Global Food Robotics Market Size and Share Outlook - Forecast Trends and Growth Analysis Report (2024-2032)

Food Robotics Market Trends

Increasing traction towards automation, implementation of AI and ML and partnerships and collaborations with robotics providers are shaping trends in the market.

Rising demand for automation

A key trend in the food robotics industry is the increased integration of automation in food processing, the high cost of labour, and rise of the online food delivery services are some of the prominent market drivers. Automation in the food processing sector is aimed at enhancing efficiency, minimising waste, and expanding production capabilities in which robotics serve an essential role in streamlining repetitive and labour-intensive tasks.

Implementation of AI and ML

There is also a surge in the implementation of AI and machine learning in food robotics solutions for enhancing quality control tasks and improving adaptive learning to boost their performance in the food processing sector, propelling the trends in the food robotics market.

Collaboration with robotics providers

Market players are collaborating with robotics providers to deploy advanced robotic solutions. Fizyr, a company specialising in vision AI for robotic systems, established a partnership with Dero Group, a leader in food processing and robotic automation solutions, on May 13th, 2024. This partnership is aimed at advancing automation for variable tasks in the food processing and logistics sectors. Such steps will open up new market opportunities.

Industry News

July 2024

The Chef Robotics group has introduced a multi-purpose AI robot in order to innovate industrial food production more efficiently and to help mitigate labour shortages. The newest venture from the Chef Robotics group, this multi-purpose AI robot, has been designed for innovating industrial food production with more convenience and help in alleviating labour shortages.

July 2024

Texas-based startup Avride has launched sidewalk-delivery robots in the United States. Each weighs 120 pounds, holds six pizzas, and uses thermal bags for temperature control. The devices will use LIDAR, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors to navigate their way safely across streets.

Historical Market Analysis

Over the past five years, the food robotics industry was challenged due to high implementation costs, technical limitations, and regulatory hurdles before achieving a level of penetration. The initial costs of many companies were too high for these implementations, which the core players offered flexible leasing models. Technical limitations in the handling of complex tasks due to a lack of advanced AI and machine learning solutions are being diminished by their investments and thereby maintaining better precision and adaptability, bolstering the food robotics demand growth. The collaboration with the regulatory bodies also prevented the safety regulations of foods and the ways through which compliance was upheld to get easier integration of robotic solutions in the food production environment.

Opportunities in the Food Robotics Market

Better Food Safety, Increased Productivity, and Technological Advancements Drive the Adoption of Food Robotics

• Innovations in robotics technology continuously increase the precision, productivity, and food hygiene adhered to in food processing and packaging.
• In terms of productivity, no doubt, robots increase productivity as they perform repetitive tasks much faster and with much more precision than human workers, shaping up food robotics market opportunities.
• Automation reduces the risk of contamination and chances of human error. Thus, it ensures higher standards of food safety and quality.
• Robotic deployment helps to cut labour costs and compensates for labour shortages within the food industry, according to food robotics industry analysis.

Market Dynamics

Automation, AI advancements, and regulatory pressures drive market growth and safety standards.

Key trends now driving the market for food robotics are automation that increases efficiency and, at the same time, increases consistency to address the problems of labour shortages and reduce operational costs. These include advances in robotics technologies that have associated it with advanced AI and machine learning to drive the ability to handle more precise and complex tasks. The escalation in demand for personalised and high-quality food products eventually fuels the adoption of robotics to achieve customization and scaling, supporting the food robotics market dynamics and trends. Furthermore, rising regulatory pressures to ensure food safety and hygiene encourage enterprises to invest in robotic solutions, pushing the food robotics industry growth forward. Since these technologies can guarantee companies' due observance of associated regulatory guidelines, they also enhance general standards of safety in food processing.

Growth Drivers

Increasing demand for efficiency, customization, and food safety standards drives the market.

Increased efficiency and consistency in food production is a significant driving factor for the market for food robotics. With changing consumer tastes into high-quality, customised food products, companies are looking towards robotics as an upgrading production capability, augmenting growth of food robotics market. For instance, Miso Robotics' AI-powered kitchen robot, Flippy, is designed to automate cooking tasks in restaurants so that the restaurant does not compromise on food quality with lower labour costs. For this reason, companies are driven by the demand for excellent standards in terms of food safety and hygiene to embrace the use of robotics in maintaining stringent compliance levels; thereby, optimising the overall running of operations.

