Global Laboratory Robotics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By End Use (Clinical Laboratory and Research Laboratory), By Application, By Product, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2024 - 2031
The Global Laboratory Robotics Market size is expected to reach $2.6 billion by 2031, rising at a market growth of 6.9% CAGR during the forecast period.
Robotic arms automate complex and repetitive tasks that require precise manipulation and control. These tasks may include transferring samples between different instruments, conducting intricate assembly processes, or performing delicate surgical procedures in biomedical research and clinical applications. In 2023, the robotic arms segment held 12% revenue share in the market. Robotic arms seamlessly integrate with other laboratory automation systems, such as liquid-handling robots, plate handlers, and imaging platforms. This integration streamlines workflow continuity by automating sequential tasks and data transfer between interconnected instruments, optimizing operational efficiency and experimental throughput.
The major strategies followed by the market participants are Product Launches as the key developmental strategy to keep pace with the changing demands of end users. For instance, in February, 2024, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. unveiled the Thermo Scientific Dionex Inuvion Ion Chromatography (IC) system, simplifying ion analysis for labs of all sizes. This new instrument is highly configurable, offering a comprehensive solution for precise detection of ionic and small polar compounds, ensuring reliable results consistently. Additionally, in November, 2023, Thermo Fisher unveiled the Thermo Scientific ARL iSpark Plus Optical Emission Spectrometer series, aiming to enhance elemental analysis in metal industries, including production, processing, recycling, and labs.
Based on the Analysis presented in the KBV Cardinal matrix; Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and Abbott Laboratories are the forerunners in the Laboratory Robotics Market. In March, 2024, Abbott unveiled GLP Systems Track, a new automation solution for laboratories, designed to meet high-volume demands while optimizing resource use and maintaining quality care. Companies such as Danaher Corporation, Siemens Healthineers AG, PerkinElmer, Inc. are some of the key innovators in Laboratory Robotics Market.
COVID-19 Impact Analysis
The pandemic disrupted global supply chains, causing delays in manufacturing and delivering laboratory robotics components and systems. This resulted in shortages and increased lead times for robotics equipment, hindering market growth and deployment. Economic uncertainties during the pandemic led many healthcare institutions, research laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies to reduce capital expenditures. This uncertainty in healthcare funding and financial planning further restrained investments in laboratory robotics infrastructure and technology upgrades. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the market.
Market Growth Factors
Automation reduces the time and effort required for routine tasks such as sample handling, preparation, and analysis. Robotic systems can perform these tasks consistently and with higher throughput than manual methods, thereby increasing overall laboratory efficiency. Robotics systems can execute tasks with high accuracy and precision, minimizing human error and variability. This is crucial in experiments requiring precise measurements, sample dispensing, and data collection, leading to more reliable experimental results. Thus, increasing automation in laboratories is driving the growth of the market.
HTS allows the rapid testing of thousands to millions of samples for biological activity, significantly speeding up drug discovery. Laboratory robots can handle large volumes of samples quickly and accurately, making them essential for HTS. Laboratory robotics ensures high precision and consistency in sample handling and processing, crucial for reliable HTS results. Manual handling of such many samples can introduce errors and variability. This makes HTS more economically feasible, encouraging its adoption and, consequently, the demand for laboratory robotics. Thus, demand for high throughput screening (HTS) drives the market's growth.
Market Restraining Factors
Purchasing laboratory robots and the associated equipment requires a substantial upfront capital investment. Many research institutions, particularly smaller labs and startups, may struggle to allocate the necessary funds for such high initial costs, limiting their ability to adopt robotics. Laboratory robots often require specialized infrastructure, such as dedicated lab spaces, power supplies, and compatible software systems. Upgrading existing facilities or constructing new ones to accommodate these needs can add to the overall costs, making it a barrier for some organizations. Therefore, high initial investment costs are hampering the growth of the market.
Product Outlook
Based on product, the market is divided into automated liquid handling robots, automated plate handlers, robotic arms, lab automation workstations, microplate readers & washers, and others. In 2023, the lab automation workstations segment garnered 36% revenue share in the market. Lab automation workstations significantly enhance laboratory efficiency by automating repetitive tasks such as sample preparation, liquid handling, and assay processing. Automated workflows reduce manual errors, improve consistency, and increase throughput, allowing laboratories to process larger samples in less time.
