The worldwide market for industrial robotics is expected to grow steadily during the next five years. Researchers at ARC Advisory Group say the market for robotics hardware was nearly $3.6 billion in 2005 and predict it to be about $5.2 billion in 2010.

"The market for industrial robotics will become even more exciting as new technologies and applications emerge," says ARC analyst Stefan Surpitski. "Expect factory floor workers to safely partner with their robotic counterparts to work side by side."

Researchers expect particularly high growth in developing nations, which will use industrial robots in traditional applications such as materials handling. In developed countries, growth will likely be in small and medium-sized companies using robots to customize products in smaller production lots.