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Robotics industry set for explosive growth as innovation accelerates

Mohammed Fahad
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Robotics industry set for explosive growth as innovation accelerates
  • Key to the explosive growth is the integration of AI and cloud computing, which are fundamentally transforming how robots learn, adapt, and interact.
  • Advances like neuromorphic processors, emulating the human brain, promise a future generation of robots that are both highly dexterous and intelligent.
  • All signs point to a future where robots are not only more capable but also more ingrained in daily life—reshaping everything from work to home and challenging society to imagine new possibilities.

The global robotics industry is charging into a new era of expansion and innovation, with market forecasts predicting a surge from $90.2 billion in 2024 to a staggering $205.5 billion by 2030, according to GlobalData’s report.

The 15 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) reflects the sector’s expanding influence across industries—from manufacturing to consumer services and healthcare.

Exoskeletons and drones lead the pack

One of the sector’s standout stories is the meteoric rise of exoskeletons. Although still a nascent segment at just $$0.6 million in 2024, exoskeletons are expected to grow at a remarkable 38 per cent CAGR through to 2030, driven by progress in rehabilitation, workforce support, and mobility solutions.

Drones are flying high as the second-fastest-growing segment (19 per cent CAGR), followed closely by logistics robots (18 per cent CAGR), both reflecting rapidly expanding commercial and industrial use cases.

Service robotics outpaces industrial counterparts

While industrial robots, long the industry backbone, will advance at a steady 7 per cent CAGR—growing from $24.6 billion to $36.7 billion by 2030—they’re now outshone by the broader service robot market.

Service robotics, already worth $65.6 billion in 2024,is set to reach $168.8 billion by 2030 (17 per cent CAGR), underlining increasing adoption in areas like healthcare, hospitality, and consumer robotics.

“With every leap in precision engineering and smart technology, robots are reimagining their role in society—from assisting in factories to supporting in hospitals,” observed Aisha U-K Umaru, Analyst at GlobalData.

Intelligent robotics

Key to this explosive growth is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, which are fundamentally transforming how robots learn, adapt, and interact.

Advances like neuromorphic processors, emulating the human brain, promise a future generation of robots that are both highly dexterous and intelligent.

“Robots aren’t just getting more dexterous, they’re also getting smarter,” Umaru noted. “The convergence of physical capability and AI-driven intelligence is unlocking unprecedented value for both workplaces and homes.”

Visionary automakers Tesla and Toyota, alongside startups Figure AI and Fourier Robotics, are at the forefront of developing robots that closely resemble humans—poised to address labor shortages and take on hazardous jobs. Despite the promise, high component costs, questions around utility, and concerns about social acceptance pose hurdles for widespread adoption.

Umaru concluded: “Progress in humanoid robotics is happening at a breathtaking pace. With AI advancing in parallel, the industry must now grapple with two profound questions: When will robots be indistinguishable from humans—and what comes next when they are?”

Samsung bets big on AI memory demand amid record turnaround

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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Samsung bets big on AI memory demand amid record turnaround

  • Growing customer interest has prompted Samsung to consider further enlarging its production footprint for 2026

After months of trailing competitors in the booming AI chip space, Samsung Electronics delivered a message of bold confidence to investors and the chip industry on Thursday.

Fresh off a record quarter for its memory division, the world’s largest memory chipmaker is retooling its strategy and capital spending to chase runaway demand—particularly in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) segment that powers the world’s AI infrastructure.

A major pivot

Just a year ago, Samsung’s memory business was posting lacklustre results, squeezed by slow smartphone and PC demand. But data centres and generative AI fever have upended the market equation.

The company’s memory operations notched a record 26.7 trillion won in revenue (up from 22.3 trillion won a year earlier), helping drive an 80 per cent jump in quarterly chip operating profit to 7 trillion won ($4.92 billion). Shares responded, surging as much as 5.3 per cent—strongly outpacing the broader KOSPI index.

Meeting demand—if they can

In a post-earnings call, Samsung memory executive Kim Jaejune set the tone for the company’s next act: “Customers’ demand for [next year] will exceed our supply, even considering our investment and capacity expansion plan.”

