The “Pearl at the Top of the Manufacturing Crown”—robotics—stands as a crucial benchmark for a nation’s scientific innovation and advanced manufacturing prowess. In recent years, fueled by supportive policies, corporate drive, and technological advancements, China’s robotics sector has flourished. The industry is witnessing rapid expansion in scale, continuous enhancement of technical capabilities, a growing variety of products, and a constant stream of innovative applications across key fields. Concurrently, propelled by the rapid development of the digital economy and the accelerated transformation of the manufacturing sector, robots are achieving deeper and more extensive integration with new-generation information technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and new materials. The China robot industry is swiftly advancing toward greater intelligence, interconnectivity, and digitalization.
The market scale of the China robot industry is growing rapidly. Industrial robots have maintained their position as the world’s largest application market for seven consecutive years. The potential demand for service robots is enormous, and the application scenarios for special-purpose robots are expanding significantly. In 2020, revenue growth for major robot manufacturing enterprises in China was notable. Industrial robot manufacturers achieved revenues of 53.17 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.0%, with total profits reaching 1.77 billion yuan. Manufacturers of special-purpose robots reported revenues of 2.88 billion yuan, up 24.7% year-on-year, with profits of 120 million yuan. Service and consumer robot manufacturers saw revenues of 10.31 billion yuan, surging 31.3%, with profits totaling 70 million yuan.
Breakthroughs are being made in core robotics technologies. As China’s collaborative innovation system encompassing industry, academia, research, and application gradually improves, the competitiveness of domestic robot brands is steadily strengthening. Key component technologies, including controllers, servo systems, and reducers, have seen breakthroughs, with the market share of domestic core components continuously increasing. Domestic harmonic reducers now hold over 60% of the market share within the domestic robot brand segment, and domestic RV reducers have entered the stage of batch production and application. Furthermore, as China robot products penetrate more specialized fields, technological innovation driven by practical application has led to significant improvements in intelligent capabilities such as environmental perception, semantic understanding, and flexible control.
Innovative applications for robots are emerging endlessly. Compared to traditional methods, robots offer clear advantages in functional precision, service specialization, and application intelligence, greatly facilitating the expansion into new application areas. Robot density in China’s manufacturing sector is now significantly higher than the global average. Service and special-purpose robots are becoming important carriers for automation and digital transformation across various vertical sectors like logistics, education, entertainment, security, and healthcare. Since the global outbreak of COVID-19, the demand for “contactless” social public services has increased markedly, stimulating faster penetration of China robot solutions into more segmented fields.
Typical Application Scenarios and Case Studies
The “China Robot Industry Application Innovation White Paper (2021)” selected typical cases from 11 application scenarios during the “13th Five-Year Plan” period, including production manufacturing, smart logistics, intelligent security, live-line working, tunnel boring, commercial cleaning, smart retail, rehabilitation training, intelligent delivery, intelligent reception, and underwater fishing. It provides detailed analysis and summaries of application demands, technical challenges, case studies, investment and financing situations, and development trends for each scenario, offering recommendations for future development.
1. Production Manufacturing
Demand Analysis: Robust demand for manufacturing transformation is a key driver. As China’s demographic dividend wanes and labor costs continue to rise, robots offer significant advantages over traditional methods for highly repetitive, dangerous, or harsh-environment tasks. Their characteristics of high precision, stability, and low defect rates make them vital for improving product consistency, optimizing processes, and upgrading manufacturing. While robot usage density in Chinese manufacturing continues to grow, it still lags behind leading developed nations, indicating substantial potential for further increase.
Technical Challenges: Key challenges include advanced motion control for precision and stability, core component technology (controllers, reducers, servo drives, sensors), process algorithm packages for specific applications (welding, painting, etc.), and digital twin technology for simulation, monitoring, and predictive maintenance.
Application Case – Rokae Robotics XB Series: This series is used for grinding, handling, sorting, and inspection. Key technical advantages include online speed planning based on a full dynamic model for improved performance, OptiMotion technology to boost productivity by 30%, and physical limits based on the power system to extend lifespan. In a piston manufacturing application, these robots, equipped with custom floating grinding mechanisms and tools, effectively removed burrs from various complex features, enhancing production efficiency.
Investment & Financing (2018-2021):
- 2018: 9 investment events.
- 2019: 43 investment events.
- 2020: 55 investment events.
- 2021: 47 investment events.
Development Trends: While progress is evident, areas for improvement include enhancing the performance and reliability of whole machines and key components for high-end markets, breaking through advanced integration and application process technologies, deepening integration with emerging technologies like AI and 5G, and urgently strengthening safety protection levels for functional safety, information security, and human-robot collaboration.
