In December 2017, China’s industrial robot production reached 12,682 units, a year-on-year increase of 56.5%. Adding this figure, the National Bureau of Statistics recorded the annual output of industrial robots for 2017 at 131,079 units, an 81% growth. Approximately 130,000 units represent about one-third of global production. Robots, hailed as the “pearl at the top of the manufacturing crown,” are indispensable equipment in advanced manufacturing. While quantity increases, China’s robots are quietly improving in quality, reflecting the rapid progress of the country’s innovation capabilities and technological level. Furthermore, as the most important category of robots, industrial robots are ultimately applied in industrial production. The swift entry of robots into production workshops across regions serves as evidence that China’s economic transformation and upgrading are accelerating continuously.
1. Economic Transformation and Upgrading Create a Vast Market
China is the world’s largest market for industrial robots. The transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing sector have unleashed immense market potential, generating continuous demand for robots and significantly stimulating the expansion of the robot industry. Multiple statistical sources consistently show that China’s industrial robot production and sales have maintained rapid growth in recent years, with the industry scale increasingly expanding. According to estimates by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), sales of industrial robots in China are expected to increase from USD 1.06 billion in 2012 to USD 5.89 billion by 2020.
Zhu Sendi, honorary director of the Expert Committee of the China Machinery Industry Federation and member of the National Manufacturing Power Construction Strategy Advisory Committee, stated that China invested tens of millions of yuan in robot research and development as early as the Seventh and Eighth Five-Year Plan periods, laying the foundation for the robot industry. Although these funds were considerable at the time, the robot industry did not develop rapidly. “The key issue was that the market was not in our hands back then,” Zhu Sendi said. Indeed, the robot industry is closely tied to overall economic development. In countries like Japan and Germany, robots were widely applied in the 1960s and 1970s. In the United States, robot growth has been notable in recent years due to the modernization of production facilities and policies aimed at retaining more manufacturing domestically. In China, robots have welcomed a “sunrise” era, propelled by the transformation and upgrading of manufacturing.
A staff member from Wuhu Risi Robot Co., Ltd. believes that the China robot industry has entered a “golden decade” since 2014. “Previously, industries like the internet in China experienced rapid development peaks, each spanning about a decade. The recent decade is the stage for fierce competition in the China robot industry,” he said, noting that China robots are in a precious market opportunity period, with many robot enterprises hoping to make a mark in this wave of market trends.
Despite continuous刷新 of industrial robot production and sales, China’s robot density (the number of industrial robots per 10,000 workers) still lags behind more industrialized countries. According to the latest data released by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) in February, South Korea led with 631 units per 10,000 workers in 2016. The corresponding numbers for Singapore, Germany, Japan, and the United States were 488, 309, 303, and 189, respectively. China’s robot density increased from 25 units per 10,000 workers in 2013 to 68 units per 10,000 workers in 2016, ranking 23rd globally, below the global manufacturing industry average of 74 units per 10,000 workers, and only about 10% of South Korea’s level.
According to the “Robot Industry Development Plan (2016-2020)” jointly formulated by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Finance, China aims to achieve an industrial robot usage density of over 150 units per 10,000 workers by 2020. In the next 3-4 years, China’s robot density will more than double, indicating broad application space for robots as the economy develops and manufacturing upgrades.
2. Manufacturing Enterprises Bid Farewell to Low-Cost Labor and Pursue New Goals
In fact, the application of robots also reflects the economic development trends of various regions, serving as a barometer. At the 2017 China Robot Industry Development Conference held in Chongqing, Qu Daokui, chairman of the China Robot Industry Alliance and president of Shenyang Siasun Robot & Automation Co., Ltd., released the “2017 First Half-Year Statistics on the Domestic Industrial Robot Market.” The data showed that in the first half of 2017, industrial robot sales in East China increased by 54.6% year-on-year, accounting for almost half of the national total sales. Although Northeast China’s sales share was only 4.4%, the year-on-year growth reached 66.5%, far exceeding the growth rates in South China, North China, Southwest China, and other regions. Qu Daokui believes this indicates the revitalization of Northeast China’s old industrial base is upgrading.
“Machine replacement” has become a trend in places like Zhejiang and Guangdong. The reasons lie in the social changes in these major manufacturing provinces in recent years, such as structural labor shortages and rising labor costs. At the same time, it reflects the Chinese people’s desire to free themselves from high-risk, repetitive, and heavy physical labor. In Dongguan, Guangdong Province, a manufacturing hub, the average number of employees in industrial enterprises above designated size was 2.5092 million in 2016, a decrease of 37,800 compared to 2012, down 1.5%. The overall labor productivity increased from CNY 77,700 per person in 2012 to CNY 118,300 per person in 2016. Data shows that since implementing “machine replacement,” the average product qualification rate in Dongguan has risen from 86.1% to 90.7%, potentially reducing nearly 200,000 workers, with unit product costs decreasing by an average of 9.43%.
