Top 7 Robotics Companies (2024): Revolutionizing Automation

Robots, once the stuff of science fiction, are now integral to all manner of industries and sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, logistics, retail, and domestic services. Among the many use cases of modern robotics are autonomous drones, cargo robots, surgical and dental robots, robotic exoskeletons, agricultural robots, and warehouse automation systems—plus the occasional robot bartender. There are also various subcategories of robots to consider, ranging from large industrial robots to smaller “cobots”—collaborative robots that work alongside humans.

The growth in robotics and automation has led to a boom for robotics companies, with many now vying for market dominance. With that in mind, we analyzed the robotics sector to help you discover the best robotics company for your organization or use case based on industrial focus, product range, market impact, and key technologies. Here are our top picks for best robotics companies of 2024:

ABB: Best for Diverse Manufacturing Applications

Anduril: Best for Defense and National Security

Vecna Robotics: Best for Material Handling Automation

Boston Dynamics: Best for Automated Inspection

FANUC: Best for Industrial Automation

Yaskawa: Best for Automating Production Processes

Piaggio Fast Forward: Best for Mobile Carrying Robots

7 Best Robotics Companies: Comparison Chart

The table below shows at a glance how our top seven robotics companies compare in terms of products and technologies, the industries they serve, and their most applicable use cases.

 
Best For
Key Industries Served
Key Technologies
Product Range

ABB
Diverse manufacturing applications
• Manufacturing• Utilities• Construction
• Industrial automation• Motion control• AI-enhanced robotics
• Industrial robots• Collaborative robots• Automation systems• AI-powered robotics

Anduril
Defense and national security
• Defense• Security
• AI• Computer vision• Sensor fusion
• Autonomous drones• Surveillance systems• Defense robots• AI-driven security platforms

Vecna Robotics
Material handling automation
• Warehousing• Logistics
• AI-driven navigation• Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)
• Automated material handling systems• AMRs• Robotic tuggers

Boston Dynamics
Automated inspection
• Logistics• Warehousing• Public safety• Entertainment
• Dynamic control systems• Computer vision• Advanced sensors
• Spot (quadruped robot)• Atlas (humanoid robot)• Stretch (warehouse automation robot)• Entertainment robots

FANUC
Industrial automation
• Manufacturing
• Computer numerical control (CNC) systems• Robotic automation software
• Industrial robots• CNC systems• Robotic welding systems• Robotic assembly

Yaskawa
Automating production processes
• Manufacturing• Healthcare
• Motion control• Servo motors• Machine vision
• Industrial robots• Motion control• Robotics software

Piaggio Fast Forward
Mobile carrying robots
• Last-mile delivery• Personal mobility
• Path planning• Object recognition• Autonomous navigation
• Gitaplus (personal cargo robot)• Gitamini (smaller Gita)• Kilo (heavy-duty cargo robot)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Toggle7 Best Robotics Companies: Comparison ChartABB AndurilVecna RoboticsBoston DynamicsFANUCYaskawa ElectricPiaggio Fast ForwardHow To Choose The Best Robotics Companies For Your BusinessFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Bottom Line: Top Robotics Companies Greatly Enhance Business Productivity

ABB 

Best for Diverse Manufacturing Applications

Founded: 1988

Number of Employees: 110,000

Annual Revenue: $32.2 billion​

ABB Robotics is an industrial robot supplier and manufacturer that develops and manufactures robotics systems, software, and services for various industrial applications. The company offers a wide range of industrial robots, including articulated robots, collaborative robots, selective compliance assembly robot arm (SCARA) robots, delta robots, paint robots, and intelligent autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

ABB’s articulated robots perform tasks ranging from welding, machine tending, dispensing, material handling, assembly, inspecting, grinding, and polishing applications. The company also creates cobots to work alongside humans and help out with more repetitive tasks, or those requiring a high level of precision. The SCARA AI-enabled robots are commonly used for fast and precise pick-and-place operations in assembly lines, packaging, and electronic manufacturing. Delta robots are used for high-speed pick-and-place operations in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries.