2. Smart Logistics
Demand Analysis: The logistics industry is entering a phase of intensive innovation and rapid expansion. Rising costs and labor shortages in this labor-intensive sector make robots an effective solution for lowering operational costs and improving efficiency for warehousing, transportation, and sorting tasks.
Technical Challenges: Core technologies involve navigation and positioning through multi-sensor fusion, precise motion control, autonomous driving capabilities for outdoor vehicles, and multi-robot cluster control for optimized system efficiency.
Application Case – Lanjian Intelligent Hive Storage System: This system comprises stackers, high-speed sorters, multi-layer shuttles, AGVs, and real-time monitoring systems. Its advantages include lightweight, high-speed shuttle design, proprietary UHS scheduling algorithms, high-speed parallel processing, and optimized operational rules for load balancing. In a tobacco logistics application, it achieved integrated storage and sorting management, significantly boosting intelligence levels.
Investment & Financing (2018-2021):
- 2018: 15 investment events.
- 2019: 28 investment events.
- 2020: 33 investment events.
- 2021: 16 investment events.
Development Trends: Future directions include enriching product varieties with multi-functional composite robots, improving environmental adaptability for both indoor and outdoor complex scenarios, accelerating the integration of technologies like machine vision and AI, and enhancing connectivity with industry platforms like e-commerce to form new logistics ecosystems.
3. Intelligent Security
Demand Analysis: Intelligent upgrades in the security industry and difficulties in recruiting personnel for repetitive, risky patrols are driving demand. Robots can provide customized services for diverse inspection needs in complex environments like airports, warehouses, and communities.
Technical Challenges: Challenges involve robust motion control for varied terrains, multi-sensor information fusion for accurate anomaly detection, and real-time video transmission technologies for clear, secure monitoring.
Application Case – Dalu Zhiyuan ANDI Security Robot: The ANDI robot features a stable six-wheel drive chassis capable of handling complex terrain, a proprietary stable operating system (DLROS), a 5G-enabled cloud platform for real-time control, and an easy-to-use smart control system. It has been deployed for public security tasks in Xinjiang, for epidemic prevention in hospitals, and for patrols in industrial parks and residential communities.
Investment & Financing (2018-2021):
- 2018: 2 investment events.
- 2019: 4 investment events.
- 2021: 3 investment events.
Development Trends: Advancements are needed in cross-scenario navigation switching, adaptability to harsh weather and complex environments, functional expansion for modular customization and multi-robot coordination, and improved intelligent tracking in crowded areas.
4. Live-Line Working
Demand Analysis: The need for power grid maintenance without power interruption and the imperative to reduce accidents in high-risk高空 (high-altitude) and high-voltage environments are creating demand for robots that can assist or replace workers in dangerous live-line operations.
Technical Challenges: Key technologies are binocular vision for positioning and measurement in complex outdoor settings, visual servoing for precise tool manipulation, force telepresence for operator feedback, hydraulic robotic arm technology for heavy lifting with high insulation, and coordinated dual-arm path planning.
Application Case – SINOMACH Intelligent Live-Line Working Robot: This robot system features master-slave hydraulic manipulators and an environmental perception system. It leverages mature servo motor and hydraulic control technologies, as well as in-house design and control platforms. It has been demonstrated and applied by power grid companies in southern China.
Investment & Financing (2018-2021):
- 2018: 2 investment events.
Development Trends: Focus areas include enhancing safety and insulation design, improving human-robot collaboration through better visual and force feedback, strengthening lightweight design for better load-to-weight ratios on insulated lifts, and perfecting automatic tool switching systems.
5. Tunnel Boring
Demand Analysis: Major infrastructure projects and the need to improve safety, quality, and efficiency in hazardous tunneling environments are driving the development of robotic solutions for drilling, boring, and supporting.
Technical Challenges: Challenges encompass intelligent rock mass classification for optimized drilling parameters, precise positioning and 3D tunnel reconstruction, fully automated boom navigation for drilling, and intelligent control for support robots installing steel arches and spraying concrete.
Application Case – CRCHI Tunnel Construction Intelligent Robots: CRCHI’s product line includes intelligent drilling robots for drill-and-blast tunnels and TBM intelligent support robots. Their advantages include real-time geological analysis, dynamic parameter optimization, high-precision positioning, 3D contour scanning, fully automatic drilling, risk analysis for collapse, automatic steel arch installation, intelligent concrete spraying, and autonomous support decision-making. These China robot solutions have been deployed in major domestic and international railway, highway, and water conservancy projects.
Development Trends: Future efforts should focus on elevating intelligent control for fault prediction and precise guidance, broadening application scenarios with different tunneling methods and machine profiles (e.g., rectangular, circular).