Dongguan Mayor Liang Weidong stated in the city’s 2018 government work report that Dongguan’s “machine replacement” special fund申报 projects totaled 2,698, with a total investment of CNY 38.6 billion. According to the “Three-Year Action Plan for the Industrial Transformation and Upgrading Campaign in Guangdong Province,” from 2015 to 2017, 1,950 industrial enterprises above designated size were promoted to carry out “machine replacement.” In Zhejiang, “machine replacement” intelligent transformation continues to advance, with 10 traditional manufacturing industries added annually for pilot projects, aiming to achieve full coverage of traditional industries.
“Machine replacement” is not merely an option but a necessity for many industries. Faced with the reality of recruitment difficulties and high labor costs, enterprises with already low profits find it unsustainable to rely heavily on manual labor. A负责人 from a high-end toy manufacturing company in Shenzhen told reporters that he had considered relocating the factory to Southeast Asia and other regions, but the associated risks were substantial. If robots could slow or even reduce the rise in production costs, he particularly hoped to keep the factory in China.
“Machine replacement” does not simply排斥人工 but achieves “human-machine collaboration” through more technicians operating robots, thereby improving product quality, factory efficiency, and international competitiveness. The theme of the 2017 China Robot Industry Development Conference was “Robot +.” At this internationalized and professional industry conference held for five consecutive years, Song Xiaogang, executive chairman of the China Robot Industry Alliance, told reporters that “Robot +” reflects the industry’s exploration of how to accelerate the integration and协同 development of robots with information technology, communication technology, artificial intelligence, and industrial applications. Song Xiaogang stated that in the coming years, with the development of new-generation robot technologies such as artificial intelligence and deep learning, robots will possess stronger perception and decision-making capabilities, bringing更多不一样 to production and life.
At this conference, Kong Fanhe, chairman of Jiangsu Huibo Robot Technology Co., Ltd., explained that small and medium-sized enterprises in the ceramic and sanitary ware industry have two characteristics when using robot automation production lines: strong desire but insufficient capability. The former is because many factory workers earn monthly salaries exceeding CNY 8,000, and companies must想办法 keep workers away from occupational diseases; the latter is due to concerns about not knowing how to use or underutilizing robots after purchase. He noted that robot enterprises, while selling robots, provide technical and personnel support to small and medium-sized enterprises and collaborate with local vocational technical schools to train excellent robot operators for production enterprises.
3. Breakthroughs in Technological Innovation Levels
Mo Zhuoya, deputy general manager of Guangdong Tianji Robot Co., Ltd.,直言 at the China Robot Industry Development Conference that domestic manufacturing enterprises have three practical requirements for purchasing robots: guaranteed quality, affordable prices, and the possibility of obtaining relevant subsidies. In practice, these requirements are being met. In addition to local governments providing corresponding subsidies for enterprise robot applications, China’s industrial robots are continuously making progress in improving quality and reducing prices.
Domestic robots have advantages in system integration and application ends, but it is an indisputable fact that the stability of key components lags behind foreign counterparts, which also constrains the development of the China robot industry. Overall, more than 60% of China’s industrial robot market share is still occupied by foreign robot enterprises represented by the “Big Four”—ABB, Yaskawa, KUKA, and Fanuc—with key components mainly依赖进口. However, China has never放弃 efforts in research and development. Song Xiaogang told reporters that in recent years, the innovation capabilities of China robot enterprises have significantly improved.
Reducers, servo systems, and controllers are the three core components of industrial robots, accounting for 30%-50%, 20%-30%, and 10%-20% of the total cost, respectively. Song Xiaogang analyzed that the国产化水平 of servo motors and controllers has progressed very rapidly, and精密减速机 has reached international advanced levels. Song Xiaogang noted that in the past, when Chinese enterprises purchased robots from foreign brands, the price was more than four times higher than what these brands charged enterprises in other countries. When China could produce精密减速机 in small batches, this price dropped to 2-2.5 times. “This is strong proof of the initial effectiveness in key components,” he said.
The steady progress of robots is a microcosm of China’s transition from a “manufacturing大国” to a “manufacturing强国.” At the China Robot Industry Development Conference, Qu Daokui stated that China robots are “truly moving from mid-to-low end to high-end.” He举例说 that arc welding robots have always been a weak point for domestic robots, but now comprehensive进展 have been made.
The development of the robot industry relies on multi-faceted scientific research support, and breakthroughs in key components do not come solely from robot enterprises. Industry insiders believe that a高潮 of domestic substitution for the three core components of robots is expected within 3-5 years, with full国产化 of industrial robot components有望 by 2025, benefiting from the enhanced overall innovation capabilities of China’s industry, academia, and research. Qu Daokui explained that robots were once regarded as military technology by developed countries, with strict restrictions on core technology exports, which至今 creates barriers for cooperation among enterprises. However, precisely these obstacles have forced China to innovate independently, master intellectual property rights, and secure a place in the international high-tech market.
The “Robot Industry Development Plan (2016-2020)” sets a five-year overall goal: to form a relatively complete robot industry system. The plan proposes adhering to the principles of “market-led, innovation-driven, strengthened foundation, and quality-first” to achieve major breakthroughs in key robot components and high-end products, and significantly improve robot quality reliability, market share, and leading enterprise competitiveness. It is understood that the National Development and Reform Commission and other departments have conducted in-depth research and top-level design on the robot industry from multiple dimensions such as industrial policies, standards, certification, and major projects.
