Robot End-Effector Market Report: Size, Share and Outlook by 2031

The robot end-effector market size was valued at US$ 5.47 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 13.76 billion by 2031. The robot end-effector market size is estimated to register a CAGR of 14.5% during 2025-2031.

Traditional industrial robots often demand high upfront costs and complex infrastructure, making them less accessible to smaller businesses. In contrast, mobile collaborative robots (cobots) offer scalable automation solutions that fit the budget and operational needs of SMEs. Their user-friendly designs and intuitive programming interfaces allow firms with limited technical expertise to adopt automation easily. These cobots rely on advanced, adaptable end effectors-such as grippers, suction cups, and tool changers-to perform a wide range of tasks including assembly, packaging, material handling, and quality inspection. Moreover, the plug-and-play nature of modern end effectors perfectly suits SMEs that lack deep technical resources.

Manufacturing, packaging, and logistics SMEs are increasingly using mobile cobots to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and meet rising consumer demands and production complexities. Beyond boosting productivity, these robots also address labor shortages by ensuring consistent output and effectively expanding the workforce. In 2023, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) advanced cobot adoption in SMEs through its Measurement Science for Manufacturing Robotics (MSMR) program. This initiative tackles common barriers such as dynamic work environments, technical limitations, and integration challenges by providing tailored tools, standards, and technologies-like digital twins and sensor-based end effectors-to simplify robotics integration.

North America held the significant market share in 2024. As companies strive to boost productivity, accuracy, and safety, the demand for advanced robotic systems, including sophisticated end effectors, has surged. North America, with its strong industrial foundation and early adoption of smart manufacturing, leads this transformation. Industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and healthcare increasingly use robotic arms with advanced end effectors to enhance assembly efficiency, perform complex tasks, and reduce human exposure to hazardous conditions. In November 2024, German auto parts manufacturer Schaeffler partnered with Agility Robotics to deploy a significant number of humanoid robots (Digit) globally by 2030, including in North America, signaling progress toward humanoid robots equipped with advanced end-effectors in manufacturing.

Investment is growing in next-generation end effectors like adaptive grippers, vacuum tools, and sensor-integrated systems that enable precise, flexible operations. The rise of collaborative robots (cobots) further drives demand for end effectors designed to safely and effectively work alongside humans. In August 2024, Figure AI unveiled the humanoid robot "Figure 02," featuring advanced five-fingered robotic hands capable of lifting up to 25 kg, tested at a BMW plant in South Carolina-indicating a future of humanoid integration with sophisticated end effectors in industry. Additionally, reshoring manufacturing efforts and rising labor costs across the US and Canada are accelerating automation, particularly in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), creating expanded opportunities for end effector manufacturers. The growing e-commerce and logistics sectors also increasingly adopt robotic solutions for material handling, packaging, and sorting, all requiring customized end-of-arm tooling.

ABB Ltd., SMC Corporation, DESTACO, Festo AG and Co. KG, Schmalz GmbH, KUKA AG, Piab AB, Staubli International AG, SCHUNK GmbH and Co. KG, and ZIMMER GROUP GmbH are among the key robot end-effector market players that are profiled in this market study.

The overall robot end-effector market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources. Exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the robot end-effector market size. The process also helps obtain an overview and forecast of the market with respect to all the market segments. Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants to validate the data and gain analytical insights. This process includes industry experts such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, along with external consultants such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders, specializing in the robot end-effector market.