Five million industrial robots are now operating across the world’s factories - and the automation revolution is accelerating far beyond the automotive industry.
In this episode of The Robot Shift, hosts Michael Jung and Jess Williams unpack the findings of the International Federation of Robotics’ World Robotics 2026 report, exploring how record robot installations are transforming manufacturing, logistics, and global competitiveness.
With more than 603,000 new robots installed in 2025, Asia dominating global adoption, and robotics-as-a-service making automation accessible to smaller manufacturers, the industrial landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift.
The discussion examines China’s growing robotics leadership, the impact of tariffs and reshoring, and how collaborative robots are helping manufacturers confront critical labor shortages. Michael and Jess also look beyond the humanoid hype to explore the promise of physical AI, the challenges of integrating intelligent machines into existing operations, and the emerging cybersecurity risks of connected robotics.
As robots become smarter and hardware becomes increasingly commoditized, a bigger question emerges: Will tomorrow’s industrial leaders be those who build the most robots—or those who control the AI and data that power them?
Discover more about robotics, warehouse automation, and physical AI at www.robotshift.co.
