The 2027–2028 outlook: where robot after-sales is heading next

The 2027–2028 outlook: where robot after-sales is heading next

By 2027, the European robotics after-sales market will be shaped by three forces: the full application of the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), the commercial scaling of humanoid robots, and the AI Act’s risk-based compliance. These forces are not sequential; they converge, and after-sales will become a service-led market where maintenance, spare parts, and compliance are bundled into long-term contracts. For Chinese robotics manufacturers entering Europe, the window to adapt is now—but the path is uneven across member states.

The CRA deadline: a hard reset for after-sales

The CRA, which entered into force in 2024, sets a 36-month transition period. This means that by December 2027, all ‘digital elements’ in products placed on the EU market must meet cybersecurity requirements. For robots, this includes not only the robot itself but also its software, cloud connectivity, and any after-sales updates. After-sales providers will be legally responsible for ensuring that security patches are delivered for the entire expected product lifetime—which for industrial robots is often 10 years or more.

The practical implication: after-sales is no longer about fixing broken parts; it is about maintaining a secure digital environment. This requires a new skill set: cybersecurity auditing, secure software update management, and vulnerability reporting. The CRA also mandates that manufacturers (and by extension their authorized representatives) report actively exploited vulnerabilities to ENISA within 24 hours. For a Chinese manufacturer with a local service network, this means that the network must have 24/7 incident response capability—not just a spare parts warehouse.

However, the CRA’s enforcement will vary. The regulation is a ‘CE-marking’ regime, but market surveillance is the responsibility of member states. Some countries, like Germany and the Netherlands, have well-funded market surveillance authorities; others may lag. In practice, a robot that is non-compliant could still be sold in some markets for a period, but the legal risk for the manufacturer and the after-sales provider is high. The CRA also introduces a ‘safe harbor’ for open-source software, but most commercial robots use proprietary software, so that exemption is limited.

Humanoid scaling: a new after-sales paradigm

Humanoid robots are moving from research to early commercial deployment. IDC’s robotics market outlook (accessed 2026-08-26) notes that humanoid robots are expected to see significant growth in the late 2020s, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 50% from 2025 to 2030. By 2027-2028, we will see the first fleets of humanoids in logistics and manufacturing, particularly in automotive and electronics assembly. These robots are complex: they have dozens of actuators, sensors, and a high degree of mechanical freedom. Their after-sales needs are fundamentally different from traditional industrial arms.

For after-sales, humanoids pose three challenges: first, they are mobile, so they are not fixed to a cell; they operate in dynamic environments, which increases the risk of damage from collisions or falls. Second, they are highly integrated, meaning that a single sensor failure can halt the entire robot. Third, they require regular calibration and software updates to maintain balance and dexterity. This means that after-sales must shift from reactive repair to predictive maintenance. The service network must have the ability to remotely monitor the robot’s health, predict failures, and dispatch a technician with the right spare parts before a breakdown occurs.

But humanoid adoption will not be uniform. The Future Market Insights robotics forecast (accessed 2026-08-26) suggests that the market will be concentrated in a few countries: Germany, France, and the Nordic region. In Southern and Eastern Europe, adoption will be slower, and the after-sales infrastructure will be less developed. For a service network, this means that coverage must be strategic: focus on the high-adoption regions first, and build a scalable model that can expand as the market grows.

The AI Act: compliance as a service

The EU AI Act, which entered into force in August 2024, applies to AI systems in the EU. Most robots that use AI for navigation, object recognition, or decision-making will be classified as ‘high-risk’ under the Act. This classification triggers obligations for risk management, data governance, technical documentation, and post-market monitoring. After-sales providers will be involved in the post-market monitoring: they will need to collect and report on incidents, and they will need to ensure that the robot’s AI system continues to comply with the Act throughout its lifecycle.

This creates a new revenue stream: compliance as a service. Manufacturers will outsource the ongoing compliance management to local partners who understand the EU regulatory landscape. The service network will not only fix robots but also maintain the ‘technical file’ for each robot, update the risk assessment when the robot’s software is updated, and provide the necessary documentation to the manufacturer for their EU declaration of conformity.

The AI Act also requires that high-risk AI systems be registered in an EU database. This registration must be updated when significant changes are made. For a fleet of robots, this is a continuous task. The after-sales provider will need to have a digital infrastructure to manage these updates, and to coordinate with the manufacturer’s compliance team.

However, the AI Act’s enforcement is phased. The prohibition on certain AI practices applies from February 2025, but the obligations for high-risk systems apply from August 2026. By 2027-2028, we will see the first audits and enforcement actions. The after-sales market will need to be ready.

Consolidation into a service-led market

The combination of CRA, AI Act, and humanoid complexity is driving a consolidation of after-sales into a service-led market. Instead of offering spare parts and repair as separate products, manufacturers will offer ‘service contracts’ that bundle maintenance, software updates, compliance management, and even training. These contracts will be long-term, often spanning the entire lifecycle of the robot, and they will be a significant source of recurring revenue.

For Chinese manufacturers, this is a challenge. They are used to a product-centric model, where the sale of the robot is the primary transaction. In Europe, the after-sales market is increasingly service-led, and customers expect a high level of local support. A manufacturer that cannot provide this will lose market share to competitors who can.

The service-led model also requires a different kind of partnership. Instead of a simple distributor, manufacturers need a local service network that is certified, trained, and equipped to handle the full range of after-sales tasks. This network must be able to handle cybersecurity incidents, AI compliance, and humanoid-specific maintenance. It must also be able to provide documentation in multiple languages, and to work with local authorities.

But the transition will not be uniform. Some countries, like Germany, have a strong tradition of industrial service and will embrace the service-led model quickly. Others, like Poland or Romania, may be more price-sensitive and may prefer a pay-per-repair model. The after-sales provider must be flexible and offer different service tiers.

Comparison table: trends and 2027-2028 implications

What this means for a local service network

For a local service network being set up in Europe, the 2027-2028 outlook is both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is to build the capabilities required by the new regulations and the new robot types. The opportunity is to become a trusted partner for manufacturers who cannot or will not build their own after-sales infrastructure.

The network must invest in training for cybersecurity and AI compliance. It must develop remote monitoring and diagnostics tools. It must build a supply chain for spare parts that can handle the high variety of humanoid components. And it must be prepared to work with multiple manufacturers, each with its own service protocols.

But the network must also be realistic. The regulatory landscape is still evolving, and there are uncertainties. For example, the CRA’s ‘essential requirements’ are still being clarified through harmonized standards. The AI Act’s guidance on high-risk classification is not final. The network should stay informed and be flexible.

Finally, the network must be honest about its capabilities. It should not claim to be a full-service provider if it cannot yet handle all aspects. Instead, it should build partnerships and gradually expand its service portfolio. By 2027-2028, the market will reward those who have prepared, and punish those who have not.

Sources

• IDC — Robotics market — https://www.idc.com/ (accessed 2026-08-26)
• Future Market Insights — Robotics — https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ (accessed 2026-08-26)