International federation of robots

IFR White Paper (Pub: Dec 2020)

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IFR White Paper (Pub: Nov 2020)

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IFR White Paper (Pub: Oct 2020)

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IFR White Paper (Pub: March 2018)

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IFR White Paper (Pub: April 2017)

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https://ifr.org/ifr-press-releases/news/global-robot-demand-in-factories-doubles-over-10-years 

Frankfurt, September 25th, 2025 — The new World Robotics 2025 statistics on industrial robots showed 542,000 robots installed in 2024 - more than double the number 10 years ago. Annual installations topped 500,000 units for the fourth straight year. Asia accounted for 74% of new deployments in 2024, compared with 16% in Europe and 9% in the Americas.

IFR Quarterly Newsletter

https://mailings.ifr.org/m/16508542 

OTTO by Rockwell Automation awarded for pioneering heavy-load AMRs and large mobile robot fleets

Seoul, Nov 19, 2025 — The 2025 “Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics & Automation” (IERA) goes to OTTO by Rockwell Automation for its pioneering achievement in developing the company’s autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). OTTO was the first company to build an AMR solution capable of transporting heavy loads through factories and operating in robot fleets larger than 100 units, setting a technological milestone in professional service robotics.

IERA Award 2025 from left to right: Takayuki Ito, IFR President; Ryan Gariepy, Rockwell Automation; Susanne Bieller, IFR General Secretary. (copyright: KAR).

OTTO mobile robots automate repetitive and hazardous material handling tasks in manufacturing and production environments. They transport parts, pallets, and supplies across factory floors without worker intervention. They consist of the vehicle hardware, and a software suite for autonomous operation, factory integration, fleet analysis and remote analytics. The software was developed to manage some of the largest fleets of autonomous mobile robots in the world. The navigation capabilities optimize the robot’s speed while maintaining high safety standards. This ensures efficient and predictable movement around workers on the factory floor.

“The winning robot, OTTO, marks a world-changing milestone in the development of autonomous mobile robots,” said Susanne Bieller, IERA Awards Chair and IFR General Secretary. The jury recognized the work of OTTO by Rockwell Automation, stating that they had created a mature and well-established solution for advancing the development of AMRs for material handling.

“We are deeply honored to receive the distinguished IERA award and thank the jury for recognizing our work”, said Ryan Gariepy, Vice President of Robotics at Rockwell Automation, and previous CTO/co-founder at OTTO before its acquisition by Rockwell Automation. “The prize encourages us to continue pushing the boundaries in the development of valuable, innovative technologies in robotics.”

Transportation & logistics

Transportation and logistics applications stand out in the global field of professional service robotics: In 2024, annual sales rose by 14 percent, according to the latest World Robotics report by IFR. The market share of the application class transportation and logistics hit 52% of all installations.

The finalists

The other three finalists are: Spanish automation firm Aldakin for its robotic machining head that significantly reduces hazardous dust emissions during the processing of composite materials. Fourier Rehab from Shanghai presented the “ExoMotus M4”, an advanced lower-limb rehabilitation robot designed to restore mobility in patients with neurological and musculoskeletal impairments. Youibot from Shenzhen, China, presented its humanoid “MAIC-X” a dual-arm humanoid robot for industrial inspection.

IERA Award 2025 from left to right: Wanqiu Zhao, Youibot Robotics; Jake Kee, Fourier Rehab; Takayuki Ito, IFR President; Susanne Bieller, IFR General Secretary; Ryan Gariepy, Rockwell Automation; Ibai Inziarte-Hidalgo, Aldakin (copyright: KAR).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIPvnf224xk 

About IERA Award

Established in 2005, the IERA Award is presented annually by the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Industrial Activities Board and the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). It highlights and honours the achievements of inventors with value creating ideas and entrepreneurs who propel those ideas into world-class products.

In 2026 the IERA Award session will take place at the ICRA in Vienna from 1 to 5 June 2026.

https://ifr.org/ifr-press-releases/news/pioneering-robot-otto-wins-the-2025-iera-award 

Contact

International Federation of Robotics
PRESS OFFICER
Carsten Heer
phone +49 (0) 40 822 44 284
E-Mail: press@ifr.org