Over the past five years, the industrial robot market in Russia has undergone a difficult but dynamic transformation. Against the backdrop of global automation, domestic industry has accelerated the introduction of robotic solutions, despite sanctions, technological barriers, and limited local production. The period from 2019 to 2024 has been key in shaping a new development model, with a reorientation toward Asian markets, growth in domestic production, and increased government support.
According to IFR data, in 2022, global industrial robot installations exceeded 500,000 units, which is a historic high. This indicates that the robotics market is not just developing — it is becoming a systemic element in the new industrial model. Russia, although lagging behind in absolute terms, is nevertheless demonstrating steady progress.
It is noteworthy that even in conditions of technological isolation and logistical constraints, Russian companies are striving to modernize and digitize their production. Robotization is becoming a necessary element of competitiveness, especially in sectors with a high proportion of manual labor, a shortage of personnel, and a need to ensure the accuracy and repeatability of operations.
Robot manufacturing volumes
In 2019–2021, the production of industrial robots in Russia remained at the level of dozens of units per year. Almost the entire market was dependent on imports: foreign robots accounted for 95–100% of all installations. During this period, Russian companies were only forming their engineering and manufacturing base. According to estimates, the number of actual industrial robot manufacturers in 2021 did not exceed 10–12 companies.
The shift occurred in 2022–2023. Government programs, sanctions pressure, and the development of local integrators stimulated growth. By 2023, there were 73 companies operating in the field of robotics in Russia, 19 of which produced solutions for industrial tasks. Seven of them specialized in manipulators and collaborative systems.
Notable players include Eidos Robotics (Tatarstan), which is participating in the KAMAZ automation project, and the Robot Factory in the Chelyabinsk region, which planed to produce 450 robots in 2024, with subsequent expansion to 1,000 per year. At the same time, despite the growth, the share of local production in the total volume of installations in 2023 remained insignificant.
According to the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, production volumes increased 2.5 times in 2024 compared to 2023. In volume terms, we are still talking about several hundred units per year. However, the trend is clear: industrial robotics is moving out of the pilot launch stage and forming a sustainable direction within national projects. The launch of serial production of Promobot M13 manipulators in Perm confirms the transition from laboratory solutions to industrial series.
Figure 1. Production volume of industrial robots in Russia, units.
Source: Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, estimates of Delovoy Profil
In addition to volume growth, another important trend has been the emergence of competence centers—associations of universities, research institutes, and business platforms working toward a single goal: reproducible and competitive domestic production. Some technology parks, such as those in Tula and Ulyanovsk, have begun to develop full-cycle systems — from mechanics to firmware and quality control.
Robot consumption (installations) volumes
The number of industrial robots put into operation in Russia has grown steadily: from 1,300 units in 2019 to 1,950 units in 2024.
Figure 2. Number of industrial robot installations in Russia, units.
Over the past five years, the volume of annual installations has increased by approximately 40%. It is noteworthy that in 2022, despite sanctions pressure, consumption levels remained at the 2021 level. This was made possible by a shift in focus to Asian markets and the use of parallel imports.
At the same time, despite the growth in the number of robot installations, Russia still lags significantly behind other countries. In 2023, more than 276,000 robots were installed in China, about 32,000 in South Korea, and about 26,000 in Germany. Nevertheless, Russia is steadily closing the gap thanks to targeted support measures and the launch of educational initiatives.
Figure 3. Comparison of the number of industrial robot installations in Russia and other countries in 2023, units.
Source: IFR, Business Profile estimate
According to Robotunion.ru, by the end of 2024, there were 14,382 industrial robots in operation in Russia, 12% more than in 2023 (12,841 units).
Total number of industrial robots in Russia, units.
Source: Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, estimates of Delovoy Profil
Import and export of robots
Until 2022, the Russian market was almost entirely dependent on imports. The key players were:
- KUKA (Germany),
- FANUC (Japan),
- ABB (Switzerland/Sweden),
- Yaskawa (Japan),
- and other brands (Omron, Staubli, Comau).
Imports grew until 2021, when it peaked at $43.6 million in value terms. Then changes began.
Since 2022, China's share in the import structure has grown from 11.6% to 57.6%. While supplies from the US, Japan, and the EU have fallen dramatically, Chinese EFORT, CRP, Estun, and others have filled the vacated niches. Parallel imports through Turkey and the UAE have also increased.
Taking into account the number of robot installations and production volumes, the estimated volume of imports is at least 1,550 robots in 2023 and at least 1,350 units in 2024. At the same time, according to industry experts, import volumes remained at 1,500 units per year in 2023–2024.
Figure 4. Estimated robot import volumes, units.
Exports remained symbolic. Some companies, such as Promobot, supply service robots to dozens of countries, but industrial systems hardly ever leave the Russian Federation.
Russian robot manufacturers and localization
After Western brands left, Russian companies began to actively develop their own product ranges. Among them are:
Promobot (Perm): manufactures service robots and, since 2024, industrial robot manipulators;
Aripix Robotics — specializes in manipulators and logistics solutions. In 2022, revenue grew by 91%.
Robotech — production of 4- and 6-axis industrial robotic manipulators with Russian localization of components and software.
CRP Russia — a joint venture with China focused on the production of welding robots, assembly cells, and linear modules.
Rosatom — ambitions to capture 50% of the market, launch of serial production.
It is important to note not only the growth in the number of companies, but also the expansion of the range of tasks: from simple pick-and-place systems to automatic welding and assembly lines. In addition, software localization has become a new focus of development — we are talking about SCADA systems, computer vision modules, and digital twins.