Market Restraints

High Initial Investment, Complex Integration, Regulatory Challenges and Skilled Workforce Requirement

• Setting up and acquiring a robotic system is capital intensive, and this might be a challenge to small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Integration of robotics in food processing systems is less straightforward and probably involves extensive changes in the process.
• Regular maintenance ensures top performance, while even any small, unexpected downtime may affect the entire schedule, leading to food robotics market challenges.
• The operation and maintenance of high-level robotics systems require competent personnel. It becomes difficult to get such personnel in areas where technical expertise is lacking.
• Economic volatility on a global level results in uncertainty, and, hence, new technology, including capital equipment such as robots, may be underinvested in.
• Implementation of new robotic technologies may bring in stringent food safety requirements and conformance to ensure food safety.

Food Robotics Industry Segmentation

“Food Robotics Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

On the basis of type, the market can be divided into the following:

• Articulated 
• Parallel
• SCARA
• Cylindrical
• Others

On the basis of payload, the market can be divided into the following:

• Low
• Medium
• Heavy

On the basis of application, the market can be divided into the following:

• Packaging
• Repackaging
• Palletising
• Picking
• Processing
• Others

Based on region, the market can be segregated into:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Food Robotics Market Share

By Type Analysis

Diverse robot types enhance efficiency and precision, boosting demand for food robotics solutions.

Different kinds of robots serve specific industries, hence food robotics has actually increased demand in respect of various types of robots. There are some general features that each type of robot has. The articulated ones can cater to complex work such as food handling and packaging, and the parallel ones are high-speed assembly and accuracy jobs. As per food robotics market analysis, those performances that involve fast and repetitive movements like pick-and-place jobs are also good with SCARA. While confined spaces are perfect for cylindrical ones where it is used for packaging and palletizing. The varied capabilities of these types of robots allow for manufacturers to optimise their production process and to become more efficient in producing goods, especially considering changing consumer demands.

Market Analysis by Payload

Low, medium, and heavy payload robots optimise efficiency in diverse food service applications.

Applications are driving payload categories in popularity within the market. Low payload robots are applied to relatively simple tasks, such as handling ingredients in a small kitchen, more efficiently through automation. Medium payload robots become ubiquitous in restaurants, used to prepare and plate food, thereby increasing productivity significantly. As per food robotics industry analysis, heavy payload robots, that could carry heavier loads or larger individual payloads, are just now beginning to appear in industrial settings where packaging and logistics become difficult because of their size. Owing to the demand for automation in keeping up with the increasing need in food services, these payload segments are an important need in optimising operations and labour cost.

Application Insights

Automation in packaging, repackaging, and processing enhances efficiency in food production and logistics.

Several applications in the market for food robotics are being adopted based on the growing need for automation in packaging. Packaging robots make the process of wrapping and sealing easier and better, which eliminates unnecessary waste as well as saves time. Repackaging applications support consumer needs for flexible portion sizes and products that are easy to handle. Palletising robots optimise storage and logistics by making them greatly improved, thereby augmenting the food robotics market revenues. Picking robots also hasten order fulfilment, which becomes crucial especially through e-commerce. Processing robots improve the processing of food by increasing its consistency and safety. As business ventures look for efficiency to save more labour cost, these applications become highly crucial in current food production and distribution.

Food Robotics Market Regional Insights

North America Food Robotics Market Opportunities

One major opportunity in the North America food robotics market is the ongoing rise in the need for automation in e-commerce fulfilment. As online grocery shopping continues its surge, companies do invest in robotics for enhancing order processing, picking, and packaging; this transition improves efficiency while offering enhanced accuracy and labour cost savings. In addition, the development of smarter and more flexible robots is powered by advances in AI and ML. Such robots are also well-suited for high-volume, diverse product lines, as seen in food logistics and distribution centres.

