IoT robotics
Long confined to fixed locations on production lines, IoT robots are now on the move. Thanks to increasingly reliable wireless connectivity, the market for mobile robots – sometimes known as service robots – is growing rapidly. ABI Research projects that mobile robot shipments to warehouses will surpass 500,000 by 2030, growing at a 25% CAGR from 2023. Over the same period, the revenue generated from mobile robots overall is forecast to rise from $18 billion to $124 billion.
500,000
Shipments of mobile robots to warehouses by 2030
24.78%
CAGR for agricultural robots market 2025-2035
$106bn
Revenue growth from mobile robots 2023-2030
There are many drivers behind the growing demand for connected robots. By boosting efficiency and productivity, IoT robots can make it more viable for businesses to operate in high-wage countries. They can also perform repetitive tasks that humans typically don’t wish to do, such as fruit picking. A single connected robot can already pick around 1 ton of apples per day – while also identifying those which should be left to continue ripening.
Sectors such as manufacturing, agricultural logistics and hospitality can therefore address labor shortages where they achieve the right cost balance. More than 20,000 agricultural robots were already being sold in 2023, and the global market value for agricultural robots is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 24.78% between 2025 and 2035, from $12.2 billion in 2025 to $139.4 billion.
Connected robots can also enhance safety when deployed in dirty, hazardous or hot environments. Aerial and waterborne robots can also access places which are otherwise hard to reach. This makes the inspection of wind turbines, pylons, oil rigs and similar infrastructure easier, cheaper and safer.
Regardless of whether they operate on the ground, in water or the air, mobile robots use wireless connectivity to transmit data from their sensors and cameras to remote servers. Edge computing or cloud systems can analyze this data and give the robot further instructions. IoT connectivity can also support remote control, remote diagnostics and over-the-air firmware updates.
Modern IoT robotics are highly diverse, drawing on 5G, GNSS, LTE, Wi-Fi/BT or smart modules, depending on the functionality required. Whichever sector your opportunity lies in, we have the hardware, support services, experience and scale to help you make it happen.
IoT robotics are developing rapidly through advanced wireless connectivity
Wireless technologies such as 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 can now support ‘deterministic connectivity’ which guarantees continuous connection for IoT robots when they are performing mission-critical tasks. These technologies also help to precisely locate and synchronize the actions of multiple robots. Wi-Fi 7, for example, can pinpoint location to within 10 centimeters, compared to one or two meters for Wi-Fi 5. This kind of precision is important for use cases in which connected robots need to interact with other machinery.
For some IoT robot deployments, enterprises may employ a low-power, long-range connectivity technology, such as Wi-Fi HaLow or NB-IoT. These technologies help to maximize battery life, so that an automated lawn mower, for example, won’t need frequent recharging. In some cases, enterprises may use private 5G networks which are directly under their control to manage IoT robots. For example, the UK’s National Robotarium at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh is using a low-latency private 5G network to connect a robot dog. The dog can stream live video, carry out 3D mapping and infrared assessments to boost agricultural productivity.
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“Robots have the potential to transform the agricultural sector, as tractors did so many years ago,” says Steve Maclaren, COO at the National Robotarium. “But they need the right networks to power this data-driven approach. This portable 5G private network is going to allow us to unlock exciting new applications for our customers. One day we’ll see multiple robots in the field working together on different tasks, from weed removal to nutrient-analysis to pesticide application.”
However, for robots deployed in many different locations, public cellular networks play a key role. Companies that develop robots can use them to investigate potentially hazardous situations at remote unmanned facilities, for example. Such robots can be ruggedized versions of the automated guided vehicles already widely used in logistics and warehouses, but now with the ability to detect fugitives or prevent leaks.
IoT robotics require precise positioning and reliable connectivity – our solutions provide:
Accurate satellite positioning via high-precision GNSS, RTK and dead reckoning
MIMO technology which greatly reduces errors and boosts data speeds
Over-the-air updates to avoid unnecessary field visits
Ultra-low latency, edge computing and multimedia functions
The expanding range of use cases for connected robots
Some 113,000 transport and logistics robots were sold globally in 2023, according to the International Federation of Robotics, up from 84,000 in 2022. Meanwhile 54,000 service robots were bought by the hospitality sector, up from 42,000 the year before, as robots now even serve food and drink. Consumers are increasingly looking to connected robots to automate domestic chores. Examples include robots for domestic cleaning robots, social interaction and gardening.
Quectel customer EEVE for instance developed the Willow robot to cut grass, kill weeds and keep an eye on the garden at night, with no need to install guide wires. Willow is able to move around yards and gardens by itself, performing repetitive or boring tasks. To achieve this, EEVE selected the Quectel EG91 LTE module for communication and the LC29HDA GNSS module for positioning.
Relevant product categories
“Willow needs a high-quality communication solution to ensure customers can always connect and communicate with their robot. The Quectel EG91 is ideal for that,” explains Wesley Lorrez, CEO at EEVE. “Willow uses a visual positioning system, but can be blinded if the camera is covered. In that case it is important that the robot has a three-meter accurate position. The Quectel LC29HDA positioning module provides the perfect solution for our needs.”
The mobile robots market will expand further with advances helping robots anticipate physical forces, such as friction and inertia. There is now potential for humanoid robots to do everything from unpacking groceries to working on assembly lines. Another emerging trend is the rise of robot-as-a-service (RaaS) business models, which enable smaller businesses to deploy robots without large upfront investments. By making robots more affordable, RaaS should expand the market further still.
IoT robotics are now highly diverse and can draw on 5G, GNSS, LTE, Wi-Fi/BT or smart modules depending on the functionality required. But whichever sector your opportunity lies in, we have the hardware, support services, experience and scale to help you make it happen. If you’d like to discuss how, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