It is also worth noting the role of educational programs aimed at training specialists in robot integration and maintenance. Joint projects between universities and businesses have made it possible to create applied laboratories and training grounds.
Areas of application for robots
According to data from the National Research University Higher School of Economics and Expert.ru, in 2023 industrial robotics was used:
by 35% of pharmaceutical companies,
by 25% of food manufacturers,
and by less than 20% of the automotive, metallurgy, and machine-building industries.
Growing interest is also observed from logistics centers, packaging companies, raw materials processing companies, and the electronics industry. The development of e-commerce is stimulating the automation of warehouses, and new sanitary requirements are stimulating the use of robots in medicine and laboratories.
Distribution of robot applications by industry
Source: HSE University, Expert.ru, estimates of Delovoy Profil
Depending on the functions they perform, robots can be divided into several categories:
- Manipulator robots: the most common type, performing tasks such as moving, gripping, welding, and assembly. They are used in the automotive industry, metalworking, and warehouses.
- Collaborative robots (cobots): work side by side with humans and do not require protective barriers. They are ideal for light operations, farming, and electronics assembly.
- Pick-and-place robots: high speed and accuracy — used in packaging and the food industry.
- Welding robots: ensure consistent weld quality and are widely used in mechanical engineering.
- Control and inspection robots: use cameras and sensors to inspect products, especially in electronics and pharmaceuticals.
Since 2022, Russian manufacturers have been developing analogues of all these categories.
Economic efficiency of robot implementation
The cost of a single industrial robot in Russia in 2024 averages between 1.5 and 5 million rubles. Complex cells (with peripheral equipment and software) can cost between 8 and 12 million rubles. Implementation times range from 3 to 9 months, depending on complexity.
At the same time, according to the Association of Integrators, the average payback period for industrial robots in Russia is between 2.5 and 4.5 years. The fastest payback periods are in logistics, packaging, the food industry, and e-commerce. In mechanical engineering and metalworking, the payback period is longer — up to 6 years.
Compared to traditional technologies, replacing one work cycle (two shifts) with a robot saves between 1.2 and 1.6 million rubles per year in labor costs. Given the rising cost of hiring and the declining availability of skilled labor, robotization in a number of segments is becoming not just competitive, but strategically necessary.
Key trends and promising technologies
Integration of AI and computer vision
Since 2022, there has been growing interest in the implementation of AI systems for analysis, calibration, and predictive diagnostics of industrial robots. Domestic companies (in particular, VisionLabs and Smartengy) offer solutions based on OpenAI and Python platforms for visual control and adjustment of working trajectories.
Autonomous robotic systems
Autonomous transport platforms with LIDAR and RTK-GNSS navigation elements are being actively introduced in logistics and warehousing. Such solutions are being promoted by startups from Moscow, Kazan, and Yekaterinburg. In 2024, Aripix Robotics announced the start of serial deliveries of AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) based on its own platform.
Modularity and customization
A new trend is the development of modular solutions that allow manipulators to be quickly adapted to specific production tasks. Robotech (Perm) offers open interfaces for quick reconfiguration of operating modes. This is relevant for small production facilities with a rapidly changing product range.
Analysis of barriers and risks in the development of the industrial robot market in Russia
Technological and production barriers
Despite the growth in domestic production, key components of industrial robots (servo drives, gearboxes, control elements) are mainly imported. In 2024, the average localization level did not exceed 35–40%, even among leading domestic manufacturers.
The lack of a domestic school of industrial automation and electronic components limits the possibilities for large-scale import substitution and complicates independence from global supply chains.
Shortage of engineering and applied personnel
The market is acutely aware of the shortage of qualified specialists: software engineers, debuggers, and system integrators. Up to 30% of vacancies in the industrial automation segment remain unfilled, especially in the regions. The reasons for this are insufficient training facilities, low motivation among specialists, and an outflow of personnel to IT and related fields.
Financial and economic barriers
The high cost of robotics implementation projects (1.5–10 million rubles per unit of equipment) limits demand from small and medium-sized businesses. At the same time, access to credit and subsidies is limited for companies with low digital maturity. The level of risk insurance for the implementation of new technology remains low.
Sanctions and logistical restrictions
Since 2022, the Russian market has lost access to a number of key technologies and software of Western origin (Siemens, KUKA, ABB, Bosch). This has led to a need to reorient towards China, Turkey, and Southeast Asia, which has increased delivery times and complicated technical integration.
Forecast for 2025: robotization is accelerating
If production volumes remain at the current level, by the end of 2025, Russia will have introduced 2,000–2,400 new robots, and the total number in operation will reach 16,300–17,000.
This means that the country could move closer to the secondrank of world leaders if the investment course is maintained. The main drivers for achieving such results are:
- state support for the creation and expansion of production facilities,
- localization of production (more than 70 production facilities within the framework of national projects),
- expansion of areas of application (logistics, agriculture, warehouse automation),
- strengthening ties with China and Southeast Asia.
Forecast models from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the National Research University Higher School of Economics indicate a possible increase in robotization density to 25–30 units per 10,000 workers by 2025. This will be an important indicator of the industry's maturity.
Summary
The Russian industrial robot market is entering a phase of large-scale growth. The departure of Western players has triggered a transformation: today, Chinese suppliers, Russian integrators, and state-owned corporations are at the forefront. Despite modest performance indicators so far, the foundation has been laid for a qualitative leap forward.
If current plans are implemented and state support is maintained, up to 16-17 thousand industrial robots will be working in Russian factories by 2025. By 2030, the country expects to enter the top 25 in terms of robotization density. In this ambitious scenario, industrial automation will become not just a trend, but an essential part of national technological security.
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