Service robots will move from support tools to essential workers across major global industries.
Logistics, healthcare, and cleaning robots will drive adoption faster than humanoid or social robots.
Ecosystems combining hardware, AI, and services will outperform standalone robot manufacturers globally.
Modern service robots have quietly transitioned from research laboratories to practical applications in the real world. They are carrying boxes in warehouses, cleaning floors at airports, and delivering goods in controlled settings.
This is just the beginning of this technological revolution. Over the next ten years, service robots will shift from experiments to everyday business tools. Companies now prefer robots because hiring human workers is expensive and challenging.
Robots do repetitive work without displaying signs of exhaustion for an extended period of time. They cut costs and free humans for creative tasks. The usage of these innovations is considered practical economics, which is why it will reshape entire industries.
Manual employment is facing supply problems, and demand keeps rising. Healthcare systems struggle with ageing populations. Warehouses struggle to keep up with e-commerce growth. Offices and hotels want cleaner, safer spaces without hiring more staff.
Robots address these needs with precision and consistency. They also benefit from falling prices and smarter technology. Artificial intelligence helps them move around people. Better sensors help them avoid obstacles. All of this means robots work in real environments, not just in labs.
Labour shortages and rising wages will push companies to adopt robots faster than most expect. According to market research, logistics and delivery robots alone are set to generate tens of billions of dollars in revenue over the next decade.
Not all robots will matter equally. Three categories stand out. First, logistics and delivery robots will dominate. These robots already move cargo inside warehouses and distribution centers. They will soon deliver goods in airports, factories, and dense urban campuses. Their market is projected to exceed $60 billion over the next decade.
Cleaning and disinfection robots will follow closely. The pandemic boosted interest in no-contact cleaning. These robots will spread across public spaces, offices, and hospitality venues. They will save time and reduce human exposure to health risks.
Interactive and specialized robots, like kitchen robots or social assistants, are expected to advance at a steady pace. Some will start small and grow exponentially later, especially in food service and hospitality. This growth won’t be as fast as logistics robots, but it will add depth and diversity to the market.
No single company or country will own the future of service robots. The winners will be ecosystems, not lone champions. Companies with strong AI, sensor technology, and manufacturing scale will have an advantage. Hardware makers are expected to improve upon the build of these robots.
Software and AI firms will give them brains. And service platforms will deliver them to customers on flexible terms, often through subscription models.
Major companies in Asia, Europe, and North America are competing to advance materials and research. China’s robotics sector is growing fast, backed by ambitious industrial plans and government support. The United States and Japan will push innovation in autonomy and AI.
Smaller players will thrive by specializing in niche applications. The future will belong not only to robot makers but to the companies that teach robots how to work safely with humans.
Also Read: Boston Dynamics Atlas Wins Best Robot at CES 2026
Service robots have become essential to various global sectors. They are important tools that improve both business and daily life. These agents will handle dull, repetitive tasks and fill labour gaps.
These robots are also expected to create new jobs that require higher skills. The real question is not if they will shape the industry, but who will adapt fastest. In this arms race to achieve true employment efficiency, executives should prioritize readiness over size.
1. What are service robots?
Service robots are machines designed to assist humans by performing tasks in logistics, healthcare, cleaning, hospitality, and other service-based industries.
2. Why will service robots become essential by 2035?
Labour shortages, rising wages, ageing populations, and improved AI make service robots cost-effective, reliable, and necessary for businesses worldwide.
3. Which industries will benefit most from service robots?
Logistics, healthcare, retail, hospitality, and facility management will see the fastest adoption as robots handle repetitive tasks efficiently and continuously.
4. Will service robots replace human jobs completely?
Service robots will not replace humans entirely but will reduce repetitive work and create new roles in supervision, maintenance, and AI training.
5. Who will dominate the service robotics market?
No single company will dominate. Ecosystems combining hardware, AI software, manufacturing scale, and service platforms will lead the industry.