Global Lab Automation for In-Vitro Diagnostics Market to Reach US$7.4 Billion by 2030

The global market for Lab Automation for In-Vitro Diagnostics estimated at US$5.6 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$7.4 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.8% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Automated Plate Handler, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 4.0% CAGR and reach US$2.9 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Automated Liquid Handler segment is estimated at 5.7% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$1.5 Billion While China is Forecast to Grow at 7.5% CAGR

The Lab Automation for In-Vitro Diagnostics market in the U.S. is estimated at US$1.5 Billion in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$1.4 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 7.5% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 2.4% and 4.8% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 3.1% CAGR.

Global Lab Automation For In-Vitro Diagnostics Market - Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

Why Is Lab Automation Transforming the In-Vitro Diagnostics Landscape at an Unprecedented Pace?
Lab automation in the field of in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) is emerging as a pivotal driver of operational efficiency, diagnostic accuracy, and high-throughput capabilities in clinical laboratories worldwide. The surge in diagnostic demand-exacerbated by aging populations, chronic disease prevalence, and the global emphasis on personalized medicine-is compelling healthcare institutions to deploy scalable automation systems. From sample processing and reagent handling to result interpretation and data integration, automation is reducing human error and turnaround times while ensuring consistency across high-volume testing environments. Automation is no longer confined to high-end central labs; it is steadily permeating mid-size hospital labs and decentralized point-of-care (PoC) settings through modular, customizable systems.

An additional factor accelerating automation is the increasing complexity and volume of diagnostic tests, including molecular diagnostics, immunoassays, and clinical chemistry panels. To keep pace, laboratories are adopting end-to-end automation solutions encompassing pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical stages. Instruments such as automated liquid handlers, robotic sample sorters, and integrated chemistry-analyzer systems are being adopted not only to boost throughput but also to manage biosafety risks and labor shortages. Automation is also contributing to standardization-a crucial requirement in multi-center clinical trials and national disease surveillance networks. The global push for pandemic preparedness and antimicrobial resistance monitoring is further reinforcing the importance of automated diagnostic infrastructures.

How Are Technological Innovations Reshaping Automation Workflows in IVD Labs?
Technological advancements are reshaping automation workflows in IVD by integrating robotics, AI-driven decision support, and cloud-based laboratory information systems (LIS). Robotics plays a key role in sample sorting, tube labeling, centrifugation, aliquoting, and archiving-functions that previously relied on skilled personnel. Robotic arms, conveyor tracks, and barcode scanners are now synchronized through middleware solutions, ensuring traceability and real-time analytics throughout the diagnostic pipeline. High-end automation tracks, such as Siemens` Aptio Automation and Roche’s cobas® connection modules, offer customizable configurations that allow labs to build scalable and modular systems tailored to fluctuating test volumes.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are increasingly embedded within automation platforms to support result interpretation, flagging of abnormal patterns, and predictive maintenance of equipment. In particular, AI algorithms are being trained on large datasets to reduce false positives and improve diagnostic specificity, particularly in fields like hematology and infectious disease diagnostics. Cloud-based LIS platforms are facilitating seamless data exchange across departments, institutions, and geographies, fostering collaborative diagnostics and remote monitoring. Furthermore, predictive analytics tools are helping labs forecast demand surges, optimize reagent inventory, and allocate resources dynamically-critical functions during public health emergencies.

Miniaturization and microfluidic innovations are enabling the development of compact automation systems tailored for decentralized diagnostics. These systems are particularly valuable in resource-limited settings, where infrastructure constraints previously precluded advanced diagnostics. Additionally, vendor-neutral automation interfaces are enabling interoperability among instruments from different manufacturers, making it easier for labs to adopt automation incrementally without complete overhauls. This interoperability trend is broadening adoption across emerging markets and mid-tier clinical settings, driving global market penetration.

Which End-Use Settings and Diagnostic Applications Are Accelerating Automation Adoption?
The adoption of lab automation in IVD is accelerating across various healthcare delivery models, including academic medical centers, private diagnostic labs, hospital networks, and public health agencies. Large centralized laboratories remain the most prominent adopters, utilizing full track automation systems to process tens of thousands of samples daily. However, hospital-based labs are increasingly investing in modular automation-especially for high-volume assays such as complete blood counts, thyroid function tests, and infectious disease panels. These settings benefit from improved workflow efficiency, reduced sample handling errors, and rapid response times critical for emergency and inpatient care.

Molecular diagnostics is one of the fastest-growing application areas for automation, fueled by increasing demand for PCR-based and next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays. Automated nucleic acid extraction, thermal cycling, and result integration are helping labs scale their molecular testing portfolios while maintaining accuracy and compliance. Immunodiagnostics is another major segment benefiting from automation, particularly for hormone, allergy, and autoimmune panels. Meanwhile, microbiology labs are deploying automated incubators, colony pickers, and susceptibility testing systems to accelerate pathogen identification and streamline antimicrobial resistance profiling.

The rise of multi-disease test panels and syndromic testing-where multiple pathogens or biomarkers are analyzed from a single sample-is further boosting the appeal of automation in IVD. Automation platforms equipped with multiplexing capabilities enable labs to process a broader range of assays simultaneously, improving diagnostic yield and resource utilization. Public health surveillance programs, especially in infectious disease hotspots, are adopting automation to improve response times, ensure data consistency, and scale up testing capacity. As a result, the technology is extending its footprint beyond traditional urban hubs into tier-2 and tier-3 cities globally.

What Is Driving Growth in the Lab Automation for In-Vitro Diagnostics Market?
The growth in the global lab automation for in-vitro diagnostics market is driven by several factors including the rising burden of chronic and infectious diseases, demand for high-throughput diagnostics, and labor constraints in clinical laboratories. As testing volumes surge across the globe, especially in the post-pandemic era, laboratories are turning to automation as a sustainable solution to optimize operations and reduce human dependency. The increasing complexity of diagnostic tests, coupled with pressure to deliver accurate results in shorter timeframes, is fueling the transition from semi-automated to fully automated platforms.

Economic drivers include the falling cost of automation systems and the availability of leasing models, which are lowering the entry barriers for mid-size labs. Government-funded programs supporting disease surveillance, population health screening, and laboratory infrastructure modernization are creating favorable procurement environments in both developed and developing regions. Regulatory encouragement for test standardization, electronic traceability, and data security is further validating the role of automation in ensuring compliance with clinical and operational mandates.

Commercial growth is also being spurred by strategic partnerships between automation providers, IVD reagent manufacturers, and LIS vendors. These collaborations are enabling the development of integrated diagnostic ecosystems that reduce interface friction and streamline end-to-end workflows. Additionally, rising awareness among healthcare administrators about return on investment (ROI) from automation-measured in terms of reduced reagent wastage, minimized reruns, and improved patient satisfaction-is accelerating budget approvals for automation upgrades. Together, these dynamics are creating a robust foundation for sustained, innovation-led growth in the lab automation for in-vitro diagnostics market.