The company also provides AMRs designed to move autonomously within a facility and perform various tasks, such as material transportation and warehouse operations. These AMRs can navigate in dynamic environments and collaborate with other robots and humans.

Why We Picked ABB

We selected ABB for its extensive expertise in providing robotic systems that address a variety of industrial needs. The company’s portfolio provides reliable technology that is known to integrate well with organizations’ existing systems. Likewise, its ability to offer robots that can work safely alongside human workers make it a good choice for industries requiring precision and adaptability.

Visit ABB

ABB’s dual-arm IRB 14000 YuMi cobot supports automating sample analysis in a lab.

Pros and Cons

Pros
Cons

Wide range of customizable solutions
High upfront costs for large-scale deployments 

Industry-leading cobots
Less accessible for smaller businesses without specialized training

AI integration for predictive maintenance
Scalability focused on large enterprises 

Pricing

Varies by product 

Visit ABB website for details

Features

SCARA robots

Paint robots

Articulated robots

Collaborative robots

Delta robots

AMRs

Robotics companies are often employed in conjunction with AI vendors. Read our in-depth guide to the top AI companies to learn more about the organizations defining an industry.

Anduril

Best for Defense and National Security

Founded: 2017

Number of Employees: 2,800

Annual Revenue: Estimated $560 million​

Anduril Industries is a U.S.-based defense technology company that develops autonomous systems, AI software, and automation-focused hardware to enhance situational awareness and decision-making capabilities, with a focus on border security and defense operations. Anduril Industries’ products include border surveillance systems, drone detection and tracking systems, and military-grade AI software.

Its top products include the Lattice software platform for command and control and Lattice mission autonomy, which automates unmanned systems and coordinates sensors and other assets like drones and ground vehicles in real time. Anduril also offers the Ghost UAS (Unmanned Aerial System), and the ALTIUS (Agile-Launched, Tactically-Integrated Unmanned System). These technologies help protect and defend national borders, provide real-time situational awareness, and assist military and security personnel in their operations.

Why We Picked Anduril

We chose Anduril for its dedicated focus on defense technologies. While not applicable to every use case, these are paramount to sectors or organizations with unique security and protection requirements. Anduril’s systems are designed to enhance real-time decision-making and situational awareness, with a strong emphasis on automating critical defense tasks. The company’s expertise lies in integrating autonomous systems into complex security environments, making it well-suited for addressing the demanding needs of defense and cybersecurity operations.

Visit Anduril

The Ghost-X by Anduril Industries is purpose-built for reconnaissance, security, and force protection.

Pros and Cons

Pros
Cons

Highly specialized for border security and surveillance
High upfront costs

Real-time decision-making capabilities 
Limited use cases outside of defense

Military-grade AI software
Deployment and management are complex

Pricing

Available upon request

Contact Anduril for custom quote

Features

Drone detection and tracking

Counter UAS

Dive-LD autonomous underwater vehicle

Fury autonomous air vehicle (AAV)

Maritime counter intrusion

Sentry towers for border security

Vecna Robotics

Best for Material Handling Automation

Founded: 2018

Number of Employees: 150-200

Annual Revenue: Not publicly disclosed

Used for material handling, goods transportation, and logistics operations, Vecna’s autonomous robots work in dynamic and unstructured environments, such as warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities. Its robots have advanced sensors that enable them to navigate, pick, and transport items. Vecna’s robots can perform tasks such as lifting and placement, pallet loading, cross-docking, sorting, packaging, and replenishing.

Vecna’s unique selling points include logistics operations optimization, reduced human labor and costs, and improved overall supply chain operations. This last item is particularly important as supply chains will need to be increasingly elastic in the years ahead.

Why We Picked Vecna

We selected Vecna Robotics for its expertise in materials handling and goods transport in dynamic, high-demand environments. Vecna’s robots are built to work independently, making them extremely useful in situations where humans need to focus on higher-level tasks. This includes tasks like materials logistics and storage, which are often labor-intensive and time-consuming. The company’s approach to streamlining logistics and minimizing human involvement makes it a practical choice for businesses looking to improve operational efficiency in warehouses and similar industrial settings.

