North American robot orders climb 6.6% in 2025 as cobots gain momentum

Industry data released by A3 reveals a noticeable uptick in robot purchases across the continent, with overall orders expanding by roughly six and a half percent this year. The growth is driven largely by buyers outside the traditional automotive sphere, as manufacturers in sectors such as electronics, food processing and pharmaceuticals turn to automation to meet tighter production schedules and labor constraints. Collaborative robots, or cobots, are at the heart of this shift, offering flexible, easy‑to‑program solutions that can work alongside human operators without extensive safety cages. Their rising popularity suggests a broader move toward adaptable factory floors, where small‑batch production and rapid changeovers become more feasible. Analysts see the trend as a sign that North American manufacturers are increasingly comfortable integrating advanced robotics into everyday operations, reshaping workforce dynamics and setting a new baseline for productivity.