The Global Robotics Roadmap: Asia's Dominance and What's Next

Henrik I Christensen, a noted Professor at the University of California San Diego, has just unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for global robotics spanning 2025 to 2035. This document offers a detailed look into the current state and the promising future of robotics, focusing sharply on Asia, Europe, and America.

Asia's Lead and Global Trends

One of the standout points from the roadmap is the enormous growth expected in the robotics market. By 2033, it's predicted to skyrocket from $53.2 billion in 2024 to an astonishing $178.7 billion. Asia, unsurprisingly, is at the heart of this boom, accounting for 74% of global installations in 2024, with China making up more than half of that figure.

But does this mean other regions are falling behind? Not exactly. Europe is blazing trails in safety-critical regulation and collaborative cobots, while the United States is carving out its niche in AI-powered autonomy and defense robotics. It's a reminder that different regions are writing unique playbooks.

Technological Innovations Shaping the Future

The roadmap highlights Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models as a big deal in robotics, marking the first time machines can cross-embodiment generalize. Meanwhile, advances in soft robotics are bridging gaps between rigid industrial systems and the bio-compatible devices important for medical applications. These innovations suggest that the capital isn't leaving AI. it's simply moving to jurisdictions leading these developments.

Regulation and Market Dynamics

Regulatory landscapes are shifting too. With the EU's comprehensive AI Act, regulations are shaping the design and functionality of humanoid robots globally. As the humanoid segment is expected to leap from $370 million in 2025 to $6.5 billion by 2030, how will these regulations impact development and deployment? It's a question that requires attention from policymakers and industry leaders alike.

, the global robotics roadmap offers a clear trajectory of where technology is heading, spotlighting Asia's dominance and the varied approaches across continents. As we gear up for these changes, the tech community must ask: Are we ready to embrace this future, or will we be left playing catch-up?