Visit Vecna Robotics

The Vecna autonomous tugger enables industrial automation.

Pros and Cons

Pros
Cons

Effective work-in-progress tracking and management
High initial investment

Helps address labor shortages in warehouses
Technical expertise needed for system operation

Reduces long-term labor costs
Best suited for larger-scale operations

Pricing

Available upon request 

Contact Vecna for custom pricing

Features

Fleet management capabilities

Advanced vision and perception systems

Autonomous navigation

Pivotal AI orchestration software

Boston Dynamics

Best for Automated Industrial Inspection

Founded: 1992

Number of Employees: 500-1,000

Annual Revenue: Not publicly disclosed​

Boston Dynamics is most famously known for its bipedal humanoid robot, Atlas, and its four-legged robot, Spot—the company’s photogenic robots are featured heavily in social media. These robots can navigate complex terrains, perform a variety of sophisticated tasks, and adapt to their surroundings with sentient-like responsiveness.

One of the most notable aspects of Boston Dynamics’ robots is their mobility and dexterity. Atlas can walk, run, jump, and perform backflips with precision and balance, while Spot can climb stairs and navigate complex terrains, such as construction sites or disaster areas. Boston Dynamics also offers Stretch, which is built for warehouse automation. Stretch can navigate aisles, pick up and stack boxes, and perform warehouse tasks autonomously.

Why We Picked Boston Dynamics

We selected Boston Dynamics because the company’s high profile contributions to robotics have helped push the envelope of what’s possible with modern technology. Even if Boston Dynamics isn’t the most prevalent robotics company out there, it’s certainly among the most well-known. With the company now looking to expand into the entertainment industry, we’re likely to see even more diverse applications in the years to come. In the meantime, Atlas and Spot continue to demonstrate some of the most advanced mobility and task execution technology out there, offering promising applications across research, industrial operations, field work, and more.

Visit Boston Dynamics

Boston Dynamics’ Spot, the quadruped robot.

Pros and Cons

Pros
Cons

Real-time perception and decision-making capabilities
Cutting-edge technology comes at a premium

Highly advanced and versatile robots for various industries
Limited commercial availability for general use

Advanced mobility and dexterity
Requires specialized training for operation

Pricing

Available upon request

Features

Manipulation and object recognition

Advanced mobility capability

Advanced humanoid and quadrupedal robots

Stretch can detect and retrieve boxes that shift and fall while unloading

FANUC

Best For Industrial Automation

Founded: 1956

Number of Employees: 8,200

Annual Revenue: $5.41 billion

With over 40 years of experience, FANUC offers more than 100 robot models, including articulated and delta robots, used in a wide range of industrial applications. The company manufactures robots that support payloads of up to 2,300kg and maximum reaches of up to 4.7m. FANUC robots are equipped with vision systems and force-sensing tools, allowing them to perform complex tasks accurately.

FANUC offers comprehensive support and training programs to ensure its customers get the most out of its robots. This includes technical assistance, spare parts, and maintenance services to ensure the robots always run at peak performance, as well as integration services for adoption into existing workflows. FANUC’s robots are used in more than 20 industries, including aerospace, automotive, electronics, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals. They can perform an array of factory tasks, including welding, material handling, assembly, and packaging, as well as more specialized tasks such as painting and palletizing.

Why We Picked FANUC

We selected FANUC due to its established expertise in industrial automation and the extensive range of robot models it offers. With its deep industry experience, the company has built a strong reputation for providing reliable and effective automation technologies. FANUC’s robotics are trusted by businesses and organizations across a range of diverse sectors, handling everything from welding, material handling, and assembly to painting, palletizing, and inspection. They also feature integrated safety systems and flexible configurations for added peace of mind. FANUC’s robust support and maintenance services was another big plus point in our evaluation.

Visit FANUC

FANUC robots are used in welding applications.

