Robotic Floor Scrubber Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028

The global robotic floor scrubber market was valued at USD 858.78 million in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 1.81 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 13.26%. The market is gaining momentum due to the rising demand for effectiveness and efficiency by various commercial and industrial users, high labor costs in developed countries, and stringent norms regarding cleanliness and hygiene in various end-user industries. The popular trend of automation, rising dependence on technology to enhance productivity, and development in advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and sensors provide significant growth opportunities for vendors in the robotic floor scrubber market. 

MARKET TRENDS & OPPORTUNITIES

Growing Inclination Towards Automation
Automation is being increasingly adopted in all sectors of life. Adopting automation and robotic technologies can significantly change the overall cleaning industry. Organizations of all kinds are becoming aware of the impact that automation could make on businesses and employees. It helps organizations to become more competitive and is essential for small and medium-sized businesses that are the backbone of developing countries' economies. Hence, this is expected to drive several companies manufacturing floor scrubbers towards automation in the coming years. Automation is likely to benefit small companies to compete on a larger scale and where the labor market is compact, thereby benefitting many businesses in increasing the speed of product development and delivery.

Stringent Regulations To Maintain Cleanliness & Employee Safety
Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in commercial and industrial places such as schools, offices, airports, stations, and food & beverage production sites is critical. Across all industrial sectors, stringent controls & regulations are being applied to ensure the safety of the workers and the environment. Further, product safety is an absolute priority worldwide. Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in places with large footfalls and high human traffic becomes difficult without professional cleaning equipment. As a result, several end users, such as airports, retail establishments, and healthcare centers, are adopting robotic floor scrubbers to adhere to various cleanliness regulations. A robotic floor scrubber can reduce the chances of serious and fatal infections and injuries by minimizing manual work. Hence, the robotic floor scrubber market is rising remarkably from such growing industries.

INDUSTRY RESTRAINTS

Rising Demand For Carpet Flooring
The rising demand for carpet flooring could challenge the global robotic floor scrubber market, as these machines are primarily designed for hard floor surfaces. While some robotic floor scrubbers can clean carpets, they are less effective than traditional carpet cleaners. They may not be able to meet the demands of commercial or industrial cleaning applications. Moreover, the carpet flooring market has gained popularity recently due to its comfort, aesthetics, and sound-dampening properties. In addition, technological advancements have led to the development of more durable and stain-resistant carpet materials, making them a viable option for high-traffic areas. The maintenance of carpet flooring does not require robotic floor scrubbers; thus, its popularity poses a challenge to the growth of the robotic floor scrubber market.

SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS

INSIGHTS BY VARIANT TYPE
The only scrubber variant type dominated the global robotic floor scrubber market in 2022 and accounted for a revenue share of close to 60%. The segment is expected to witness a considerable incremental growth during the forecast period. Scrubber & dryer variants are often preferred by commercial users with frequent footfall, like government offices, and are slightly more expensive. However, the scrubber and dryer hold a relatively low share of the robotic floor scrubber market. However, it is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period.

INSIGHTS BY RUNTIME
The global robotic floor scrubber market by runtime can be classified under the less than 4 hours and more than 4 hours segments. Runtime (duration for which the machine runs on a single charge) is one of the most important factors that end-use industries consider while purchasing robotic floor scrubbers. The availability of high runtime at a lower cost will enable vendors to expand their customer base and witness significant growth. In 2022, robotic floor scrubbers with a runtime of fewer than 4 hours held a higher share in the robotic floor scrubber market. In the same year, the robotic floor scrubbers with a runtime of more than 4 hours accounted for a revenue share of more than 36%. However, the more than 4 hours segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing application in various areas worldwide.

INSIGHTS BY SCRUBBER HEAD TYPE
The disc scrubber head type dominated the global robotic floor scrubber market in 2022. These scrubbers are ideal for smooth and finished floors and are widely used in areas where floors must be polished regularly, such as schools, retail stores, healthcare facilities, and other industries. The rising demand for sustainability and minimizing water usage to protect the environment will likely support the growth of disc head floor scrubbers. The rapid expansion of the hospitality, healthcare, and the retailing sector is expected to support industry growth during the forecast period.

INSIGHTS BY END-USER

The retail and shopping center segment dominated the global robotic floor scrubber market in 2022. The highest share is due to the high footfall and the continuous movement of many customers throughout the facility. Moreover, the continuous expansion of giant retailers across several countries will likely boost the demand for robotic floor scrubbers in this segment.

The global robotic floor scrubber market by the manufacturing industry is projected to grow at a double-digit CAGR during the forecast period. Robotics in the manufacturing industry is growing rapidly and has undergone a major transformation over the past decade. The adoption of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other technologies is on the rise in the industry. By 2025, more than 1/4th of the manufacturing operations are estimated to be automated, with more than 1 million industrial robots deployed. Moreover, various manufacturing industries often overlook cleaning, so the cleaning frequency is not tracked. A robotic floor scrubber promotes both automation and tracking and enhances the productivity of operations. Hence, the rising automation is expected to propel the robotic floor scrubber market from worldwide manufacturing industries.

INSIGHTS BY SALES CHANNEL TYPE
The direct sales channel dominated the global robotic floor scrubber market in 2022. This segment is expected to witness a three-digit incremental growth during the forecast period and involves the manufacturer selling the robotic floor scrubber directly to the end user. This is typically done through a sales team that works directly with customers, providing product demonstrations and technical support. Manufacturers often prefer direct sales channels to maintain control over the sales process and build close customer relationships. Nevertheless, the indirect sales channel holds a relatively low industry share; however, it is expected to grow at a higher CAGR in the global robotic floor scrubber market during the forecast period.

GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

The growth of construction activities and the expansion of commercial areas drive the global demand for robotic cleaning equipment. The growth of tourism is increasing the demand for cleaning equipment in the hospitality industry. Additionally, implementing stringent health and safety regulations worldwide by government and private bodies fuels the robotic floor scrubber market. North America dominated the robotic floor scrubber market in 2022. The high awareness about cleanliness, technology, high labor cost, better infrastructure, and continuously growing footfall across various end users such as airports, retailers, and others are leading to the growth of robotic floor scrubber demand in the market.

APAC is the third-largest regional market, led by countries such as China, Australia, and Japan. Factors such as increasing regional investments and the rapidly growing manufacturing base are pumping the robotic floor scrubber market. The Middle East & Africa and Latin America accounted for a revenue share of more than 10% together in the global robotic floor scrubber market in 2022. Brazil’s economy and natural disasters would affect the market growth in Latin America. Further, robotic floor scrubbers have not gained much popularity in many Middle Eastern and African countries.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

The global robotic floor scrubber market is highly competitive, with the presence of many vendors. The rapid technological changes adversely impact market vendors as consumers increasingly expect continuous technology-enabled innovations and upgrades to existing products. The present scenario drives vendors to alter and refine their unique value proposition to achieve a stronger market presence. Some major players with a prominent presence in the global robotic floor scrubber market include Nilfisk, Tennant, Kärcher, and Hako Group. Nilfisk and Tennant specialize in manufacturing high-end professional cleaning products, while Kärcher manufactures high-end and mid-market products. The presence of diversified global and regional vendors characterizes the market. Many vendors are enhancing several product features by reducing machine weight, lowering sound level, improving recovery and solution tank capacity, and enhancing battery run time. Such initiatives will enable vendors to gain a competitive edge over other vendors in the industry.