- Introduction: China’s Dominance in Global Robot Production
According to data released at the 2025 World Robot Conference, China has solidified its position as the world’s largest robot producer, accounting for two-thirds of global robot patent applications. In the first half of 2025, the revenue of the China robot industry surged by 27.8% year-on-year, with industrial robot output increasing by 35.6% and service robot output by 25.5%. The overseas expansion of the China robot industry is characterized by rapid scale growth and deep scenario penetration. During this period, China’s industrial robot exports rose by 61.5% year-on-year, while service robots and humanoid robots are also accelerating their global market entry. This trend underscores the growing influence of China robot enterprises on the international stage, driven by innovation and strategic outreach.
- Hong Kong IPOs: A Gateway to International Markets
Since the beginning of 2025, over ten robot industry chain companies have disclosed prospectuses on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Additionally, prominent firms in the embodied intelligence sector, such as Zhiyuan Robot and Unitree Robotics, are pursuing initial public offerings. The China robot sector has secured financing of 30 billion yuan in 2025, four times the amount from the same period last year. A consensus is emerging that robots, particularly humanoid robots, represent the next significant technological frontier, and China robot companies are at the forefront of this evolution.
China robot enterprises are opting for Hong Kong listings primarily for two reasons. Firstly, the listing requirements in Hong Kong are relatively lower, making it accessible for most robot companies that have not yet achieved profitability. Even industry leaders like Geek+, a warehouse robot specialist, continue to operate at a loss. Currently, humanoid robots lack stable business models, while the more mature industrial robot segment faces intense competition, limiting profitability. For instance, the top four players in the global AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) solutions market—Geek+, Hikrobot, Exotec, and Locus Robotics—collectively hold only 23.5% market share, reflecting a fragmented and highly competitive landscape. However, as a hot investment sector, investors prioritize future growth potential over short-term earnings. Thus, Hong Kong IPOs provide China robot companies with crucial capital infusion to fuel innovation and expansion.
Secondly, listing in Hong Kong serves as a strategic move to access international markets. Overseas markets are becoming the primary battleground for China robot enterprises seeking incremental growth, offering substantial orders and momentum. Some China robot firms already derive over 50% of their revenue from abroad. For latecomers in global expansion, accelerating efforts is essential to capture market share. The Hong Kong exchange thus acts as a springboard for China robot firms to enhance their global visibility and attract international investors, reinforcing the China robot industry’s global ambitions.
- Regionalized Strategies: Dual-Track Approach of R&D and Commercialization
The globalization strategy of China robot enterprises follows a dual-wheel drive model: in North America, the focus is on frontier technology collaboration and research and development, while in Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, the emphasis is on commercial deployment. This approach allows China robot companies to leverage strengths in different regions, optimizing their global footprint.
As Wang Xingxing, founder and CEO of Unitree Robotics, noted, “China possesses robust manufacturing and hardware capabilities, whereas the United States boasts a rich AI software ecosystem.” North America is viewed by many China robot companies as a hub for cutting-edge technology partnerships. Firms establishing presence there often concentrate on embodied intelligence and other advanced fields, collaborating with tech giants or academic institutions. For example, among the 14 robot companies partnering with NVIDIA, six are from the China robot sector: Xingdong Jiyuan, Zhiyuan Robot, Fourier Intelligence, Yinhe General, Unitree Robotics, and Xpeng Motors, surpassing the five from North America, two from Europe, and one from Israel. This highlights the active role of China robot entities in global tech alliances.
However, commercializing China robot products in North America remains challenging. High tariffs and conservative consumer attitudes toward robots are key obstacles. According to a Morgan Stanley survey, only 5% of U.S. respondents believe humanoid robots have a positive societal impact, compared to 61% in China. This perceptual gap hinders market adoption. Currently, North America accounts for less than 10% of China’s total robot exports, trailing Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, with little short-term improvement expected. Therefore, while R&D thrives in North America, sales focus elsewhere for the China robot industry.
In contrast, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia are prime markets for commercial implementation of China robot solutions. Key applications include industrial robots for enhancing automation and service robots for the cultural tourism sector. These regions offer fertile ground for China robot enterprises to demonstrate practical value and drive revenue growth.