He described “much stronger and faster than usual” memory demand, signaling both continued price momentum and the risk of persistent supply constraint—particularly as the entire industry pivots resources to the AI chip surge.

For 2025, Samsung is betting on a “significantly expanded” production of HBM chips—including current-generation HBM3E now being shipped to all major customers, and the next-generation HBM4, for which Samsung has already begun sampling with key clients.

Growing customer interest has prompted Samsung to consider further enlarging its production footprint for 2026.

Samsung’s bullish stance mirrors that of rival SK Hynix, which declared its own HBM inventory fully sold out for next year and predicted an “extended chip super cycle” powered by surging AI infrastructure investment.

Meanwhile, demand for commodity memory—including for mobile and PC applications—remains tight. Kim warned that supply constraints on these traditional segments could persist well into next year, compounding the sector’s focus shift toward premium AI chips.

Industry implications

While giants like OpenAI and other tech titans unveil multi-billion-dollar AI infrastructure projects, questions linger about the sustainability of the AI boom—and whether the current fever will give way to a dramatic cooling period.

Still, for now, both Samsung and its shareholders are relishing the rebound, as the firm makes up for its slower start bringing advanced HBM chips to market, working to close the gap with front-runner SK Hynix.

With HBM4’s mass production on the agenda for next year, and Samsung actively reviewing additional expansion in response to surging orders, industry dynamics in 2026 and beyond are set for another shakeup.

For now, the company’s turnaround story and future roadmap signal that the race for AI memory dominance is far from over—and the stakes are only getting higher.

Jahez and noon to reshape Saudi Arabia’s on-demand commerce landscape

TCN Bureau
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Jahez and noon to reshape Saudi Arabia’s on-demand commerce landscape
  • Venture brings together noon’s quick-commerce infrastructure and Jahez’s food delivery network of over 50,000 restaurants to offer greater choice and faster delivery across Saudi Arabia.

In a move set to redefine Saudi Arabia’s on-demand economy, Jahez International Company for Information System Technology, a regional leader in digital service platforms, announced a landmark partnership with noon, the Middle East’s top digital player and one of the Kingdom’s fastest-growing quick-commerce innovators.

The alliance unites two powerhouses—each previously dominating distinct corners of the rapidly-expanding e-commerce ecosystem.

Under the arrangement, Saudi users of the Jahez app will soon find a new “noon Minutes” option—unlocking access to noon’s lightning-fast delivery from a vast array of product categories, powered by noon’s formidable network of dark stores across major cities.

Meanwhile, noon’s millions of Saudi customers will gain instant access to Jahez’s renowned food delivery service. With more than 50,000 restaurants in over 100 cities, the Jahez network will now be embedded within the noon app, as Jahez takes on all logistical and operational aspects for food orders.

A win for both companies

For Jahez, this strategic partnership is a game changer: it allows the Group to expand beyond its established food delivery domain and penetrate Saudi Arabia’s quick-commerce sector, all while leveraging noon’s infrastructure and maintaining capital efficiency.

No less significant, noon’s food delivery portfolio instantly gains depth and reach—broadening options for its users and enabling rapid operational expansion across the Kingdom.

From a customer perspective, the value proposition is clear. The integration of offerings means greater choice, faster fulfillment, and an upgraded experience—regardless of which platform a consumer prefers.

Notably, loyalty program members (Jahez Prime and noon One subscribers) will see their perks extended across both ecosystems, including free delivery.

Vision and synergy

Ghassab Bin Mandeel, CEO of Jahez, sees the partnership as an inflection point.

“Our partnership with noon represents a pivotal step in Jahez’s evolution beyond food delivery, reinforcing our vision to enhance our customers’ lifestyle and connecting us with an even broader community of users across Saudi Arabia. By combining noon’s extensive quick commerce capabilities with Jahez’s strong food delivery network, we are creating a unified ecosystem that delivers greater value, convenience, and selection to customers.”

 “We’re proud to partner with Jahez, a much-loved and respected Saudi company that shares our values of speed, quality, and trust. By integrating their food delivery network into the noon app, and bringing noon Minutes to the Jahez platform, we’re building something bigger together—a faster, stronger, and more connected commerce network for the Kingdom,” Faraz Kahlid, CEO of noon, said.

