North American companies ordered 10,989 robots valued at $723.5 million in Q3 2026, representing a 24.8% increase in units and 26.1% increase in value compared to the same quarter last year, driven by broad growth across automotive, semiconductors, electronics, and life sciences sectors.
- Q3 2026 Growth: 10,989 robots ordered, up 24.8% in units and 26.1% in value compared to Q3 2025
- Year-to-Date Performance: 28,984 robots valued at $1.89 billion through September, up 9.6% in units and 13.3% in value
- Diversified Market Gains: Automotive components up 90.4%, semiconductors/electronics up 97.6%, plastics/rubber up 67.7%, and metals up 37.0%
- Collaborative Robots Surge: 1,831 collaborative units ordered in Q3, up 56% year-over-year, representing 16.7% of all robot orders
- Manufacturing Momentum: ISM Manufacturing PMI at 54.5 in September marking ninth consecutive month of expansion
North American companies ordered 10,989 robots valued at $723.5 million in the third quarter of 2026, according to new data released by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3).
Orders increased 24.8% in units and 26.1% in value compared to the third quarter of 2025, making it the strongest quarter of the year so far.
The third-quarter gains pushed total orders for the first nine months of 2026 to 28,984 robots valued at approximately $1.89 billion, representing increases of 9.6% in units and 13.3% in value over the same period last year.
“What stands out in the third quarter is not simply the magnitude of the growth, but how broadly it was distributed across the market,” says Alex Shikany, EVP at A3. “Automotive OEM orders returned to positive growth, while Automotive Components and sectors such as semiconductors/electronics and life sciences posted significant gains. That broader mix is important because it points to a robotics market that is becoming increasingly diversified across industries and applications.”
Key takeaways:
· After declining during the first half of 2026, automotive OEM robot orders returned to positive year-over-year growth in the third quarter, increasing 7.5%.
· Automotive component orders climbed 90.4%, continuing the strong demand from suppliers seen earlier in the year.
· Several other industries recorded substantial increases in robot orders during Q3, including semi and electronics/photonics: +97.6% units; plastics and rubber: +67.7% units; and metals: +37.0% units.
· All other industries increased 0.5% in units ordered.
· Food and consumer goods declined 23.7%.
· Collaborative robots also posted a strong third quarter, with 1,831 units valued at $63.8 million ordered, an increase of approximately 56% in units compared to Q3 2025. Collaborative robots accounted for 16.7% of all robot units ordered during the quarter.
· Through September, North American companies ordered 4,605 collaborative robots valued at approximately $178 million, representing 15.9% of total robot units and 9.4% of order value.
· The stronger robot order numbers come alongside improving manufacturing activity. The September ISM Manufacturing PMI registered 54.5, marking a ninth consecutive month of expansion, while Federal Reserve data showed manufacturing output increasing 0.3% in September.
· Higher input costs, trade uncertainty and the timing of large manufacturing projects remain factors to watch. But with robot orders strengthening across several industries, the North American market enters the final quarter of 2026 with positive momentum.
