The motion controls market faced a challenging year in 2025, contracting by -2.0 per cent, an improvement from the -6.5 per cent decline recorded in 2024. Continued supply chain disruptions following COVID-19, along with multiple elections and policy shifts, sustained economic uncertainty through the period.

Growth is expected to return in 2026. In 2025, the Americas declined by -1.0 per cent, EMEA by -7.5 per cent, and Japan by -1.8 per cent. In contrast, Asia Pacific (APAC), excluding Japan, grew by +1.9 per cent, driven by strong performance in the semiconductor and electronics sectors across China, South Korea, and India.

Interact Analysis forecasts 2026 as the first year of positive growth since 2023, with the market expected to expand by +3.9 per cent. Thereafter, growth is projected to return to pre-pandemic levels of +4.0 per cent to +5.0 per cent annually. Mobile robotics is expected to remain a key driver during the forecast period.

Revenue growth is anticipated to be led by emerging economies, with APAC remaining the fastest-growing region due to sustained investment and high-growth markets. APAC’s share of global revenue is projected to increase from 40 per cent in 2024 to 43 per cent by 2029. This rise is expected to come primarily at the expense of EMEA, whose share may decline from 32 per cent to 30 per cent over the same period. Despite increasing competition from APAC vendors, EMEA suppliers are expected to remain resilient, while the Americas and Japan continue as stable contributors.

Clara Sipes, Market Analyst at Interact Analysis, noted that global pricing remains influenced by tariffs and material costs. Tariff surcharges of 10–15 per cent are often applied as separate line items but continue to shape overall pricing. While some suppliers expect normalisation as trade conditions stabilise, most customers now consider these costs a structural element of project planning, affecting competitive positioning in 2026.

She added that automation of smaller axes continues to drive growth. Initially led by precision industries such as semiconductors and electronics, this trend has expanded into sectors including packaging, printing, and textiles. Declining automation costs and improved software integration have made small-axis retrofits a practical entry point for modernising legacy equipment.

On cybersecurity, Sipes highlighted its growing importance in motion controllers and automation systems. The introduction of Europe’s Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) has elevated the importance of data protection and software compliance. Manufacturers are investing in hardware with integrated security and encryption to meet regulatory requirements and safeguard internal assets. This focus is influencing controller design and accelerating the shift towards secure, networked automation systems.