Top 13 robotics companies and startups to look out for in 2025: Leaders in AI and automation

The top robotics companies in 2025 already operate at a global scale. 

Over 4 million robots already operate in factories worldwide, showing just how quickly adoption is accelerating. The global robotics market reached $73.64 billion in 2025 and is forecast to expand to $185.37 billion by 2030.

Well-known industrial robot companies like ABB, FANUC, and KUKA remain leaders, but robotics startups are also taking over with AI-driven cobots, humanoid robots, and service bots. At the same time, small robotics companies are building affordable machines that even small manufacturers and workshops can use. 

Robotics companies and startups overview

Robotics companies and startups build machines designed to handle tasks that were once done by people. These range from large firms building industrial robots for assembly lines to small robotics companies making compact cobots or service robots.

Startups usually focus on fresh ideas, such as humanoid robots, social companions, or AI robotics companies that combine advanced software with hardware. 

Established players dominate areas like automotive and electronics, while emerging robotics companies are finding opportunities in education, healthcare, and logistics. Together, they cover both heavy-duty automation and accessible, everyday robotics.

Top 13 robotics companies and startups in 2025: TL;DR

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Top robotics companies and startups to watch

Top robotics companies and startups to watch in 2025 are discussed one by one in detail below: 

1. Standard Bots

Standard Bots is a U.S.-based robotics company focused on cobots. Its main product, the Core, is listed at $37,000, which makes it one of the lower-priced cobots in its class. Many competitors don’t provide public pricing, so this figure is a verified benchmark rather than an estimate.

Core combines a 1.3-meter reach, 18-kilogram payload, and ±0.025 mm repeatability, giving it the precision needed for machine tending, assembly, and light fabrication work. It also uses AI-based programming support to simplify deployment, which helps smaller manufacturers that may not have dedicated robotics engineers. 

2. Boston Dynamics

Boston Dynamics builds mobile robots for field inspection and R&D. Spot handles autonomous inspections across sites like plants and construction projects, while Atlas remains a research platform for advanced mobility.  Boston Dynamics focuses less on factory automation and more on robots that can navigate real-world environments. 

Spot, for example, is often deployed in construction sites, power plants, and oil and gas facilities to handle routine inspections in areas that may be unsafe for people. Atlas remains primarily a research robot, used to explore what is possible in balance, agility, and human-like movement.

3. Honeybee Robotics (Blue Origin)

Honeybee Robotics designs systems for extreme environments. The company has a long history of working with NASA, contributing robotic systems that have been used on Mars rovers and other space missions. Its engineering focus is on building machines that can withstand harsh conditions such as deep space, high radiation, or undersea exploration.

Unlike manufacturers that concentrate on factory automation, Honeybee often works on highly customized projects. These can include robotic drills, sampling devices, or mechanisms for spacecraft and satellites. Its reputation comes from being able to solve problems in environments where standard industrial robots cannot operate.

4. Advanced Motion & Controls (AMP)

Advanced Motion & Controls, often shortened to AMP, is a full-service robotics integrator. The company focuses on designing and delivering custom automation systems for industries like automotive, food processing, and general manufacturing. 

Its strength lies in combining hardware with tailored software so that robots can fit smoothly into existing production setups. AMP’s work typically covers everything from selecting the right industrial arms to building the control systems that keep them running efficiently. 

This end-to-end approach is why businesses that need more than an off-the-shelf robot consider AMP. 

5. Doosan Robotics

Doosan Robotics is one of South Korea’s major players in cobots. The company is pushing into global markets with a broad portfolio of cobots.

Its cobots are designed with flexibility in mind, often used in pick-and-place and machine tending. Doosan has also invested in making its robots easier to program, offering interfaces that shorten the setup process for new users. This has helped it attract both large manufacturers and smaller businesses exploring automation for the first time.

The company’s focus on safety-rated designs and user-friendly programming places it in the same competitive space as Universal Robots, but with an emphasis on scaling globally at a rapid pace.

6. UBTECH Robotics

UBTECH Robotics, based in China, has built its reputation around humanoid and service robots. Unlike companies focused on industrial arms, UBTECH develops robots for education, consumer use, and public-facing roles. 

Its Alpha Mini humanoid, for example, is widely used in schools for interactive learning, while larger robots have been showcased for customer service and entertainment.

The company’s strategy has been to make humanoid robots more accessible, both in cost and functionality. Its robots often feature expressive movements, speech interaction, and the ability to integrate with educational software.

By targeting education and consumer segments, UBTECH demonstrates how robotics in 2025 isn’t limited to factories. It shows the growing demand for robots that can teach, assist, or simply engage with people outside of industrial settings.

7. Furhat Robotics

Furhat Robotics, a company from Sweden, focuses on social robots designed to interact naturally with people. Its robots are known for a projected face technology that can display a wide range of human-like expressions. This design allows the robot to maintain eye contact and change its appearance, which makes interactions feel more personal.

The main applications for Furhat’s robots are in education, healthcare, and customer service, where communication and trust are important. For example, they’ve been used in language learning and as companions in research studies on human-robot interaction. 

