Igus at IREX Japan 2025 – Inside the World’s Biggest Robot Exhibition
IREX Japan 2025 (International Robot Exhibition) once again proved why it is regarded as the largest and most influential robotics exhibition in the world. Held in Tokyo, IREX brings together the global robotics industry — from industrial automation giants to emerging innovators shaping the future of manufacturing, logistics, and service robotics.
One of the standout exhibitors this year was Igus, a company well known for its motion plastics, low-cost automation solutions, and robotics components designed to make automation more accessible, reliable, and scalable.
This article provides an overview of Igus at IREX Japan 2025, what they showcased, and why their approach matters as robotics adoption accelerates globally.
What Is IREX Japan?
The International Robot Exhibition (IREX) is the world’s largest robot trade show, held every two years in Japan. It showcases:
Industrial robots and robot arms
Collaborative robots (cobots)
Humanoid and service robots
Factory automation and smart manufacturing
AI-driven robotics and sensing technologies
IREX is not about concepts alone — it focuses heavily on deployable, working robotics solutions already being used in real environments.
Who Are Igus?
Igus is a global leader in motion plastics, specialising in high-performance polymer components that replace traditional metal parts. Within robotics and automation, Igus is known for:
Low-cost robot arms
Linear motion systems
Energy chains
Maintenance-free bearings
Dry-running plastic components
Their philosophy is simple but powerful:
Reduce cost, reduce maintenance, and increase reliability.
This approach makes Igus particularly attractive to SMEs, system integrators, and manufacturers looking to automate without the complexity and expense of traditional industrial robotics.
Igus at IREX Japan 2025 – Key Themes
1. Low-Cost Automation at Scale
One of the strongest messages from Igus at IREX 2025 was the continued push for low-cost automation. Rather than positioning robotics as a large capital investment, Igus focuses on:
Fast deployment
Simple integration
Reduced servicing requirements
Predictable total cost of ownership
This is especially relevant for companies that want to start small, test automation, and then scale.
2. Practical Robotics, Not Hype
Igus’ solutions are not designed to impress with complexity — they are designed to work reliably in real environments.
At IREX, the focus was on:
Robot arms performing repeatable tasks
Linear systems handling pick-and-place operations
Components built for continuous operation without lubrication
This practical mindset aligns with the growing demand for ROI-driven robotics adoption.
3. Supporting System Integrators and OEMs
Igus positions itself as an enabler rather than a closed ecosystem. Their products are designed to integrate easily into:
Existing automation lines
Custom robotic cells
OEM robot designs
For system integrators and robot manufacturers, this flexibility is a major advantage.
Why This Matters for Robotics in 2025
As we move into 2025 and beyond, the robotics industry is shifting away from:
❌ Large, complex, bespoke automation projects
And toward:
✅ Modular, affordable, deployable robotics
Igus sits firmly in this second category.
The growth of:
SME automation
Warehouse robotics
Light industrial robotics
Educational and R&D robots
all benefit from lower barriers to entry, which is exactly what Igus is addressing.
Key Takeaways from Igus at IREX 2025
Low-cost automation is no longer a niche — it’s mainstream
Reliability and maintenance reduction matter more than raw performance
SMEs are becoming a core robotics customer group
Practical deployment beats futuristic concepts
Watch the Full Video
For a closer look at Igus at IREX Japan 2025, including real-world robotics examples from the show floor, watch the full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JkI4bPWM8A
🎥 Igus Overview – IREX Japan 2025: The World’s Biggest Robot Exhibition
Partners & Sponsors
This content is supported by:
Robot Center – Industrial & Collaborative Robotics
🔗 https://robotcenter.co.uk/
Robots of London – Robots for Events, Marketing & Hire
🔗 https://robotsoflondon.co.uk/
Robot Philosophy (RoboPhil) – Robotics Insights, Workshops & Consulting
🔗 https://robophil.com/
Work With Us
If you’re looking to:
Launch robotics in the UK
Explore low-cost automation
Run robot-led events
Develop a robotics strategy
📧 info@robophil.com
📞 0845 528 0404
Final Thoughts
IREX Japan remains the global benchmark for robotics exhibitions, and Igus continues to demonstrate why accessible, reliable automation is critical to the next phase of robotics growth.
As robotics adoption accelerates across industries, companies that focus on simplicity, cost-efficiency, and real-world usability will lead the way — and Igus is clearly one of them.