In recent months, China’s intelligent robot industry has emerged as a focal point of both policy support and market enthusiasm, with nationwide initiatives and surging capital inflows propelling the sector to new heights. From national strategies to local regulations, governments at all levels are prioritizing technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and ecosystem building in robotics, while A-share markets have seen relentless investor interest in robot-related stocks. This dual momentum—policy backing and market demand—has solidified the intelligent robot sector as a cornerstone of China’s emerging high-tech economy.
1. Embodied Intelligent Robots Take Center Stage: Chongqing’s Strategic Leap
Chongqing has positioned itself as a vanguard in China’s intelligent robot landscape, leveraging policy momentum and industrial collaboration to drive breakthroughs in embodied intelligence. On February 26, 2025, the Chongqing Robot and Intelligent Equipment Federation hosted the “2025 Embodied Intelligent Robot Technology Industry Finance Conference,” featuring strategic partnerships with major enterprises like SERES, Changan Automobile, and Chongqing Construction Industry. The event notably included a signing ceremony for a 10-billion-yuan credit cooperation with the Bank of Communications, the unveiling of an Embodied Intelligent Robot Expert Committee, and the appointment of committee members, underscoring the city’s commitment to integrating finance, technology, and industry.
Chongqing’s policy framework exemplifies the broader national push for robotic advancement. The city’s “Robot+ Application Action Plan (2024–2027)” outlines a target of expanding robot applications across manufacturing, agriculture, and intelligent construction, aiming to drive the industry scale beyond 80 billion yuan by 2027. Additionally, the “Several Policy Measures to Support the Innovative Development of Embodied Intelligent Robot Industry” issued at the end of 2024 has kickstarted the first batch of “揭榜挂帅” (open competition) projects, focusing on technological research and development (R&D) and scenario deployment.
The results are tangible: Chongqing now hosts over 300 enterprises along the entire robot industry chain, with 2024 witnessing steady growth in both the number and quality of high-performing firms, paralleled by rising investment and industrial development. This ecosystem-building approach has made the city a model for how local policies can catalyze intelligent robot innovation.
2. Nationwide Policy Tailwinds: A Multifaceted Support System
Chongqing is not alone in its robotic ambitions. Since 2024, provinces and municipalities across China—including Shanghai, Anhui, Hangzhou, and Shandong—have rolled out comprehensive industrial development plans for intelligent robots. These policies commonly focus on four key areas: technological breakthroughs, financial support, application scenario expansion, and local standard-setting.
2.1 Technological Breakthroughs: Core Components and AI Integration
National and local policies alike emphasize the need to master core components such as sensors and reducers, identifying these as critical bottlenecks for domestic robot manufacturers. Simultaneously, there is a strong push to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with robot technologies, aiming to elevate intelligent perception, decision-making, and execution capabilities. This focus reflects a strategic shift toward smarter, more autonomous robotic systems that can adapt to complex real-world scenarios.
2.2 Financial Backing: Industrial Funds and Investment Ecosystems
To fuel R&D and commercialization, cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen have established specialized industrial funds. Shanghai launched an AI and embodied robot industry fund, while Shenzhen earmarked 10 billion yuan for AI and robot initiatives. Such financial instruments aim to bridge the funding gap for startups and scale-ups, fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem. The involvement of major financial institutions, as seen in Chongqing’s 10-billion-yuan credit line, further stabilizes capital flows into the sector.
2.3 Scenario Expansion: Matching Technology with Real-World Needs
Many regions have compiled “robot application scenario lists” to facilitate matching between technological solutions and market demands. By identifying priority sectors—such as manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics—governments aim to accelerate product development and commercial deployment. This approach ensures that robot innovations are not just technologically impressive but also address tangible industry needs, driving faster adoption.
2.4 Standardization: Laying the Groundwork for Scale
Standardization is another policy priority, with cities like Shenzhen and Chongqing establishing technical committees to develop local standards for intelligent robots. These efforts aim to harmonize technical specifications, quality control, and safety protocols, which are essential for scaling production and ensuring interoperability across different systems and manufacturers.