Europe and Japan-South Korea have strong industrial automation foundations, driving demand for high-end AMRs and collaborative robots. For instance, Estun, a leading industrial robot maker, operates manufacturing bases in Haiger and Kronach, Germany, and is constructing a new plant in Poland set for 2026 operation. In the AMR segment, Geek+ generates over 70% of its revenue from markets outside mainland China, delivering products to more than 40 countries. According to industry forecasts, the global AMR market is projected to reach 162.1 billion yuan by 2029, growing at a 33.1% compound annual growth rate, indicating ample opportunities for China robot players.
Humanoid robots, despite hype about factory applications, currently find traction in service-oriented scenarios. Zhiyuan Robot, for example, is advancing rapidly in the Southeast Asian market, with use cases in exhibition guidance, entertainment performances, and commercial cleaning. The humanoid robot sector is in a nascent growth phase, with industry leaders exploring diverse applications and future directions. China robot companies are pivotal in this exploration, shaping the trajectory of humanoid robotics worldwide and expanding the scope of the China robot industry.
| Robot Category | Enterprise Name | Deployment Regions | Typical Scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Robots | Estun | Europe, Southeast Asia, India | Welding, handling, etc. |
| Industrial Robots | HuiChuan Technology | Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea | Welding, handling, etc. |
| Industrial Robots | Geek+ | Global | Comprehensive warehouse solutions |
| Industrial Robots | Dobot | Global | Collaborative robots |
| Industrial Robots | Effort | Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea | Welding, spraying, etc. |
| Industrial Robots | Rokae | Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea | Precision assembly, handling, etc. |
| Industrial Robots | Midea (KUKA) | Europe, Southeast Asia, India | Precision assembly, handling, medical, etc. |
| Industrial Robots | Siasun | Europe, Southeast Asia | AGV, welding, spraying, etc. |
| Service Robots | Keenon Robotics | Europe, North America, Japan, South Korea | Food delivery robots |
| Service Robots | Unitree Robotics | Global | Quadruped robots |
| Service Robots | Wo’an Robot | Europe, North America, Japan, South Korea | Embodied home robots |
| Service Robots | Roborock | Europe, North America, Japan, South Korea | Floor cleaning robots |
| Service Robots | Yunding Intelligence | Europe | Pool cleaning |
| Service Robots | Ecovacs | Europe, North America | Lawn mowing robots |
| Service Robots | Anno Robot | Europe, North America, Japan, South Korea | Coffee making |
| Humanoid Robots | Unitree Robotics | Global | Guidance, entertainment, research competitions |
| Humanoid Robots | Zhiyuan Robot | Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea | Guidance, entertainment performances, commercial cleaning |
| Humanoid Robots | UBTech | Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia | Various applications |
| Humanoid Robots | Xingdong Jiyuan | Europe, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia | Under exploration |
| Humanoid Robots | Yinhe General | Europe, Southeast Asia | Under exploration |
- Global Expansion of Domestic Robot Components
Not only are complete robot manufacturers going global, but various component suppliers from the China robot ecosystem are also expanding overseas. Currently, robot component companies are actively exploring international markets, with some seeing overseas revenue exceed domestic sales. This trend underscores the integral role of China robot supply chains in the global ecosystem, supporting the broader expansion of the China robot industry.
The uniqueness of robot components lies in their overlap with other industries; core parts such as sensors, lidar, chips, motor drives, and cooling systems are often critical for products like new energy vehicles. Xpeng, which entered the robot sector from automotive, noted that its robot and vehicle businesses share 70% technological synergy. Thus, with the globalization of new energy vehicles, these supply chain firms have generally embarked on overseas expansion earlier than many domestic robot startups, targeting markets in Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America. For instance, Changying Precision and IK Dong became suppliers for Tesla’s robots after already supplying Tesla’s electric cars. IK Dong derives significant overseas revenue from factories in Mexico and Malaysia; Jiechang Drive has bolstered production in Europe through acquisitions or investments in premium European companies; An Naida’s first plant in Vietnam is operational, with service networks established across Europe for localized support. These moves facilitate the global reach of China robot components and enhance the competitiveness of the China robot industry.