Application Outlook
On the basis of application, the market is segmented into drug discovery, clinical diagnosis, microbiology solutions, genomics solutions, and proteomics solutions. In 2023, the clinical diagnosis segment garnered 22% revenue share in the market. Automated systems standardize diagnostic protocols and procedures across clinical laboratories, ensuring testing methodologies and result interpretation consistency. Standardization improves inter-laboratory comparability, reduces variability in diagnostic outcomes, and enhances the reliability of diagnostic testing for healthcare providers and patients.
End-use Outlook
By end-use, the market is divided into clinical laboratory and research laboratory. In 2023, the clinical laboratory segment registered 54% revenue share in the market. Robotics facilitate integrating personalized medicine approaches into clinical practice by enabling the analysis of genetic markers, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets relevant to individual patient profiles. Automated systems support targeted therapies, pharmacogenomics testing, and disease stratification strategies, enhancing treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.
Regional Outlook
Region-wise, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA. The North America region witnessed 40% revenue share in the market in 2023. North America boasts advanced healthcare infrastructure, including well-established clinical laboratories, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies. These facilities prioritize technological innovation and automation to enhance diagnostic capabilities, research efficiency, and patient care outcomes.
Recent Strategies Deployed in the Market
- Mar-2024: Abbott unveiled GLP Systems Track, a new automation solution for laboratories, designed to meet high-volume demands while optimizing resource use and maintaining quality care. This system accommodates varying needs across different care settings by efficiently processing many test tubes daily.
- Feb-2024: Thermo Fisher Scientific announces a partnership with Multiply Labs, an American lab robotics company, to automate cell therapy production. This collaboration would increase throughput and reduce labor costs by requiring only one operator instead of the usual four to eight, while also significantly reducing the manufacturing space needed.
- Feb-2024: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. unveiled the Thermo Scientific Dionex Inuvion Ion Chromatography (IC) system, simplifying ion analysis for labs of all sizes. This new instrument is highly configurable, offering a comprehensive solution for precise detection of ionic and small polar compounds, ensuring reliable results consistently.
- Dec-2023: Hudson Robotics announced the acquisition of Tomtec Inc., an automated liquid handling instruments company in Hamden, Conn. This acquisition enhances Hudson's liquid handling capabilities with a 96-head automated handler and marks their entry into the bioanalytic sample preparation segment, expanding their R&D market presence.
- Nov-2023: Thermo Fisher unveiled the Thermo Scientific ARL iSpark Plus Optical Emission Spectrometer series, aiming to enhance elemental analysis in metal industries, including production, processing, recycling, and labs. This new line promises swift and dependable spectral analysis, crucial for achieving productivity, quality, and environmental goals.
List of Key Companies Profiled
- Peak Analysis and Automation Ltd (PAA)
- PerkinElmer, Inc.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
- Hudson Robotics, Inc.
- Anton Paar GmbH
- Danaher Corporation (Beckman Coulter, Inc.)
- Siemens Healthineers AG (Siemens AG)
- AB Controls, Inc.
- Abbott Laboratories
- BIOMÉRIEUX
Global Laboratory Robotics Market Report Segmentation
By End Use
- Clinical Laboratory
- Research Laboratory
By Application
- Drug Discovery
- Genomics Solutions
- Clinical Diagnosis
- Proteomics Solutions
- Microbiology Solutions
By Product
- Lab Automation Workstations
- Automated Plate Handlers
- Automated Liquid Handling Robots
- Robotic Arms
- Microplate Readers and Washers
- Others
By Geography
- North America
- US
- Canada
- Mexico
- Rest of North America
- Europe
- Germany
- UK
- France
- Russia
- Spain
- Italy
- Rest of Europe
- Asia Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- South Korea
- Australia
- Malaysia
- Rest of Asia Pacific
- LAMEA
- Brazil
- Argentina
- UAE
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Nigeria
- Rest of LAMEA