Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 6th November 2025 Issue no. 1185
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Service robots see global growth boom: cleaning robots show highest growth
According to findings presented this week by the International Federation of Robotics, following publication of its ‘World Robotics 2025 Service Robots’ report, the total number of service robots sold for professional use reached almost 200,000 units in 2024, marking a 9% increase, with cleaning robots – making up the third largest sector - showing the highest growth.
Staff shortages were considered to be a key driver for companies to use robots designed for trained professionals.
"There is strong demand for service robots in a number of different application areas," said Takayuki Ito, IFR president. "In order to integrate automation without making a heavy upfront investment, more and more companies are deciding to enter into subscription or rental agreements rather than purchasing robots outright. The ‘robot-as-a-service’ fleet (RaaS) has grown impressively by 31%."
With 102,900 units (+14%) sold in 2024, more than every other professional service robot was built for the application class transportation and logistics. These robots cover mainly mobile robots for the transport and handling of goods. While traditional sales remained the main channel of monetarisation, RaaS enjoyed growing popularity with a growth rate of 42% in 2024. Transportation in indoor environments without public traffic qualifies as the most important application class within this segment. A special chapter in World Robotics 2025 focuses on the drivers and challenges in this dynamic market.
Hospitality robots remain second place with more than 42,000 sold - down 11%. Robots for mobile guidance, information points in public environments and telepresence account for the majority of these robots. Such service robots are taking over small services or promoting sales in stores, shopping malls, or at front desks. As the sector is evolving, new applications have emerged, such as food and beverage preparation.
The market for professional cleaning robots, in third place, grew by 34% to more than 25,000 units sold, with the main application being floor cleaning.
Sales of agricultural robots rank fourth and contracted slightly by 6% with close to 19,500 units sold. The decrease was mainly driven by cultivation and milking.
For the application group of search & rescue, security robots a total number of 3,100 units were sold in 2024, placing it in fifth position up 19%. Three out of four robots in this application class were for security services.
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