However, not all components benefit from cross-industry adoption. A prime example is the dexterous hand, crucial for humanoid robot functionality. These hands must mimic human hand complexity, enabling precise grasping and manipulation with over 20 degrees of freedom, sensitive motor drives, and hundreds of sensors. Per industry estimates, the dexterous hand market could surpass $3 billion by 2030. Foreign-made dexterous hands cost tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, but China enterprises, leveraging integrated supply chains, offer competitive pricing. Firms like In Time Robot, Zhaowei机电, Ao Yi Tech, and Lingxin Qiaoshou provide products across price segments. For example, Lingxin Qiaoshou’s 10-degree-of-freedom hand sells for as low as 20,000 yuan, and the 20-degree-of-freedom version for 50,000 yuan. With cost advantages, these products have reached overseas institutions like Cambridge University and are exploring applications beyond humanoid robots. While primarily exporting products, these component makers are poised to integrate deeper into global markets as China robot companies expand worldwide, reinforcing the synergy within the China robot industry and promoting its global influence.
- Integrated Solutions: Technology and Service Synergy in Global Expansion
The global expansion of the robot industry is not merely about product exports, but about exporting solutions and ecosystems. By integrating hardware and software, and combining technology with services, China robot enterprises can achieve successful globalization. This holistic approach is key to sustaining growth in competitive international markets and distinguishes the China robot industry from mere commodity exporters.
Consider Geek+, a warehouse robot leader with extensive global presence. Its core business involves selling and servicing AMR solutions. Its product portfolio covers the entire logistics chain from picking and sorting to handling, including “shelf-to-person,” “bin-to-person,” and “pallet-to-person” systems, along with intelligent sorting and transport. These solutions optimize warehouse operations and industrial logistics, enabling global clients to enhance efficiency and undergo digital transformation. Geek+ boasts a customer repurchase rate of 74.6% over the past three years, underpinning future growth and demonstrating the value of integrated offerings from China robot firms.
Similarly, in humanoid robotics, Yao Maoqing, partner at Zhiyuan Robot, emphasized that embodied intelligence requires iterative training in real-world scenarios, often involving customer collaboration for environment adaptation, rather than off-the-shelf deployment. Thus, partnering with local entities and delivering localized services are key to product implementation. Keenon Robotics has developed a fully self-researched technology stack and a closed-loop capability spanning R&D, smart manufacturing, and deployment, with products certified in over 60 countries, exemplifying the global reach of China robot innovation. Building ecosystems through upstream-downstream integration is essential for global expansion and sustaining competitive advantage for China robot enterprises. By fostering partnerships and providing comprehensive support, China robot companies can overcome localization barriers and thrive abroad, solidifying the China robot industry’s reputation for reliability and innovation.
- Standards Going Global: From “Technology Catch-up” to “Technology Definition”
Historically, international robot standards have been led by bodies like ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), with strong input from European, U.S., and Japanese companies. But as China robot firms advance technologically, they are increasingly involved in shaping standards, marking a shift from follower to definer in the global arena.
In service robots, the China robot sector has spearheaded 13 international standards. For instance, IEC 63310, which sets performance criteria for assistive living robots in smart homes, has been adopted in 20 nations. It mandates fall detection within 0.5 seconds, catalyzing a 240% surge in China’s exports of elderly-care robots. This achievement highlights how standards going global can drive commercial success for the China robot industry, showcasing its ability to set benchmarks that resonate worldwide.
Humanoid robotics offers another avenue for standards expansion. As China-made humanoid robots deploy globally, they introduce Chinese interface protocols, communication standards, and operating system frameworks, spreading domestic norms. IFR President Takayuki Ito observed that China is rapidly redefining the robot industry’s global value chain, evolving from “world factory” to “standard setter.” This transition underscores the growing influence of China robot enterprises in setting global benchmarks and shaping the future of robotics, positioning the China robot industry as a leader in technological definition.
In conclusion, the China robot industry is poised for continued global expansion through strategic IPOs, regionalized approaches, component exports, integrated solutions, and standard-setting. With innovation and adaptability, China robot companies are not only capturing market share but also redefining the rules of the game on the world stage, ensuring that the China robot industry remains at the forefront of the global robotics revolution.