Rollout timeline

Availability will roll out in two major phases:

  • November 2025: “noon Minutes” debuts within the Jahez app.
  • December 2025: Jahez food delivery launches inside the noon app.

For investors and analysts, this partnership not only signals deepening digital infrastructure and cross-platform synergy in Saudi Arabia, but also points to heightened competition and innovation in the Kingdom’s on-demand commerce sector.

Both companies stand poised to capture a larger share of the addressable market, drive higher engagement, and reinforce brand loyalty at scale—all while maintaining their independent operations and service standards.

Next wave of cloud and AI adoption to drive demand for advanced servers

TCN Bureau
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Next wave of cloud and AI adoption to drive demand for advanced servers
  • AI server shipments are forecast to grow by more than 20% in 2026, with AI servers accounting for an increased 17% share of overall server shipment.
  • AI server revenue is projected to grow by more than 30% in 2026, accounting for 74% of total server market value.
  • 2026 could mark the first time ASIC shipments surpass those of GPUs, gradually chipping away at NVIDIA’s dominance.

In the fast-evolving tech landscape of 2025 and beyond, the global AI server market is entering a fresh phase of expansion—driven by robust cloud spending and new heights in AI adoption.

According to TrendForce’s latest analysis, the world’s largest cloud service providers (CSPs) and the rise of sovereign cloud deployments will keep fueling demand for advanced servers.

The strong demand sets the stage for continued strength in both GPU and custom ASIC pull-ins, as AI moves from experimental phases into core business infrastructure for nearly every tech-forward corporation.

But behind these headline numbers are key shifts every executive should watch. While 2025 previously promised even higher growth, TrendForce has slightly tempered its forecast to about 24 per cent shipment growth.

Competitive landscape set for change

Supply chain realities—like US restrictions on NVIDIA’s H20 shipments to China and delays in new platform launches—have nudged forecasts down. Yet the opportunity remains enormous: new Blackwell full-rack platforms (GB200, GB300) are expected to lift AI server revenues by 48 per cent, thanks to their transformative performance and scalability.

Looking ahead, 2026 could prove even more pivotal. As GPU vendors pivot to integrated, rack-level solutions and cloud giants pour more capital into custom ASIC-based infrastructures, AI server revenue is projected to soar by over 30 per cent once again.

By then, nearly three-quarters of the total server market value will come from AI-centric machines—a dramatic shift that will reward innovative vendors and agile buyers alike.

But the competitive landscape is set for change. NVIDIA, the incumbent, still commands about 70 per cent of the AI chip market for now.

However, as North American and Chinese players ramp up efforts in custom ASICs, 2026 could mark the first time ASIC shipments surpass those of GPUs, gradually chipping away at NVIDIA’s dominance.

No less dramatic is the surge in demand for high bandwidth memory (HBM), the backbone for high-end AI chips. In 2025, HBM consumption is forecast to more than double, with rapid growth continuing into 2026—even after a 70 per cent jump in HBM demand.

The reason? The insatiable appetite for generative AI and the advance of memory-hungry platforms from Google, AWS, and third-party silicon innovators.

Executives and procurement teams have additional pricing dynamics to consider. Hot demand for HBM3e has pushed prices up by 5–10 per cent in 2025, but relief is on the horizon: by 2026, Samsung’s qualification will bring the market to a three-way supplier race, allowing buyers to regain bargaining power.

For those able to leap to HBM4, premium pricing (and profit margins) are expected to hold—at least until all memory majors clear qualification, which could reignite tough negotiations.

Investors favour Alphabet as big tech ramps up capital outlays for AI

Ana Mary Joseph
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Investors favour Alphabet as big tech ramps up capital outlays for AI
  • The complexity and opacity of circular investments among major players have heightened this wariness.
  • Amazon will provide more clues about AI investment trends when it reports third-quarter results on Thursday.

Three of the largest US technology firms announced plans to sharply increase capital spending next year, but only Alphabet, Google’s parent company, saw its shares surge as investors weighed the costs and sustainability of competing in artificial intelligence.

Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta each revealed higher annual capital expenditure targets, prioritising new investments in chips and data centres to power their AI ambitions.

While all three reported robust revenue growth, markets responded unevenly: Alphabet stock jumped 7.3 per cent after its upbeat report, while Microsoft and Meta fell 3 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively, in premarket trading.

The key differentiator

Alphabet has the ability to fund its aggressive investments with strong cash flow. In the third quarter, Alphabet spent $23.95 billion on capital expenditures—a sum equal to 49 per cent of its operating cash flow. By contrast, Meta and Microsoft spent 64.6 per cent and 77.5 per cent of their cash flow, respectively, raising red flags for investors worried about shrinking free cash flow.

With AI driving a wave of multi-billion-dollar deals—but little detail provided on AI’s direct contribution to revenue and profits—investors are becoming increasingly cautious. The complexity and opacity of circular investments among major players have heightened this wariness.

Nonetheless, tech executives remain resolute. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged the risk of over-investing but said, “In the worst-case scenario, we’d see some loss and depreciation, but we’d grow into that and use it over time.”

Strong cash flow, analysts say, gives companies like Alphabet a greater ability to withstand lower short-term returns as they build up AI infrastructure.

Looking ahead, attention now turns to Amazon, a key cloud computing competitor, which will provide more clues about AI investment trends when it reports third-quarter results on Thursday.

Meta’s AI ambitions ignite capital spend surge

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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Meta’s AI ambitions ignite capital spend surge
  • Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, and OpenAI are also scaling up, fueling concerns of an industry-wide AI bubble


Meta Platforms jolted investors with a bold forecast for “notably larger” capital expenditures in 2026, driven by an aggressive push into artificial intelligence.

The tech giant revealed that surging investments—primarily in new AI data centres—would fuel a sharp rise in costs as it races to close the AI gap with rivals Microsoft and Alphabet.

While Meta reported a robust 26 per cent year-on-year increase in third-quarter revenue that exceeded estimates, investor enthusiasm quickly faded as costs outpaced sales, jumping 32 per cent compared to last year. Shares, up 28 per cent year-to-date, tumbled 8 per cent in after-hours trading as Wall Street reacted to CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s expansive capital plans—moves expected to compress profit margins.

Betting big on superintelligence

Meta is now front-loading billions into expanding its AI computing infrastructure, eyeing “superintelligence”: the industry’s aspirational milestone where machines surpass human intellect. “There’s a range of timelines for when people think that we’re going to get superintelligence,” Zuckerberg told analysts.

“I think it’s the right strategy to aggressively front-load building capacity so that we’re prepared for the most optimistic cases.”
If the milestone is delayed, Meta plans to deploy the surplus computing power to accelerate its core businesses, adding flexibility to the strategy. But the immediate pressure is clear: the company upped its capital expenditure outlook for 2025 to $70–72 billion, from a prior floor of $66 billion.

Meta’s bottom line this quarter absorbed a near $16 billion one−time charge tied to President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” slashing reported net income to $2.71 billion. Strip out the charge, and net income would have reached $18.64 billion—demonstrating continued operating strength beneath headline numbers.

Market competition

Meta has doubled down on AI capabilities after a late start, recently reorganising its AI ambitions under the new “Superintelligence Labs” and snapping up top AI talent and Nvidia’s elite chips.

The push is already yielding returns: Meta’s AI-powered advertising platform allows marketers to automate campaigns, translate and generate content, and target segmented audiences at scale.
The AI data centre spending spree isn’t unique to Meta—Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, and OpenAI are also scaling up, fueling concerns of an industry-wide AI bubble.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently set an eye-watering goal of building out 1 gigawatt of compute capacity every week—with each gigawatt costing over $40 billion. Cost pressures and the demands for future results are prompting tech giants to seek partnerships and scrutinise spending.

Meta’s platforms continue to dominate, with more than 3.5 billion people using at least one of its apps daily. The company is expanding monetisation, recently launching ads on WhatsApp and Threads, and challenging TikTok and YouTube Shorts with Instagram Reels.

For the current quarter, Meta forecasts revenue between $56–59 billion, bracketing analysts’ estimates and reinforcing its resilience despite escalating expenses.

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