Soft Robotics Market - Global Forecast 2025-2032

The soft robotics market is rapidly transforming automation, driven by rising adoption across key industrial verticals that demand adaptive, safe, and precise robotic solutions. Senior executives are seeking actionable insights into segment trends, regional opportunities, and strategic maneuvers necessary for sustained competitiveness in this evolving sector.

Market Snapshot: Soft Robotics Market Growth Overview

The Soft Robotics Market grew from USD 1.68 billion in 2024 to USD 1.98 billion in 2025. It is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 18.56%, reaching USD 6.59 billion by 2032. This strong upward trajectory is being propelled by innovation in materials, advanced sensor technologies, and the demand for automation in unstructured environments. The market landscape is expanding as manufacturers, system integrators, and end-users embrace adaptable systems that offer enhanced human-machine collaboration and compliance.

Scope & Segmentation of the Soft Robotics Market

• Type: Soft actuators, soft end-effector robots, soft grippers, soft wearable robots
• Materials: Elastomers, hydrogels, silicones
• Technology: Actuation systems, control systems, gripping systems
• Application: Automotive, entertainment and gaming, food and beverages, logistics, medical and healthcare, survey and exploration
• Region: Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru), Europe (United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Switzerland), Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Israel), Africa (South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan)
• Key Companies: ABB Ltd., AUBO (Beijing) Robotics Technology Co., Ltd, Avidbots Corp., Cyberdyne Inc., DENSO Corporation, Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc., ETH Zurich Soft Robotics Lab, FANUC Corporation, Festo AG & Co. KG, HELIX Robotics Solutions Limited, iCOBOTS Ltd., igus GmbH, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Kinova Inc., Omron Corporation, ReWalk Robotics Ltd., Rochu Soft Robotic Gripper, Schmalz Group, Shadow Robot Company, Soft Robot Technology Co., Ltd., Soft Robotics and Bionics Laboratory, Soft Robotics Inc., SoftGripping GmbH, TECHMAN ROBOT INC., Universal Robots A/S

Key Takeaways for Senior Decision-Makers

• Soft robotics is enabling a shift from rigid automation to systems capable of delicate manipulation, making them ideal for sectors requiring human-robot interaction and complex task handling.
• Material science advances, especially in elastomers and hydrogels, are driving improved durability, flexibility, and biocompatibility, facilitating broader application and longer device lifespans.
• Stakeholder collaborations, including open-source initiatives and industry-academia partnerships, are accelerating the pace of innovation and enabling rapid prototyping and market entry.
• Regional diversification, regulatory adaptation, and local capacity building are critical for mitigating supply chain disruptions and supporting sustained growth in global markets.
• Companies integrating modular, sensor-rich architectures can shorten deployment cycles and address diverse operational environments efficiently, providing a clear pathway to competitive differentiation.

Tariff Impact: Navigating 2025 United States Trade Dynamics

The upcoming 2025 United States tariffs on critical soft robotics components are prompting businesses to overhaul their sourcing and manufacturing strategies. Import duties have heightened cost pressures, leading many integrators to develop domestic material alternatives or relocate key production steps. These shifts strengthen supply chain resilience, ensure cost control, and foster regional partnerships, allowing agile companies to sustain growth despite changing trade environments.

Methodology & Data Sources

This analysis combines primary interviews with industry leaders in compliant robotics, system integrators, and research heads, as well as secondary research from academic journals, patent literature, and regulatory documents. Data triangulation and expert panel reviews ensure high confidence in trends, challenges, and opportunities identified within the soft robotics market.

Why This Report Matters

• Offers strategic guidance for investment decisions by clearly mapping emerging technologies, applications, and regional developments relevant to the soft robotics industry.
• Reduces uncertainty by analyzing upcoming policy changes and market dynamics, supporting proactive risk mitigation and operational agility.
• Empowers senior executives with practical recommendations to leverage automation advances, forge effective partnerships, and future-proof their technology roadmap.

Conclusion

Soft robotics is redefining industrial automation through adaptive, safe, and collaborative technology. Stakeholders who embrace these innovations and flexible strategies will be optimally positioned in an evolving market landscape.