Pros and Cons

Pros
Cons

Comprehensive product range
Requires specialized knowledge for setup and operation

Lifetime maintenance 
Programming process can lead to downtime 

Fast cycle times and high repeatability
High upfront costs for small or mid-sized companies

Pricing

Available upon request

Contact FANUC for custom quote

Features

Articulated robots

Delta robots

3D vision sensor and force sensor

Advanced control systems

Integrated safety systems

Flexible configuration

Our reviews of the top generative AI apps will help you find the right tools for a wide range of automation and robotics use cases.

Yaskawa Electric

Best for Automating Production Processes

Founded: 1915 (Yaskawa), 1989 (Motoman Robotics)

Number of Employees: 15,000

Annual Revenue: $4.06 billion​

Yaskawa produces an extensive range of robots for various applications under its Motoman robotics division. The company has a veritable army of more than 600,000 robots installed worldwide. Yaskawa robots perform tasks including arc welding, spot welding, material handling, and painting. The company provides a comprehensive lineup of collaborative robots, SCARA robots, controllers, software, positioners, vision systems, and grippers, all of which enable businesses to enhance their automation processes for industrial applications.

While the company’s robots are often seen in automobile factories, its products extend far beyond this application, including electric and electronic equipment, semiconductor manufacturing, biomedical, food, medical products, and logistics.

Why We Picked Yaskawa

We selected Yaskawa for its broad range of robotics solutions and strong experience in automated production. Yaskawa’s robots are known for their reliability and are backed by robust support, including in-person and online training through Yaskawa Academy and 24/7 emergency assistance. While some models may present complexities in use and have lower payload capacities compared to some competitors, Yaskawa’s comprehensive product range and cost-effective solutions make it a solid option for those seeking versatile and reliable robotics technology.

Visit Yaskawa

The Yaskawa HC20 for arc welding application supports up to 20kg payload, with 1700 mm horizontal reach and 3400 vertical reach.

Pros and Cons

Pros
Cons

In-person and online training via Yaskawa Academy
Requires expert setup for large-scale implementations

Lower unit cost compared to some competitors 
Lower payload capacity than comparable competitor products

24/7 emergency support
Limited versatility for some specialized applications

Pricing

Varies by need

Contact Yaskawa for more information

Features

Human-collaborative robots

Advanced vision systems

Material tending and removal capabilities

Palletizing robots

Sigma series servo motors

Turnkey solutions

Piaggio Fast Forward

Best For Mobile Carrying And Following Robots

Founded: 2015

Number of Employees: 79-100

Annual Revenue: Not publicly disclosed

Piaggio Fast Forward (PFF) is a subsidiary of Piaggio Group. The company specializes in designing products that enhance the movement and transportation of individuals and goods in urban environments. It offers Gita, a robot that can follow you and carry up to 40 pounds of cargo. Gita is designed to assist people in daily activities, such as carrying groceries, luggage, or other items. These robots use sensors and cameras to navigate and avoid obstacles, ensuring safe movement.

PFF’s Gita robots are available in Gitaplus and Gitamini. Gitamini can carry up to 20 pounds of cargo (or approximately five days of groceries), has a runtime of approximately six hours of continuous travel (around 18 miles), and charges in two hours. Gitaplus can carry up to 40 pounds of cargo (or 10 days of groceries), offers about seven hours of continuous travel (approximately 21 miles), and also charges in two hours. More recently, PFF introduced Kilo, a heavy-duty, four-wheeled cargo bot designed for industrial use that’s currently being tested in select production environments.

Why We Picked Piaggio Fast Forward

We selected PFF for its innovative focus on mobile carrying and “following robots” designed for urban environments. The company’s Gita robots, known for their user-friendly design, offer practical solutions for daily tasks like carrying groceries or luggage, making them a strong fit for consumer markets. With autonomous navigation and hands-free operation, Gita provides an accessible and fun way to simplify personal cargo transportation. PFF’s continued development of new products, like the Kilo cargo bot, highlights its commitment to expanding robotic solutions for both personal and commercial use, making them one to watch in the emerging market of mobile robotic assistants.