6. Commercial Cleaning
Demand Analysis: Labor shortages in the cleaning industry, the转型 (transformation) of service models, and pandemic-induced demand for contactless cleaning are accelerating the adoption of autonomous cleaning robots in public spaces like airports, malls, and parks.
Technical Challenges: The main challenges are efficient cleaning path planning and obstacle avoidance, intelligent perception and identification of litter, and cluster control technology for managing fleets of robots.
Application Case – GaoXian Cleaning Robots: GaoXian focuses on full-stack algorithms for perception, mapping, and navigation. Its strengths are sensor fusion for reliable SLAM, innovative structural design for reliability, AI-based path planning algorithms for high coverage, and deep learning for continuous improvement. Its robots have been deployed at Beijing Daxing International Airport and on urban roads in Guangzhou.
Investment & Financing (2018-2021):
- 2018: 3 investment events.
- 2019: 5 investment events.
- 2020: 11 investment events.
- 2021: 2 investment events.
Development Trends: Improvements are needed in motion performance and intelligence for dynamic environments, cleaning capability and component durability, cluster control and management via 5G and AI, and expansion into more specialized and customized cleaning segments (e.g., building facades, medical institutions).
7. Smart Retail
Demand Analysis: The digital and intelligent transformation of retail, coupled with demand for contactless services post-pandemic, is creating opportunities for robots that can prepare and sell food and beverages, enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.
Technical Challenges: Technologies include coordinated control of robotic arms for precise manipulation, natural human-robot interaction via voice and gesture, and autonomous navigation for mobile retail units.
Application Case – Orion Star Robotic Coffee Master Bao: This robotic barista uses two high-precision arms to replicate master brewing techniques. It features AI visual guidance for grabbing items, a proprietary brewing system controlling seven variables, and full automation including self-cleaning. It has been deployed in pharmacies, shopping malls, and tech parks, offering safe, contactless service during the pandemic.
Investment & Financing (2018-2021):
- 2018: 2 investment events.
- 2019: 4 investment events.
- 2020: 2 investment events.
Development Trends: Key areas are improving integration with traditional retail backend systems, breaking through limitations in the variety and complexity of goods that can be prepared, and enhancing commercial promotion value through diverse business models and expansion into more cities and场景 (scenarios).
8. Rehabilitation Training
Demand Analysis: A massive shortage of rehabilitation therapists and the high cost and time intensity of traditional therapy are driving the need for robotic assistants that can help patients with repetitive, guided exercises for upper and lower limbs or through brain-computer interfaces.
Technical Challenges: Challenges involve intelligent force and motion control for adaptable assistance, immersive human-robot interaction, accurate and stable brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, electromyography (EMG) control, and lightweight, user-friendly design.
Application Case – Haitian Intelligent BCI Rehabilitation Robot: This China robot system pioneers the shift from passive to active rehabilitation by using BCI to decode a patient’s movement intention and trigger functional electrical stimulation, promoting neural remodeling. It boasts a high EEG decoding accuracy rate (92.3%), incorporates virtual reality, and is applicable across the rehabilitation cycle. It is used in hundreds of medical institutions across China.
Investment & Financing (2018-2021):
- 2018: 2 investment events.
- 2019: 8 investment events.
- 2020: 11 investment events.
- 2021: 19 investment events.
Development Trends: Priorities include perfecting collaborative safety mechanisms, improving lightweight design and portability using new materials, and enhancing rehabilitation outcomes through better adaptive feedback, human-robot fusion, and cloud-based data sharing for optimized training plans.
9. Intelligent Delivery
Demand Analysis: The need for cost reduction and efficiency in labor-intensive delivery sectors (food, logistics), amplified by the demand for contactless services during the pandemic, has spurred growth in robots that can autonomously deliver items indoors (hotels, hospitals) and outdoors (campuses).
Technical Challenges: Technologies required are environmental perception for complex settings, low-speed autonomous driving for outdoor navigation, precise indoor navigation, natural voice interaction, multi-robot scheduling, and IoT integration with buildings (elevators, doors).
Application Case – Yunji Technology Run 3 Delivery Robot: Designed for hotel deliveries, this robot can autonomously navigate, avoid obstacles, call and ride elevators, and carry multiple items. Its intelligent scheduling system manages device interactions. It is deployed in thousands of hotels globally and was used for contactless delivery in office buildings during the pandemic.
Investment & Financing (2018-2021):
- 2018: 3 investment events.
- 2019: 5 investment events.
- 2020: 15 investment events.
- 2021: 9 investment events.
Development Trends: Future development should focus on perfecting voice interaction for noisy environments, improving autonomous driving safety in complex, dynamic outdoor settings, enhancing item security and hygiene (e.g., with disinfection, cold storage), and boosting overall efficiency by integrating with a full ecosystem of smart infrastructure (access control, elevators, buildings) and utilizing cloud-based fleet coordination.