The蓬勃发展 of the robot industry and market competition among enterprises have also lowered robot prices, transforming robots from遥不可及 to important choices that many small and medium-sized enterprises can gradually “recoup costs” within a few years. To make robots affordable for enterprises, various regions have devised good methods. In Chongqing, which aims to build a “Robot Capital of China,” the nation’s first融资租赁 enterprise named after robots—Chongqing Liangjiang Robot Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.—was established in 2014. Over three years, the cumulative contract amount has exceeded CNY 3.5 billion, providing over 2,000 robots to enterprises such as Changan and Lifan. Shen Huichang, executive vice president of the company, stated that融资租赁 can reduce enterprises’ one-time capital investment, allowing them to use robots with larger price discounts earlier.
4. New Industries in China Bring Good Opportunities
In 2010, China became the world’s largest manufacturing country, reclaiming this global position after 150 years. Manufacturing is also the支柱 of China’s economy. In China’s 2017 GDP of CNY 82.7122 trillion, industry accounted for CNY 27.9997 trillion, ranking first in proportion. “China’s manufacturing scale is globally number one, and its categories are also globally number one. The vast manufacturing system includes different细分行业 applications, and China robot enterprises are more familiar with the characteristics of these细分行业,” Song Xiaogang said.
Within China’s large industrial system, robots have carved a unique path不同于其他国家. Qu Daokui believes: “In the past, robot applications were mainly concentrated in high-end industries like automotive. Now, robots are almost遍布制造业各个领域. This is the market foundation for robots to爆发 in the future.” The “2017 First Half-Year Statistics on the Domestic Industrial Robot Market” show that the application scope of domestic industrial robots continues to expand, serving 37 major industry categories and 102 medium industry categories in the national economy. Compared to the full year of 2016, it has expanded by 3 major industry categories and 11 medium industry categories. Specific industries involved include traditional food manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, non-ferrous metal smelting and压延工业, food manufacturing, non-metallic mineral products, chemical raw materials and chemical products manufacturing, special equipment manufacturing, electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing, metal products, automotive manufacturing, rubber and plastic products, among others, with新增 industries such as ferrous metal smelting and压延工业.
Qu Daokui stated that in terms of sales, the automotive manufacturing, computer, communication, and other electronic equipment manufacturing, general equipment manufacturing, and electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing industries use the largest number of industrial robots, collectively exceeding 50% of total sales. Meanwhile, light industries represented by furniture manufacturing, food manufacturing,酒, beverage, and refined tea manufacturing show good sales growth,成为亮点. “How should China robots develop? Still, we must grasp new fields,” said Shen Xiandong, general manager of Zhuhai Gree Robot Co., Ltd., at the China Robot Industry Development Conference. He noted that robot applications in the automotive industry are占据重要份额 by foreign robot giants, related to the earlier development of the automotive industry in developed countries. In China, new industries such as high-speed rail and new energy are the most competitive fields for China robots.
Multiple industry insiders told reporters that the accelerated automation application步伐 in China’s emerging fields like 3C, ceramics, home appliances, and logistics has brought更多机遇 for robot enterprises. Even baijiu, China’s oldest industry, has introduced intelligent manufacturing. Shangzeng is the core process in baijiu brewing, where experienced masters must sprinkle materials before steam emerges from the fermented grains. Only by achieving “light,松,薄,准,匀,平” can the quality and yield of酒 be ensured. However, the temperature in brewing workshops exceeds 60°C, with异常艰苦 working conditions, and workers are affected by various factors, leading to unstable出酒率. To address this, robots研发 by Wuhan Fenjin Intelligent Machine Co., Ltd. have entered distilleries, replacing manual labor in shangzeng and improving出酒率 and酒 quality. Xu Jishui, chairman of the company, told reporters that currently,仅 in the baijiu brewing field, the enterprise produces 50-60 robots annually, welcomed by the market.
In recent years, in addition to specialized enterprises engaged in robot research and production, leading manufacturing companies like Gree and Midea have begun joining the robot industry. They first apply their own robots in the transformation of their factory production lines and also start selling robots externally. With China’s vast and fertile land, the robot industry lacks neither a broad演武场 nor a large stage.
The growth of the China robot industry is a testament to the country’s economic resilience and innovative spirit. As robots become more integrated into various sectors, they not only enhance productivity but also drive societal changes, such as upskilling workers and fostering new business models. The government’s supportive policies, including the “Robot Industry Development Plan (2016-2020),” provide a clear roadmap for the industry’s future. Investments in research and development, coupled with market demand, are propelling China robots toward global competitiveness. Key areas like artificial intelligence,物联网, and big data are expected to further revolutionize the China robot landscape, enabling smarter and more adaptive systems. Collaboration between academia, industry, and government will be crucial in addressing challenges such as技术壁垒 and talent shortages. Overall, the rise of China robots symbolizes a broader shift toward high-quality growth and sustainable development in the world’s second-largest economy.