Europe Food Robotics Market Dynamics

Food processing and preparation through food robotics is another sub-niche in the Europe food robotics market. The demand for fresh and minimally processed foods is compelling manufacturers to adapt to a higher level of consistency and safety in producing these food items. The development of robots that assist in slicing, mixing, or cooking has increasingly been incorporated into the lines of production. In addition to increasing efficiency, this trend also allows companies to maintain smoother adherence to strict food safety requirements that help spur growth within this section of the market.

Asia Pacific Food Robotics Market Trends

An important trend in the Asia Pacific food robotics market will be the incorporation of AI-driven robots to improve inventory management and optimise supply chains. Companies like SoftBank Robotics are launching robots that track the stock quantity and are handy in restocking in supermarkets and warehouses, among others. This will reduce the issues of inventory accuracy and waste leading to more appropriate responses from businesses towards consumer demand. As the retail landscape of the region changes, AI-enabled robots prove to be completely indispensable in order to enhance operational efficiency while improving customer service.

Latin America Food Robotics Market Insights

The Latin America food robotics market is anticipated to rise rapidly with the growing urbanisation rate, as consumers will seek more automation in their lives. Using robotics in packaging, sorting, and controlling the quality enhances productivity while minimising overall operational costs for businesses. Further driving robotics are increasing accessibility of technology advancements towards SMEs. Expansion of e-commerce in the region accelerates the need for efficient logistics and supply chain solutions; therefore, food robotics becomes a key enabler of market competitiveness.

Middle East and Africa Food Robotics Market Drivers

Rapid urbanisation, a growing population, and increasing demand for efficient food production are driving factors in the Middle East and Africa food robotics market. The region's food security and sustainability is at the centre of the focus to drive investment into automation technologies. For example, South Africa's Cobot Solutions features collaborative robots that support the packaging and quality inspection processes, making operations in food processing plants much more efficient. Further, the modernization policies initiated by government entities for agriculture work in assisting businesses to adopt robotics to efficiently use available resources and also improve the quality of products to cater to the new market environment.

Competitive Landscape

Food robotics market players are targeting more efficiency in automated systems, greater safety in food products, and a more versatile robot that can be used on multiple tasks. Their ambitions have developed into integrating high technologies that include AI and machine learning for smarter operations to analyze data better. Food robotics companies are adopting sustainable solutions to maintain an environment-friendly scenario in accordance with regulations while also cutting down on waste. They are also broadening the product range across the diverse segment from processing to packaging and logistics.

Key Market Players

Key industry leaders in this market are:

ABB Ltd., an international technology company with its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, and founded in 1988, offers food-grade robotic solutions on the IRB series, developed for packaging, palletizing, and processing. These are precision, reliable, and efficient robots in food handling.

Kuka AG, founded in 1898 in Augsburg, Germany, provides food robotics that are advanced, such as the KR series, which consists of sorting, packaging, and processing robots. Its robots are designed with a high capacity and flexibility in food production.

FANUC Corporation, a company founded in 1956 and is headquartered in Oshino, Japan, offers food robotics solutions through product models such as M-20iA and M-10iA. Used in applications such as packaging, palletizing, and handling, these robots have gained a huge recognition in the food industry due to their speed and accuracy.

Founded in 1896, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. has its head offices in Tokyo, Japan. The company offers food-grade robots, such as the RS series, for handling, sorting, and packing. These robots are of high precision, reliable, and assure safety in food processing areas.

Other key players in the food robotics market report include Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, Universal Robots A/S, Bastian Solutions, LLC, Seiko Epson Corporation, and Stäubli International AG, among others.

Recent Developments

April 2023

Doosan Robotics unveiled its E series collaborative robot, specifically designed for the food and beverage sector, with a payload of 5 kg, and a working radius of 900 mm, which means it can churn out ice cream or even deep-fry food, making coffee, and doing various other tasks with guaranteed food safety certificates.

July 2024

Chef Robotics launched the first AI arms-robot arms for accurate food portioning, handling everything from tikka masala to pesto tortellini. The company has run successful trials with brands such as Amy's Kitchen and will be opening production facilities and new customers in the US and Canada.