3. Geographical Clusters: The Heart of China’s Robot Industry
The spatial distribution of robot-related listed companies reveals a clear concentration in economically developed regions. Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai lead the pack, hosting 21, 17, 16, and 10 listed firms respectively—accounting for over 70% of the national total. This clustering effect fosters knowledge sharing, supply chain integration, and collaborative innovation, creating regional hubs of robotic excellence.
Guangdong, with its robust manufacturing base and tech ecosystem, has become a hotspot for robot R&D and production. Jiangsu and Zhejiang, meanwhile, leverage their industrial heritage and proximity to Shanghai’s financial hub to drive both technological and market growth. Shanghai, as a global innovation center, serves as a bridge between domestic expertise and international collaboration, particularly in AI and advanced robotics.
4. Market Rally: Robot Stocks Surge on Growth Prospects
The capital market has responded vigorously to the sector’s promise, with robot-related stocks posting remarkable gains since February 2025. Post-Lunar New Year, the robot robot concept stocks saw an average increase of 27.12%, with top performers like STEP Electric, Zhongda Decelerator, and Googol Technology surging by over 50%.
4.1 Standout Performers: Riding the Robotic Wave
STEP Electric (002527) emerged as the star performer, with a staggering 89.74% gain. The company’s robot portfolio includes multi-joint robots, SCARA robots (where its subsidiary Zhongweixing ranked second domestically and fourth globally in shipments from 2020 to 2023), and semiconductor robots used in wafer factories for analog chips, power chips, sensors, and LEDs.
Zhongda Decelerator (002896) and Googol Technology (301510) followed closely, with increases of 83.76% and 80.08% respectively. Their strong performance reflects market confidence in core component manufacturers, a critical segment of the robot supply chain. Other notable gainers include Julun Intelligent (71.01%), Zowee Mechanical & Electrical (69.37%), and Jiangsu Leili (55.65%), each capitalizing on niche strengths in robot design, precision mechanics, and motor systems.
4.2 Institutional Attention: Analysts Eye Long-Term Potential
Institutional investors have also flocked to the sector, with 13 robot stocks attracting over 10 institutional research visits. Inovance Technology led the pack with 485 visits, followed by Fengli Intelligent (237) and Obeo Technology (147). Inovance, a leading automation provider, has positioned itself as a solutions integrator, bundling PLCs, drives, industrial robots, and precision machinery to meet diverse customer needs. The company is actively developing robot components such as motors, drives, and actuator modules for humanoid robots, aligning with global trends.
This institutional interest underscores the belief that intelligent robots—particularly humanoid models—are on the cusp of mass commercialization. Guotai Junan Securities notes that with advancements in AI and hardware optimization, humanoid robots like Tesla’s Optimus are set to enter mass production by 2025–2026, with domestic manufacturers planning to launch sales soon. This “元年 of mass production” for humanoid robots is expected to unleash significant demand across the supply chain.
5. The Road Ahead: From Policy to Practice in Intelligent Robotics
As China’s intelligent robot sector continues to gain momentum, the interplay between policy support and market dynamics will remain crucial. The government’s focus on core technology self-reliance, coupled with market-driven innovation, creates a fertile ground for breakthroughs in embodied intelligence, human-robot collaboration, and industry-specific applications.
Challenges remain, however, including technical hurdles in core components, the need for standardized industry norms, and the integration of robots into complex industrial ecosystems. Yet, with cities like Chongqing leading the way in policy implementation, and enterprises ranging from startups to giants like Inovance and STEP driving technological progress, China is well-positioned to become a global leader in intelligent robotics.
The coming years will likely see rapid advancements in humanoid robot commercialization, expanded applications in healthcare and service industries, and deeper integration of AI with robotic systems. For investors, policymakers, and industry players alike, the intelligent robot sector represents not just a technological frontier but a strategic investment in the future of China’s high-tech economy—one where policy vision and market innovation continue to reinforce each other, driving sustained growth and global competitiveness.