Unlike traditional industrial robots, Furhat’s systems are not built for physical tasks but for conversation and engagement. This makes it stand out among the most innovative robotics companies of 2025.

8. Rethink Robotics

Rethink Robotics, originally founded in the U.S., gained attention with its cobots Baxter and Sawyer. These robots were designed to work safely alongside people, featuring sensors and gesture-based programming that made them approachable for small manufacturers.

Although the company faced challenges in its early years, it continues to operate under new ownership in Germany, with a focus on research and education markets. Baxter and Sawyer are still used as teaching tools in labs and training centers, where their intuitive interfaces help students and researchers experiment with automation.

Rethink’s contribution lies in pioneering the concept of cobots that don’t require complex programming or safety cages. While its commercial impact has been limited compared to newer competitors, its influence on collaborative robotics remains clear.

9. ABB

ABB is a Swiss-based industrial automation giant with one of the largest global footprints in robotics. The company operates across automotive, electronics, and general manufacturing, with robots installed in factories worldwide. ABB's strength lies in high-payload industrial arms and comprehensive automation systems that integrate with factory-wide operations.

ABB's robot portfolio spans from compact units for precision assembly to heavy-duty models capable of handling payloads over 800 kg. The company's IRB series covers welding, painting, material handling, and machine tending applications. 

For manufacturers prioritizing established technology and global support networks, ABB remains a leading choice. The company's extensive service infrastructure and decades of industrial automation experience make it particularly attractive for large-scale installations and mission-critical applications where reliability and proven performance matter most.

10. FANUC

FANUC, headquartered in Japan, is one of the best-known names in industrial automation. Its robots are recognized for reliability and large-scale deployment, especially in automotive and electronics factories. The company offers a wide range of six-axis arms, SCARA robots, and collaborative units, with models that handle everything from micro-assembly to heavy payload welding.

FANUC surpassed one million industrial robots shipped in August 2023, reflecting decades of global deployment in automotive and electronics. Its controllers and software are designed for high uptime, which is why FANUC equipment is often found in plants that operate around the clock.

Unlike smaller robotics startups that focus on emerging niches, FANUC’s strength is consistency at scale. Its systems are widely adopted by manufacturers that value proven technology and long product life cycles.

11. KUKA

KUKA, a German robotics company, is widely recognized for its bright orange industrial robots used in automotive plants worldwide. Its lineup in 2025 spans from light-duty arms for electronics assembly to heavy-payload models for welding and palletizing.

The company has also developed a strong presence in collaborative robotics with its LBR iisy cobot, designed for flexible tasks in smaller workshops. Alongside hardware, KUKA provides software platforms that integrate robots with factory systems, giving manufacturers more control over mixed automation setups.

KUKA’s long history in automotive manufacturing remains its core strength, but its newer focus on adaptable cobots shows how even established companies are responding to demand for smaller-scale automation.

12. Yaskawa Motoman

Yaskawa Motoman, part of Japan’s Yaskawa Electric Corporation, has a long track record in industrial robotics and motion control. Its robots are used in welding, assembly, and material handling, with models that support a wide range of payloads and applications.

Yaskawa continues to focus on sectors like automotive and electronics, where precision welding and repetitive assembly are important. Its controllers are often highlighted for their ability to coordinate multiple robots at once, which is valuable for complex production lines.

Compared with other industrial robot companies, Yaskawa is known for combining robotics with its expertise in drives and motion systems. This background in motion control gives its robots smooth, reliable operation that appeals to manufacturers needing consistent performance.

13. Agility Robotics

Agility Robotics, based in the United States, develops humanoid robots designed for mobility and logistics. Its most recognized model, Digit, is built to walk on two legs and handle tasks such as moving packages or navigating spaces designed for people.

In 2025, Digit is currently piloted for tote transfer and other repetitive tasks in facilities run by Amazon and GXO/SPANX. The robot can carry and place boxes, assist with sorting, and work alongside human staff without major changes to the environment.

Agility’s approach is different from companies focused on factory automation. Instead of stationary arms or cobots, it is creating general-purpose humanoids that can adapt to dynamic settings. This positions the company at the intersection of robotics and workforce support in logistics.

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Trends in robotics companies in 2025

Robotics trends in 2025 center on AI-driven adaptability, lower entry costs, niche specialization, rapid funding, and regional strengths in the U.S., Asia, and Europe.

• AI-driven robotics: AI robotics companies are leading the shift toward adaptive robots that can learn new tasks and adjust to changing environments.
• Affordable automation: Small robotics companies are lowering upfront costs and simplifying programming, making robots accessible to smaller manufacturers and workshops.
• Niche specialization: Emerging robotics companies are focusing on areas like healthcare, education, and social robotics, where tailored solutions are in demand.
• Rapid growth through investment: The fastest-growing robotics companies are scaling quickly because of funding and adoption in high-need sectors.
• Regional strengths: Robotics startups in the USA are raising major investment, Asia continues to dominate consumer and industrial robotics, and Europe is carving out leadership in social and research-focused projects.

