New long-term analysis shows: robotics and automation sector remains optimistic as challenges arise

Exhibitors of the leading exhibition automatica look ahead to the coming years with great confidence—despite economic challenges. Expectations for the future economic development of the industry even reached an all-time high in 2025. This causes high levels of investment confidence, innovative strength, and long-term growth across the industry as the new year begins.

Exhibitor surveys conducted in collaboration with the Gelszus Messe-Marktforschungs GmbH research institute have been evaluated to compile this data. Participating companies were asked about their opinion on the current economic situation in the industry and their expectations with regard to its future development.

VDMA: “Impressive evidence of the industry’s potential”

Even though the enthusiasm in assessments of the current economic situation has been on the decline since 2018, the future outlook clearly remains positive. Even the coronavirus pandemic, ongoing trade conflicts, and geopolitical tensions have done nothing to alter the companies’ fundamental conviction that automation, robotics, and smart production solutions are among the key technologies of the future. “The pronounced optimism provides impressive evidence of the industry's potential”, says Patrick Schwarzkopf, Managing Director VDMA Robotics + Automation. “The good news is that the significance of automation will continue to grow. The accelerating demographic change and increased requirements with regard to competitiveness are just two examples of important factors that will drive global automation for many years to come.”

automatica: driving force and barometer of the industry

Exhibition Director Anja Schneider comments: “At automatica 2025, there was a palpable feeling that the industry has lost none of its optimism even though it is navigating a challenging market. The long-term analysis provides statistical evidence of what most visitors and exhibitors could clearly feel at the exhibition. 97% of exhibitors and 98% of visitors feel that the leading exhibition will become even more significant or remain at current levels.”

The next automatica will take place in Munich from June 22 to 25, 2027.