The rise of mobile robotics is set to transform industries far beyond warehousing and logistics, as advancements in automation drive efficiency gains across sectors including healthcare, agriculture, and last-mile delivery. Forecasts indicate that shipments of mobile robots will increase fivefold by 2030, reaching 2.8 million units annually, according to technology intelligence firm ABI Research. The trajectory reflects a significant shift in the role of automation across the global economy, with the market projected to generate $124 billion in revenue by the end of the decade.
Mobile robots have already revolutionised warehouse operations, where they have become a staple of modern logistics. Yet their increasing deployment in hospitals, factories, and retail environments signals a turning point in automation’s reach. As enabling technologies such as Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) mature, these autonomous systems are gaining the flexibility needed to navigate unstructured environments and deliver value in areas previously considered unsuitable for automation.
“The expansion of mobile robots beyond warehousing and logistics highlights their growing importance in addressing labour shortages, streamlining operations, and improving productivity,” says George Chowdhury, Robotics Industry Analyst at ABI Research. “For material handling alone, mobile robots offer enterprises transformative efficiency improvements. As trust in Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) technologies grows, we will increasingly see mobile robots in public spaces.”
Agriculture is one of the fastest-growing markets for mobile robots, with annual shipments expected to increase from 7,000 units today to 129,000 by 2030. The use of autonomous systems in precision farming, harvesting, and soil analysis is poised to address labour constraints while optimising yields. Similarly, last-mile delivery is undergoing rapid transformation, with shipments of mobile robots for urban logistics forecast to rise from 14,000 to 147,000 units annually, enabling more efficient and sustainable delivery models.
The retail and hospitality industries are also embracing automation, driven by increasing consumer expectations for efficiency and service. The deployment of mobile robots in restaurants alone is expected to rise from 6,000 to 78,000 units per year by the end of the decade, as businesses experiment with robotic waitstaff and automated food preparation. In hospitals, autonomous systems are being trialled for tasks ranging from medication delivery to sanitation, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on patient care rather than logistical duties.
The broader adoption of mobile robots is being facilitated by improvements in affordability, adaptability, and ease of integration. Companies such as MiR, Omron, and Otto Motors are refining mobile robotic solutions for intralogistics in manufacturing, while firms like Zebra, Locus, and Safelog are driving adoption in retail. Meanwhile, Starship Technologies is pushing the boundaries of last-mile delivery, seeking to overcome regulatory and infrastructural challenges that have traditionally hindered mass deployment.
Despite the rapid growth, barriers to adoption remain. Concerns around safety, regulatory frameworks, and public acceptance of autonomous robots in everyday environments are challenges that industry stakeholders must address. The integration of mobile robots into urban infrastructure and critical sectors like healthcare will require collaborative efforts between policymakers, technology providers, and end-users.
The next decade will be pivotal in determining how deeply automation penetrates non-traditional industries. With rising labour costs and growing demand for efficiency, businesses are recognising that mobile robots are not just an operational upgrade but a fundamental shift in how work is done. As decision-makers increasingly prioritise automation, the presence of mobile robots in hospitals, fields, retail stores, and city streets may soon become as commonplace as their dominance in warehouses today.
