Automation and Controls Market Report 2026

The automation and controls market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $152.66 billion in 2025 to $166.99 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing adoption of plc and scada systems, rising industrial automation in manufacturing, increasing need for process optimization, advancements in hmi and pac technologies, demand for efficient energy management systems.

The automation and controls market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $239.44 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to integration with AI and machine learning, expansion of iot-enabled industrial automation, adoption of cloud-based mes solutions, growth of smart buildings and industrial facilities, increasing focus on safety and security automation. Major trends in the forecast period include integration of plc, scada, and pac systems, real-time monitoring and control solutions, energy efficiency and smart hvac automation, enhanced safety and security automation, cloud-based manufacturing execution systems (mes).

The growing adoption of Industry 4.0 and smart factory concepts is anticipated to drive the expansion of the automatic visual inspection systems market in the coming years. These concepts involve integrating advanced technologies such as IoT, artificial intelligence, and automation to establish interconnected, intelligent, and highly efficient industrial operations. Smart factory initiatives facilitate real-time monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and autonomous quality control on production lines, thereby generating strong demand for automatic visual inspection systems. For example, in September 2024, the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), a Germany-based non-profit organization, reported that industrial robot installations in the UK increased by 51%, reaching 3,830 units, while over 50,000 units were installed in the Americas for the third consecutive year, totaling 55,389 units in 2023. As a result, the rising implementation of Industry 4.0 and smart factory practices is propelling the growth of the automatic visual inspection systems market.

Major companies in the automatic visual inspection systems market are concentrating on developing innovative solutions, such as Cohu's DI-Core analytics platform, to maintain a competitive edge. The DI-Core analytics platform is an artificial intelligence (AI)-based inspection software that improves visual inspection accuracy. It is designed to enhance equipment performance and support Industry 4.0 and factory automation initiatives within the semiconductor manufacturing sector. For instance, in November 2023, Cohu Inc., a US-based semiconductor test handling equipment provider, launched the DI-Core analytics platform, a new AI inspection software that enables real-time processing and improves visual inspection accuracy for semiconductor manufacturers operating at production speeds. The platform distinguishes micro-scale defects from cosmetic patterns more precisely than existing methods by leveraging proprietary deep learning and neural network technologies, aiming to increase inspection yield without compromising quality.

In October 2023, Rockwell Automation Inc., a US-based industrial automation company, completed the acquisition of Clearpath Robotics Inc. for an undisclosed sum. Through this acquisition, Rockwell Automation seeks to broaden its autonomous robotics offerings and accelerate the creation of intelligent material handling solutions for smart manufacturing settings. Clearpath Robotics Inc. is a Canada-based company specializing in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and industrial automation technologies.

Major companies operating in the automation and controls market are Hitachi Ltd.; Siemens AG; General Electric Company; Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; Schneider Electric SE; Honeywell International Inc.; ABB Group; Johnson Controls International PLC; Emerson Electric Co.; Parker Hannifin Corporation; Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.; Delta Electronics Inc.; Rockwell Automation Inc.; Bosch Rexroth AG; OMRON Corporation; Keyence Corporation; Fanuc Corporation; Dassault Systèmes SE; Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.; Yaskawa Electric Corporation; KUKA AG; Yokogawa Electric Corporation; Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG; Rittal GmbH & Co. KG; SICK AG; Advantech Co. Ltd.; Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG; National Instruments Corporation; AVEVA Group PLC; B&R Industrial Automation GmbH; Universal Robots A/S.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the automation and controls market in 2025. The regions covered in the automation and controls market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the automation and controls market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Tariffs have influenced the automation and controls market by raising costs and causing delays in the supply of critical components such as plc modules, scada hardware, hmi devices, and pac controllers imported from major manufacturing hubs. Segments like plc and distributed control systems (dcs) are most affected, with regions such as North America and Europe facing supply chain disruptions due to dependency on imports. However, tariffs have encouraged local manufacturing, promoted innovation in cost-effective automation solutions, and driven investment in regionally sourced components, creating opportunities for market growth.

The automation and controls market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides automation and controls market statistics, including automation and controls industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a automation and controls market share, detailed automation and controls market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the automation and controls industry. This automation and controls market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Automation and control refer to the use of technology and systems to monitor and manage the production and delivery of products and services with minimal or no human intervention. Automation involves the use of various equipment and control systems, on the other hand, control involves the use of technology to regulate and manage the operation of machines and systems to achieve desired outcomes.

The main product types of automation and controls are programmable logic controllers (PLC), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), programmable automation controllers (PAC), distributed control systems (DCS), human-machine interfaces (HMI), and manufacturing execution systems (MES). Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are smart computers that control machines in factories by following instructions to make things move and work correctly. They are used in various applications such as lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), safety and security and others, and are used by several end users such as residential, commercial, industrial, oil and gas, mining and metals, automotive and transportation, manufacturing electrical and electronics, and others.

The automation and controls market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as installation and integration, training, consulting and design, maintenance and support, and remote monitoring. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The automation and control market also includes sales of industrial PCs (UPC), motion control systems, industrial networking equipment, building automation systems (BAS), and process analytical technology (PAT) systems. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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