Visit Piaggio Fast Forward

The Gita Mini and Gita Plus can transport groceries.

Pros and Cons

Pros
Cons

Transparent pricing with flexible options
Limited functional versatility 

Consumer friendly
Limited range and battery life

Convenience
Not suited for rugged or complex terrain

Pricing

Gita is available in two editions, plus Kilo:

Gitamini: $2,475 or $86 per month 

Gitaplus: $3,475 or $121 per month

Kilo: Contact PFF for details

Features

Suitable for tasks grocery shopping, luggage, or moving items 

Kilo is capable of heavier-duty cargo handling

Autonomous navigation

Hands-free operation

How To Choose The Best Robotics Companies For Your Business

The real key to choosing the best robotics company for your business is knowing which area of your business you want to automate. The best way to find out is to examine your current operation processes and determine where you need to adjust or improve efficiency. Then you should conduct research to pinpoint exactly what types of robotics solutions align with your organization’s needs.

This could include tasks like manufacturing, logistics, material handling, or customer service, depending on your business. You’ll also want to evaluate the scalability, compatibility, and support offered by potential robotics providers to ensure they can be integrated smoothly into your existing setup. Remember that the sector you operate in is critical to determining the best robotics company, and accompanying solutions, for your business.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do These Companies Address Ethical Considerations in Robotics Development?
The top robotics companies we reviewed adhere to strict safety standards in robot design and operation. They invest significantly in user training. For instance, Yaskawa offers in-person and online courses through its Yaskawa Academy. These companies establish ethics committees to evaluate and guide the development of robotic systems. According to Vecna Robotics, its entire fleet of robots is third party-certified to comply with ANSI B56.5 and RIA 15.08 safety standards.

How do These Companies Address Ethical Considerations in Robotics Development?
The top robotics companies we reviewed adhere to strict safety standards in robot design and operation. They invest significantly in user training. For instance, Yaskawa offers in-person and online courses through its Yaskawa Academy. These companies establish ethics committees to evaluate and guide the development of robotic systems. According to Vecna Robotics, its entire fleet of robots is third party-certified to comply with ANSI B56.5 and RIA 15.08 safety standards.

Which Regions or Markets are the Primary Focus for these Top Robotics Companies?
The primary focus of these top robotics companies varies, but a few regions and markets stand out. Some of the critical markets include:
United States: Many top robotics companies are based in the US, focusing strongly on industries such as healthcare, logistics, agriculture, and defense.
Japan: Japan has a long-standing reputation for robotics technology and is a robotics research and development hub. Companies in Japan primarily focus on industrial robotics, service robots, and humanoid robots.
Europe: European companies are active in various sectors, including industrial automation, medical robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI). Countries such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom have a strong presence in the robotics market.

What Trends in Robotics Technology are these Companies Leveraging?
AI and Machine Learning Integration: AI and machine learning are key drivers in robotics, enabling robots to perceive and understand their environment, make autonomous decisions, and learn from experience.
Collaborative Robotics: Continued growth in cobots, allowing robots to work safely alongside humans, and enhancing productivity and efficiency in industries such as manufacturing and healthcare.
Autonomous Navigation: Advancements in autonomous navigation for robots make them more versatile and adaptable to dynamic environments.
Internet of Things (IoT): Robotics companies integrate IoT technology into their robots to enable connectivity and communication between robots and other devices.

Bottom Line: Top Robotics Companies Greatly Enhance Business Productivity

Investing in robotics companies can immensely enhance business productivity while reducing costs and risks associated with manual labor. Though the initial setup costs may be high, especially for small businesses, the return on investment over time typically justifies the expenditure. The top robotics companies offer a wide selection of robots with varying payload capacities, reach, and speed, tailored to meet diverse industrial needs. It is crucial to consider your specific requirements before partnering with a robotics company to ensure the technology aligns with your long-term goals.

The top generative AI companies offer a wide range of solutions that support automation and robotics use cases.
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