Global Robot Installations Continue to Grow

According to data released by the IFR on September 24, 2026, the global operational stock of industrial robots reached approximately 5.079 million units in 2025, up 9% year over year. Annual installations totaled approximately 603,000 units, an increase of 11%. The IFR forecasts that global installations will reach approximately 655,000 units in 2026.​

China remained a leading market, with approximately 354,000 new installations in 2025, up 20% year over year and accounting for 59% of the global total.​

Automation Applications Continue to Expand

With advances in machine vision, sensing technologies and artificial intelligence, industrial robots are increasingly used in automotive manufacturing, electronics, metal processing and general industry, covering inspection, material handling, assembly and flexible production.​

As automation advances, equipment requires more frequent exchanges of status information and control signals. Reliable industrial connectivity is essential for maintaining production continuity and improving maintenance efficiency.​

Industrial Connectivity and Field Control Work Together

Robot workcells consist of controllers, sensors, actuators and peripheral equipment, which rely on electrical connections and industrial communication for signal acquisition and data exchange.​

International suppliers such as Phoenix Contact, Weidmüller and WAGO offer terminal block products, while HARTING and Molex have established industrial connector portfolios. ULO GROUP also provides PCB terminal blocks, pluggable terminal blocks, DIN-rail terminal blocks and circular connectors, supported by structural engineering, precision tooling, automated assembly and inspection capabilities.​

In industrial communication and control, ULO GROUP offers remote I/O modules, industrial Ethernet switches, protocol converters, bus valve islands and relay modules to support field-level signal acquisition and industrial connectivity.​

Connectivity and Control Drive Automation Upgrades

Growing robot installations are also driving demand for electrical connectivity, field I/O and industrial networking. Early planning of connection interfaces, I/O points and communication architectures helps simplify equipment integration, expansion and maintenance.​

As production lines become more flexible and digitalized, modular, scalable and easy-to-maintain connectivity and control solutions will become increasingly important.