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ROI and adoption for small businesses

ROI and adoption for small businesses in 2025 highlight how cobots deliver fast payback and practical automation options. Affordable robots are no longer limited to big factories, as small and mid-size shops now see returns within 12 to 24 months while keeping upfront costs manageable.

• Faster payback: Cobots often deliver ROI within 12 to 24 months, making them a practical option even for smaller operations.
• Labor shortages: Many small manufacturers and logistics providers adopt robots to fill roles that are hard to staff, keeping production consistent.
• Lower entry costs: Small robotics companies are offering compact cobots with lower upfront investment, reducing barriers for first-time adopters.
• Integration savings: All-in-one models, such as Standard Bots Core, reduce integration expenses with built-in software and simplified programming.
• Broader applications: Small businesses use cobots for machine tending, packaging, sanding, and other repetitive tasks that free workers for higher-value jobs.

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Summing up

The best robotics companies in 2025 range from industrial giants to startups building AI-powered machines. Leaders like ABB, FANUC, and KUKA still dominate factory floors, while new players such as Standard Bots, Agility Robotics, and Figure AI are expanding what robots can do in logistics, education, and service.

For manufacturers, the big shift is accessibility. Cobots now deliver industrial-grade precision at entry-level prices, cutting integration barriers that once kept small shops out of automation. With ROI measured in 12 to 24 months and robots ready to tackle tasks from machine tending to packaging, 2025 is the year to test a pilot cell and see measurable gains.

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Next steps with Standard Bots’ robotic solutions

Looking to upgrade your automation game? Standard Bots Thor is built for big jobs, while Core is the perfect six-axis cobot addition to any manufacturing setup, delivering unbeatable precision and flexibility.

• Affordable and adaptable: Core costs $37K. Thor lists at $49.5K. Get high-precision automation at half the cost of comparable robots.
• Perfected precision: With a repeatability of ±0.025 mm, both Core and Thor handle even the most delicate tasks.
• Real collaborative power: Core's 18 kg payload conquers demanding palletizing jobs, and Thor's 30 kg payload crushes heavy-duty operations.
• AI-driven simplicity: Equipped with AI capabilities on par with GPT-4, Core and Thor integrate smoothly with end-of-line operations for advanced automation.
• Safety-first design: Machine vision and collision detection mean Core and Thor work safely alongside human operators.

Schedule your on-site demo with our engineers today and see how Standard Bots Core and Thor can bring AI-powered greatness to your shop floor. 

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FAQs

1. What are the best robotics companies in 2025?

The best robotics companies in 2025 are ABB, FANUC, KUKA, Yaskawa, Boston Dynamics, Standard Bots, and Agility Robotics. ABB and FANUC continue to dominate industrial automation with millions of robots installed worldwide, especially in automotive and electronics. KUKA and Yaskawa provide strong competition in welding, assembly, and motion control. 

At the same time, Boston Dynamics is setting standards in mobility, Standard Bots is making cobots more affordable for small manufacturers, and Agility Robotics is pushing humanoid robots into logistics. Together, they represent the range of innovation happening in robotics today.

2. Which robotics startups are emerging as leaders this year?

The robotics startups emerging as leaders in 2025 include Standard Bots and Doosan Robotics. Standard Bots is gaining traction with its Core cobot, listed at $37K, which offers high precision at a lower cost than many competitors. Doosan Robotics is offering a wide range of cobots suited for industries from electronics to packaging.

3. Who are the top robotics companies in the USA?

The top robotics companies in the USA are Standard Bots, Boston Dynamics, Honeybee Robotics, and Agility Robotics. Standard Bots focuses on cobots designed for manufacturers who need affordable automation. Boston Dynamics leads in mobile and humanoid robotics, with Spot and Atlas continuing to push boundaries in inspection and research. 

Honeybee Robotics specializes in robotics for extreme environments, including space exploration with NASA. Agility Robotics is pioneering humanoids that can walk and carry loads in warehouses, addressing challenges traditional wheeled robots cannot handle.

4. What makes an AI robotics company different?

An AI robotics company is different because it creates robots that can learn, adapt, and operate beyond fixed programming. These robots use artificial intelligence to recognize objects, make decisions, and respond to changes in real time. 

For example, an AI-driven cobot can adjust grip strength depending on the part it handles, or a humanoid robot can navigate unfamiliar spaces without pre-mapped routes. This ability to adapt makes AI robotics companies central to the future of automation.

5. How much does a collaborative robot cost in 2025?

A collaborative robot in 2025 costs between $25,000 and $50,000, depending on the model, payload, and included features. For instance, the Standard Bots Core has a listed price of $37,000, making it a relatively affordable option compared to other six-axis cobots. The final cost can rise with extras such as custom grippers, integrated vision systems, or advanced software modules. 

Since not all manufacturers publish official pricing, many figures come from distributors or integrators. Still, the general trend in 2025 is toward lower entry costs, allowing small and mid-sized businesses to adopt cobots more easily.