Industrial Robot Stock Reached 5 Million in 2025
Global deployments climbed as security investments surged to protect manufacturing facilities.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Robotics
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The global stock of industrial robots hit 5 million units in 2025, marking a 9% increase driven by 603,000 new installations. As robots became central to factory floors, cybersecurity threats prompted significant funding for firms tasked with securing industrial equipment.
Why it matters
Manufacturing became the most attacked industry globally, as unpatched legacy software and vulnerable robot controllers create risks of physical equipment manipulation. Protecting these cyber-physical systems is now critical for worker safety and operational stability.
In 2025, China led the market with 354,000 installations compared to 38,500 in the United States. Security firms are now integrating hardware-level protection to monitor network traffic across industrial cyber-physical systems.
The players
Exein
This cybersecurity firm is based in Rome and focuses on securing hardware and embedded systems.
Claroty
This company provides industrial cybersecurity software that monitors network traffic in manufacturing environments.
Universal Robots
This manufacturer is a prominent producer of industrial robots that recently faced software vulnerability disclosures.
CISA
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is a federal agency tasked with managing risks to critical infrastructure.
ServiceNow
This enterprise software company expands its security capabilities through strategic acquisitions like Armis.
The details
Companies like Exein and Claroty secured millions in funding to address vulnerabilities in legacy equipment, such as those found in Universal Robots' PolyScope 5. Manufacturers are responding by embedding security directly into hardware through partnerships with chip suppliers and device makers.
Timeline
January 2026: Claroty raised $150 million in Series F funding.
April 2026: ServiceNow completed the acquisition of Armis.
May 2026: CISA and Universal Robots disclosed a software vulnerability.
September 11, 2026: The EU Cyber Resilience Act reporting requirements began.
December 11, 2027: The EU Cyber Resilience Act main obligations take effect.
The Tech Race
The global push to secure industrial robots follows the implementation of the EU Cyber Resilience Act, which mandates reporting on actively exploited vulnerabilities. This regulatory shift forces a transition away from unpatched legacy equipment toward integrated, secure hardware.
Companies are increasing security measures, which may lead to more frequent software updates and stricter protocols for operators in manufacturing roles. These changes help prevent unauthorized access to robot controllers, ultimately ensuring safer physical working environments.
The takeaway
The rapid expansion of industrial robotics necessitates a shift toward built-in hardware security rather than reactive software patching. Operators should ensure that all factory equipment receives regular security updates to prevent the risk of physical manipulation by unauthorized parties.
What happens next
The EU Cyber Resilience Act's main obligations are scheduled to take effect on December 11, 2027, requiring manufacturers to meet new, stricter compliance standards.
Further reading
For more on the current state of automated systems, visit Robotics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PYMNTS.
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