According to recent data released by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), robot orders remained steady, but what truly stands out is the collaborative robot (cobot) industry is entering a pivotal phase in North America, with Q1 2025 marking a significant shift in adoption patterns, sectoral demand, and technological readiness.
Why Cobots Are Growing Fast in 2025
Cobots are no longer niche tools for small payload tasks. With advancements in robotics, AI, and sensor technology, they now offer high performance, flexibility, and safety features that make them ideal for dynamic work environments.
- Labor Shortages & Reshoring: Cobots are filling critical workforce gaps and supporting reshoring initiatives in manufacturing. Compared to traditional robots, they’re more affordable and easier to deploy.
- Safety-First Design: Modern cobots are built to work safely alongside human operators without the need for cages or guards, reducing both cost and floor space.
- Cost-Effective Automation: With plug-and-play features, intuitive interfaces, and quicker ROI, cobots have become accessible for small and mid-sized businesses, not just industrial giants.
Market Evolution: Who’s Leading and What’s Changing?
Industry leaders like Universal Robots, Fanuc, and Techman Robot are dominating the collaborative robot landscape in North America thanks to their diverse portfolios and strong track records. These companies are constantly pushing the boundaries of what cobots can do, especially in heavy-duty applications.
Material handling, pick and place, machine tending, palletizing remain the top application segment due to its broad use across logistics, manufacturing, and food industries.
Real-World Use Cases Cobot Application
1. Food & Beverage
Cobots are automating cooking, portioning, packaging, and quality control in food production. They help reduce waste, maintain consistency, and improve safety, while lowering operational costs.
Example of cobots as an barista
2. Automotive & Manufacturing
Companies like BMW and Ford are using cobots for high-precision assembly and inspection tasks. These robots boost output while minimizing worker fatigue and injuries.
Example of cobot in automative
3. Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
Cobots assist with lab automation, pharmaceutical packaging, and even complex surgical procedures. The da Vinci Xi Surgical System, for example, enables minimally invasive surgeries with unmatched accuracy.
Example of a keyhole surgegy with robotic technology
4. Logistics & Warehousing
Major players like Amazon and DHL rely on cobots for picking, sorting, and packing. Cobots help speed up order fulfillment and reduce errors in high-volume environments.
Example of cobots in Amazon warehouse
The Future of Cobots: What’s Next?
Looking ahead, cobots will continue to evolve with:
- Smarter AI integration for adaptive learning
- Improved human-robot interfaces for better collaboration
- Expansion into new sectors like construction, retail, and even home use
As cobots grow stronger and smarter, they’re set to become standard tools in the digital transformation journey of businesses worldwide.
In May 2025, the SusGrip smart gripper series by Apicoo Robotics was officially certified for technical compliance by Universal Robots A/S. As a UR+ certified product, SusGrip is fully compatible with a wide range of UR+ collaborative cobot models. With a 5 kg payload, 128 – 150 mm length, SusGrip delivers intuitive parallel motion, plug-and-play setup, and an advanced safety design, making it an ideal solution for efficient automation in small and medium-sized manufacturing environments. Beyond the UR+ ecosystem, SusGrip has also been further developed and customized to ensure compatibility with most collaborative robots available on the market today.
Apicoo Robotics is currently offering a Free Trial Program, allowing customers worldwide to test and monitor SusGrip’s performance in real-world production settings at no cost.
Click here to know more: apicoorobotics.com/trial
