.

ChinaThe Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has positioned embodied AI as a key “future industry” for China’s economic transformation and announced a dedicated action plan to accelerate embodied AI.

outlook

Over the next five to 10 years, AI is expected to be widely adopted in a variety of robotics applications. Because AI improves efficiency and reduces errors and maintenance costs, companies often see a faster return on investment (ROI) compared to non-AI systems.