10. Intelligent Reception
Demand Analysis: The intelligent transformation of the service industry and post-pandemic preference for contactless interactions are fueling demand for reception robots that can handle inquiries, provide guidance, and offer information in settings like exhibition halls, hospitals, and government offices.
Technical Challenges: Key technologies are autonomous navigation in crowded spaces, reliable obstacle avoidance, and advanced voice interaction with deep semantic understanding for vertical domains.
Application Case – Orion Star Leopard Secret Robot: This reception robot excels in voice recognition and synthesis, visual recognition, and motion navigation using multi-sensor fusion. It has served at major events like the China International Fair for Trade in Services, supported hospitals during COVID-19 by enabling remote triage, and is widely used in shopping malls across China for customer service.
Investment & Financing (2018-2021):
- 2019: 3 investment events.
- 2020: 7 investment events.
- 2021: 4 investment events.
Development Trends: Advancements are needed in voice interaction for multiple languages and accents, improving obstacle avoidance in highly unpredictable environments, enhancing customization capabilities for more public service sectors, and exploring diverse locomotion methods beyond wheels for greater adaptability.
11. Underwater Fishing
Demand Analysis: National ocean development strategies, the need to protect divers from hazardous work, and the goal of sustainable, ecologically friendly fishing practices are driving the development of robots for aquaculture and seabed harvesting.
Technical Challenges: Major hurdles include underwater image enhancement in turbid conditions, autonomous obstacle avoidance in complex seabed terrain, autonomous grasping strategies for diverse marine organisms, and cluster operation technology for efficient fleet management.
Application Case – Liaoning Underwater Robot Engineering Research Center Fishing Robot: This China robot system demonstrates capabilities in image clarification, small target perception, autonomous grasping, and path planning. It set a record in a competition for the number of items retrieved. It has been used commercially in aquaculture, saving costs compared to divers and minimizing ecological damage compared to trawling.
Investment & Financing (2018-2021):
- 2018: 5 investment events.
- 2019: 2 investment events.
- 2020: 7 investment events.
- 2021: 4 investment events.
Development Trends: Key areas for progress are improving underwater communication efficiency by fusing acoustic and optical methods, enhancing energy supply for longer endurance, advancing automatic control for stable operation in dynamic currents, and expanding grasping capabilities through modular end-effector designs for different tasks.
Summary and Recommendations
The global race for robotics supremacy is intensifying. While China holds the position of the world’s largest market, and its industry has made significant strides with emerging competitive brands, challenges in foundational technology and high-end market penetration persist. The continued healthy development of the China robot ecosystem requires concerted efforts across several fronts.
1. Strengthen Core Technologies and Improve Product Quality
It is essential to solidify the industrial foundation by fostering collaborative innovation among whole-machine manufacturers, component suppliers, integrators, and end-users. Focus must remain on breakthroughs in core technologies and key common technologies to address shortcomings and systematically enhance the quality and reliability of China robot products.
2. Solve Practical Problems and Promote Widespread Application
Moving beyond “gimmicky” products, the industry should deeply cultivate solutions that address real-world pain points in specific scenarios. Application should be the driving force. Implementing exemplary demonstration projects in key regions and high-end fields can create industry benchmarks. Strengthening application iteration and experience accumulation will build credibility for excellent enterprises and products, facilitating the broader adoption of successful models.
3. Deeply Integrate Emerging Technologies and Innovate Service Models
The future lies in deeper convergence with technologies like next-generation communications, AI, and new materials to augment robot intelligence, flexibility, and precision. Enhancing human-robot collaboration and interconnectivity between devices is crucial. Realizing swarm intelligence can maximize operational efficiency. Using robots as a carrier to innovate service models will break application boundaries and create new value, accelerating the digital and intelligent transformation of all industries.
4. Standardize the Market and Foster a Healthy Development Environment
The role of third-party industrial foundation public service platforms, such as national robot testing and evaluation centers, should be continuously reinforced. Improving testing capabilities, accelerating the formulation of急需 (urgently needed) standards, strengthening the robot certification system (e.g., CR certification), and increasing the adoption of certifications are vital steps to regulate the market and create a fair, healthy, and orderly development environment for the China robot industry.
| Robot Segment | Revenue | Year-on-Year Growth | Total Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Robots | 53.17 billion yuan | 6.0% | 1.77 billion yuan |
| Special-purpose Robots | 2.88 billion yuan | 24.7% | 120 million yuan |
| Service & Consumer Robots | 10.31 billion yuan | 31.3% | 70 million yuan |