Smart Rust Removal Robots Market to Reach USD 1838 Million by 2031 with 11.0% CAGR

Smart Rust Removal Robots Market to Reach USD 1838 Million by 2031 with 11.0% CAGR

The global Smart Rust Removal Robots market is set for significant expansion, according to the latest market research report of QYResearch, projecting a growth from USD 887 million in 2024 to USD 1,838 million by 2031, at a robust CAGR of 11.0% during the forecast period 2025–2031.

Smart rust removal robots integrate advanced automation, visual recognition, and efficient rust cleaning technologies. These systems are increasingly adopted across industries such as shipbuilding and marine engineering, infrastructure maintenance, manufacturing, heavy industry, and energy and power facilities, offering safer and more precise rust removal compared to traditional manual methods.

Key Companies

The market is driven by key global players including ABB, KUKA, FANUC, Siemens, Bosch Rexroth, GE Inspection Robotics, HITACHI, Panasonic, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, Comau, Staubli Robotics, BlueBotics, Toshiba, Cognex Corporation, and Oceaneering International. In 2024, the top five players held a significant share of the global market revenue.

Market Segmentation

By Type

· Laser Rust Removal Robot

· Sandblasting Rust Removal Robot

· High-pressure Water Jet Rust Removal Robot

· Dry Ice Rust Removal Robot

· Others

By Application

· Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering

· Bridges and Infrastructure

· Manufacturing and Heavy Industry

· Energy and Power Facilities

· Others

Five Key Models

1. WallHiker W2025 (AKA Robotics)

A magnetic, wall-climbing UHPwaterjet robot designed for ship hulls and large steel structures. It:

· Handles 98% of curved surfaces (min. radius 0.5 m)

· Surmounts weld seams and obstacles up to 25 mm

· Weighs 15% less and is 25% more compact than its predecessor

· Includes real-time mobile app monitoring

2. ABB IRB 1300 (Foundry Plus 2/IP67)

A 6axis industrial robot tailored for harsh environments. Key specs:

· Footprint: 220 × 220 mm

· Payload variants: 11 kg @ 900 mm reach; 10 kg @ 1150 mm; 7 kg @ 1400 mm

· Sealed to IP67 and includes stainless end-effector to resist corrosion

· Powered by OmniCore™, supports vision and force control

3. ABB IRB 1600 (Optional Foundry Plus)

A high-performance articulated arm with:

· Up to 50% shorter cycle times via QuickMove/TrueMove

· Payload: up to 10 kg (1.2 m reach), max total load 36 kg

· Protection: Base IP54, sensitive parts IP67; Foundry Plus adds rust-resistant paint/coatings

· Multi-orientation mounting; designed for cleaning/material removal

4. Laserax Robot Laser Cleaning System

A robotic solution integrating fiber laser tech on a 6axis arm for precision cleaning. Highlights:

· Ideal for complex shapes and large/varied parts

· Equipped with fume extraction to maintain beam quality

· Highly flexible, adjustable cell configuration

· Rated for 10+ years in harsh environments with minimal maintenance

5. LoopCLEAN (Loop Technology)

A robotic laser system for industrial cleaning—targets rust, oil, paint, and oxides:

· Designed for complex components and heavy industrial parts

· Non-abrasive, damage-free laser cleaning

· Suited to industrial-floor or cell installation

Regional Insights

The market demonstrates substantial regional variation. Asia-Pacific is expected to maintain its lead driven by strong industrial growth in China, Japan, and South Korea. Europe and North America follow closely due to technological advancements and the presence of leading manufacturers.

Emerging Trends and Innovations

In 2025, the convergence of automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and augmented reality (AR) is revolutionizing industrial maintenance and inspection. These technologies are enhancing efficiency, safety, and sustainability across various sectors.

WallHiker W-2025: Advancing Surface Preparation

AKA Robotics has introduced the WallHiker W-2025, a magnetic wall-climbing robot designed for ultra-high-pressure (UHP) water jet rust removal on complex surfaces like ship hulls and storage tanks. The robot adapts to over 98% of ship hull surfaces, handling curvatures with a minimum radius of 0.5 meters, and can overcome obstacles such as 25mm weld seams, enhancing operational efficiency and stability.

AI-Powered Magnetic Inspection Robots

AI-driven magnetic inspection robots are transforming infrastructure maintenance by improving defect detection rates and reducing reliance on human labor. Equipped with deep learning models like MobileNetV2, these robots achieve an 85% precision rate across six defect types, outperforming traditional methods in accuracy and efficiency.

Augmented Reality Enhancing Human-Robot Collaboration

The STAR (Situational Task Accept and Repair) system integrates AR to facilitate real-time human-robot collaboration in corrosion repair planning and execution. Built upon the Augmented Robot Environment (AugRE) framework, STAR allows users to visualize and modify robot-generated repair plans using interactive holographic volumes, ensuring precision and safety in complex industrial environments.

Market Growth and Sustainability Trends

The inspection and maintenance robots market is projected to grow from USD 41.66 billion in 2023 to USD 146.9 billion by 2032, driven by increasing automation and safety demands in industrial sectors. This growth is further propelled by the integration of AI and IoT technologies, enabling predictive maintenance and environmental monitoring, thereby enhancing sustainability and operational efficiency.

Strategic Implications

The 2025 forecast also highlights the impact of global tariff adjustments and strategic trade realignments, especially in the U.S. and Asia-Pacific, which may affect capital flows and supply chain structures for smart rust removal equipment. These shifts will prompt multinational manufacturers to reconsider regional investments and sourcing.

With strong demand growth across application sectors and a competitive ecosystem of leading tech firms, the Smart Rust Removal Robots market is poised for rapid transformation in the coming years, reinforcing its role in global industrial automation and maintenance operations.

Related Reports：

Smart Rust Removal Robots - Global Market Share and Ranking, Overall Sales and Demand Forecast 2025-2031

https://www.qyresearch.com/reports/4741973/smart-rust-removal-robots

Global Smart Rust Removal Robots Market Research Report 2025

https://www.qyresearch.com/reports/4741972/smart-rust-removal-robots

Global Smart Rust Removal Robots Sales Market Report, Competitive Analysis and Regional Opportunities 2025-2031

https://www.qyresearch.com/reports/4741971/smart-rust-removal-robots

Global Smart Rust Removal Robots Market Insights, Forecast to 2031

https://www.qyresearch.com/reports/4741970/smart-rust-removal-robots

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