The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation globally, spurring investor and entrepreneurial interest in automation including robotics. Whereas industrial robots were previously confined largely to auto manufacturing, variable applications are expanding into healthcare, defense, aerospace, education, food production, appliances, electronics and more.

Amidst this worldwide robotics boom, Russia's domestic market continues developing at a measured pace. Robotics in Russia builds predominantly on foreign research and technology while local demand for industrial robots remains low. However, experts note high potential for robotic adoption given the country's educated workforce, engineering pedigree, population openness to emerging tech, and state prioritization of economic digitization.

Tekart has provided tech market analysis and consulting for 22 years. In 2014, its Robogeek division was founded to track robotics trends, technologies, use cases and dialogue with experts. Recent years have seen promising growth in Russian robotics capabilities. In 2019, 87 domestically manufactured robots and robotic systems were produced worth 145 million rubles - capturing 6% market share. Roadmaps aim for 40 robots per 10,000 workers density. New programs also support robotics advancement.

But the global average is 113 industrial robots per 10,000 employees versus just 6 in Russia. Relatively low wages, long ROI, tech hurdles around implementation/maintenance, and insufficient qualified personnel limit demand. Currency weakness, geopolitics etc. also hinder domestic production alongside an undeveloped ecosystem for R&D, components manufacturing.

Overcoming barriers to scale the Russian robotics industry could address systemic economic issues like low productivity and labor shortages from an aging population.

Tekart's new open report details the industrial robotics landscape, analyzing opportunities and challenges for growing Russian robotics production.