Robot sales for moving goods keep climbing, and fulfillment operators are scaling the machines that pay back today while humanoids stay in testing. Here are the numbers and the moves worth knowing.
Service robot sales rise 24%, led by robots that move goods
· Market
The International Federation of Robotics says shipments of professional service robots grew 24% to almost 250,000 units in 2025. Transport and logistics robots stayed the largest group, with 117,500 units sold, up 21% and 47% of the total. The figures come from IFR's World Robotics 2026 report, released in Frankfurt.
Why it matters: Robots that move totes, carts and pallets are now the mainstream warehouse purchase. More makers and more reference sites give buyers firmer ground when negotiating price, service levels and support terms.
GXO heads toward 20,000 robots, with no humanoids yet in production
· Deployment
GXO Logistics expects to have nearly 20,000 robots operating across its network by the end of 2026. It has completed 45 humanoid pilots without moving one into production. CEO Patrick Kelleher pointed to hand dexterity and picking speed as the gaps and estimated production use is probably about two years away.
Why it matters: Mobile robots already pay back at scale, while humanoids still have to match human picking speed. A scoped trial with agreed measures, the way the THG Pilot program is set up, keeps that test honest.
InOrbit releases open-source reference software for ISO 21423 robot fleets
· Standards
InOrbit released OpenRobOps, open-source robot operations and fleet management software under the Apache 2.0 license, described as the first reference implementation of ISO 21423. The standard defines how industrial mobile robots and fleet managers exchange data so machines from different vendors can share a site; ten companies demonstrated it together at Automate 2026.
Why it matters: Most warehouses end up running robots from more than one maker. Ask every vendor which interoperability standards they support, so new fleets can share maps, traffic rules and one dashboard.
Pudu Robotics launches the MP2000 autonomous pallet handler for 2,000 kg loads
· Launch
Pudu Robotics unveiled the MP2000, an autonomous pallet-handling robot for warehouses, loading docks and line-side storage that carries up to 2,000 kg, with pallet pickup cycles as fast as 20 seconds. It uses 3D lidar and depth cameras to avoid obstacles, coordinates with other Pudu robots and can be switched to manual use as a powered forklift.
Why it matters: Autonomous pallet movers now come from service-robot makers as well as forklift brands. Compare pallet types, lift height, manual override and local certification on each model; the THG Import and compliance desk covers that last check.
Amazon plans €10B European upgrade with new Proteus and STARK robots
· Deployment
Amazon said it will invest more than €10 billion over the coming years to expand and modernize European fulfillment centers. A next-generation Proteus mobile robot that takes spoken directions is in lab pilots, with European deployment planned for the first half of 2027, and the STARK tote-handling system, first piloted in Barcelona, is due at 15 European sites by 2027.
Why it matters: The largest operator is pairing mobile robots with systems that lift totes off conveyors. Smaller sites can follow the same order: automate long cart runs and repetitive tote handling first.
Locus Robotics launches Locus Array, a mobile robot that picks in the aisle
· Launch
Locus Robotics unveiled Locus Array, a mobile robot with an integrated picking arm and AI vision that picks, puts away and slots inventory directly in warehouse aisles, coordinated by its LocusONE software. Early-access deployments are under way in North America, including live operations with DHL Supply Chain, ahead of planned expansion into Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Why it matters: Piece picking is the step most warehouses still staff by hand. Robots that pick in existing aisles, rather than needing a new storage grid, make automation more realistic for older buildings.
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