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As warehouse automation continues to evolve, so does use of stationary robots with robotic arms for picking and handling tasks including palletizing, depalletizing, and item or case picking, according to Interact Analysis.
In last month’s report, Robotic Picking 2026, the Wellingborough, U.K.-based market research firm estimated the market size for robotic picking in 2025 at $1.7 billion. Interact Analysis projected that it will reach $4.6 billion by 2030, experiencing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.7% from 2026 to 2030.
Emerging technologies are reshaping the robotic picking market
In 2025, the bulk of robotic picking applications were palletizing and depalletizing, which Interact Analysis said represented 83% of the total robotic picking market.
“This is a relatively mature application segment, with robotic palletizing and depalletizing having been used in warehousing for several decades, including in large-scale automation deployments,” wrote senior analyst Irene Zhang. “However, the market structure is expected to shift gradually over time.”
By 2030, the combined share of robotic palletizing and depalletizing is forecast to decline to about 58% of the total robotic picking market, with newer applications such as bin-to-bin picking and robotic trailer unloading gaining traction, she wrote.
“During our forecast period, robotic bin picking is projected to grow at a 36% CAGR from 2026 to 2030, while robotic trailer unloading is forecast to grow at 64% CAGR over the same period,” Zhang said.
Modular designs reduce integration complexity, ease deployment
Robotic bin picking’s integration into modular solutions has lowered integration complexity, increasing customers’ willingness to deploy, noted Interact Analysis. As an add-on, robotic picking must integrate with existing workflows, as well as with warehouse management systems (WMS) or warehouse execution systems (WES). This can poses an adoption challenge for warehouse operations, it said.
“We are seeing a trend toward modular solutions that lower the complexity of integration, with examples including AutoStore’s built-in picking solution – VersaAI Workstation, and Ocado’s on-grid picking,” observed Zhang.
Robotic trailer unloading is a relatively standalone application, addressing a segment where customers have an urgent need for automation, she noted. “On one hand, we see large orders emerging in this market, which improves customer confidence in the maturity of the technology,” Zhang said.
For example, DHL announced plans to deploy more than 1,000 additional Boston Dynamics Stretch robots globally, building on Stretch’s initial use for trailer unloading. UPS has also reportedly planned to invest around $120 million in approximately 400 Pickle Robot systems for truck unloading, highlighting the growing interest in automating one of the most labor-intensive processes at the warehouse dock.
Interact Analysis surveyed more than 300 warehouse stakeholders for its “Voice of the Market” report. It found that 43.4% of respondents identified receiving and unloading as a priority workflow in their automation roadmaps.
Palletizing is also evolving, says Interact Analysis
Even within the relatively mature palletizing segment, the market is evolving, asserted Interact Analysis. It reported that interest has grown recently in inbound palletizing, where floor-loaded shipments are palletized after unloading before being moved into storage.
“This reflects the increasing demand for automation across inbound warehouse processes, rather than focusing solely on outbound palletizing,” said the company.
A growing number of partnerships and technology collaborations also highlights this shift. Recent examples include Pickle and Ambi Robotics, as well as the Boston Dynamics and Jacobi Robotics demonstration at MODEX 2026, highlighting how robotic unloading and palletizing are being combined.
The competitive landscape continues to evolve
As technologies and use cases evolve, Interact Analysis said it has observed a corresponding shift in the competitive landscape. It specified that market shares are shifting in robotic bin picking, as vendors offering trailer unloading robots account for a larger share of the overall robotic picking market.
Emerging robotic bin-picking providers are gaining share from the early pioneers in the market, said Interact Analysis. Companies such as Ocado, Nomagic, and Sereact are increasing their presence in that market and capturing a growing share as adoption expands, it said.
Trailer unloading is also creating opportunities for market growth, added the company. As this application expands, it said companies offering systems to unload and load trucks, trailers, and shipping containers are gaining a larger share of the overall robotic picking market.
Robotic picking becomes a central piece of warehouse automation
Overall, robotic picking is gaining visibility and acceptance across the warehouse automation space, said Interact Analysis. With more systems available and AI improving manipulation, customers are increasingly thinking beyond their immediate automation needs.
They are starting to consider how today’s deployments can support their longer-term automation roadmaps. At the same time, suppliers need to adapt their strategies to evolving customer priorities and market trends, the company said.
“As adoption expands beyond traditional palletizing and depalletizing applications, robotic picking is expected to become an increasingly important component of warehouse automation,” Zhang wrote. “We forecast that by 2030, robotic picking will account for 10% of the total warehouse automation market, up from just 5% in 2025.”
Interact Analysis conducted more than 50 interviews with warehouse stakeholders, as well as research across the warehouse automation market for its Robotic Picking report. Its goal was to provide the insights to help shape deployment plans, identify opportunities, and inform businesses’ market strategies.