International robotics association based in Frankfurt: global robotics statistics (World Robotics), advocacy and promotion of robotics research
International Federation of Robotics (IFR)
Frankfurt am Main (Lyoner Str. 18, head office c/o FV R+A within VDMA)New on Amplifa
About the IFR
The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) is a non-profit industry association founded in 1987 and headquartered in Frankfurt am Main that represents the global robotics industry. The federation connects more than 90 institutional members from over 20 countries, including national robot associations, robot manufacturers and research institutes. The IFR Statistical Department collects annual global market statistics on industrial and service robots and publishes them in the reports World Robotics Industrial Robots and World Robotics Service Robots, the latter in cooperation with Fraunhofer IPA. The IFR promotes research and international cooperation, represents the interests of the industry vis-à-vis policymakers and the public, coordinates the International Symposium on Robotics (ISR), held since 1970, and jointly awards the IERA Award. IFR data are used as a reference source by governments, supranational organisations such as the UN and OECD, as well as by academia and the media.
- Site
- Frankfurt am Main
- Processes
- Automated logistics / material transport (AGV/AMR), Market statistics and World Robotics annual report (Industrial & Service Robots), Promotion of research and international cooperation in robotics, Public relations and advocacy, Coordination of the International Symposium on Robotics (ISR), Networking platform for members (associations, manufacturers, research institutes), Statistical surveys of robotics manufacturers, IERA Award (awarded jointly)
- Materials
- World Robotics Industrial Robots, World Robotics Service Robots, International Symposium on Robotics, Case Studies
- Certificates
- Manufacturer-neutral data collection (Statistical Department)
- Founded
- 1987
- Industries
- Robotics industry (industrial and service robotics), Mechanical engineering, Research and development
- 01
Annual statistical survey of robotics manufacturers worldwide
- 02
Data processing and analysis by the IFR Statistical Department
- 03
- 04
Public relations, press releases and IFR Executive Roundtables
- 05
Promotion of research and international cooperation (ISR, IERA Award)
Services and Data Products
World Robotics Industrial Robots
Annual report with statistics on installations of industrial robots including cobots by country, industry and application, as well as robot density and the global installed base.
World Robotics Service Robots
Annual report on professional, private and medical service robots including mobile robots, produced jointly with Fraunhofer IPA.
International Symposium on Robotics
Conference on industrial and service robotics held since 1970, sponsored and coordinated by the IFR.
Case Studies
Application examples of industrial robots, service robots and mobile robots in practice, collected by the IFR Statistical Department.
Head Office
Frankfurt am Main
DEHead office (secretariat and Statistical Department, c/o FV R+A within VDMA)
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automated logistics / material transport (AGV/AMR)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
7 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy-duty AGV | Stäubli WFT | 4 | – | – | Siemens Gamesa shipyard Cuxhaven |
| AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) | Stäubli WFT | – | – | – | HERMA |
| Mobile Robots (Fleet) | OMRON | 9 | – | – | VOLA Works |
| Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) | Standard Robots | 63 | – | – | Photovoltaic Company (China) |
| AGV (Fleet) | ANT | – | – | – | Shower enclosure manufacturer Europe |
| Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) | IPLUSMOBOT | – | – | – | Lithium Battery Factory |
| Industrial robots / AMR | OMRON | – | – | – | Polar Semiconductor |
Additional services
Data Quality
IFR statistics are based on primary data from robotics manufacturers worldwide as well as secondary data via national robot associations. Data collection is carried out by a manufacturer-neutral, non-profit institution in compliance with antitrust and data protection rules, without publication of individual company data.
| Evidence | Frankfurt am Main |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer-neutral data collection (Statistical Department) |
History
- 1987
IFR founded as a non-profit organisation; headquartered in Frankfurt am Main
- 1970
International Symposium on Robotics (ISR) has been held since 1970; IFR is sponsor/coordinator
- 2002
Foundation of the Service Robots working group
- 2025
Global installed base of industrial robots reached 5 million units (+9%); installations exceeded 600,000 units (+11%)
- 2025
Worldwide sales of professional service robots rose by 24% to almost 250,000 units
- 2026
Jane Heffner (Teradyne Robotics) becomes new IFR President