Industrial robots in China

Robots in China

Main article: Robots in China

2025: Excavators and bulldozers began to be operated remotely at construction sites in China

In mid-July 2025, it became known that the BuilderX Robotics teleplatform began to be used to control heavy equipment at construction sites in China. It allows you to control the operation of excavators and bulldozers remotely - for example, from an office or a specially equipped control room. Read more here.

2024

Growth in the volume of the Chinese industrial robots market to $9.4 billion

In 2024, the industrial robot market in China reached $9.42 billion. The sector is showing steady growth driven by increasing demand for automation in key manufacturing areas such as electronics and automotive, as well as labour shortages. Industry trends are addressed in the Grand View Research survey, which TAdviser reviewed at the end of July 2025.

One of the key drivers of the analytics sector is the introduction of artificial intelligence. Robots with AI-based algorithms are used for various tasks, such as loading and unloading goods and materials, as well as assembly. Such machines increase the efficiency and accuracy of routine operations, reduce labor costs and increase the overall productivity of enterprises. The introduction of collaborative robots (cobots), which are able to work side by side with humans, is increasing. The expansion of the sector is facilitated by growing public investment and various government initiatives to develop and implement industrial robots in the country.

The study says that in 2024, the loading and unloading segment dominated the PRC, which accounted for about 43% of all costs. Industrial robots are most in demand in the field of electrical engineering and electronics (more than 25%), followed by the automotive industry. The following companies have a strong position in the Chinese market:

• ABB;
• Changzhou Yuanchuan Robot Technology;
• Comau Group;
• Deep Robotics;
• Denso;
• Ecovacs Robotics;
• Epson;
• Estun Automation;
• Fanuc;
• Flexiv;
• Hangzhou Unitree Robotics;
• Mitsubishi Electric;
• Nachi-Fujikoshi;
• Siasun Robot & Automation;
• Yaskawa Electric.

Grand View Research believes that in the future, the CAGR in the analyzed market in China will be 6.1%. Thus, by 2033, expenses may increase to $16.55 billion.^[1]

Sales of industrial robots in China reached 400 thousand units

In 2024, the supply of industrial robots in China was at the level of 400 thousand units. In monetary terms, sales of such equipment reached $14.7 billion. This is stated in the ABI Research study, the results of which TAdviser got acquainted with in mid-May 2025.

The report says that the PRC is the world's largest market for industrial robots. Such installations are widely used in various industries to perform resource-intensive and repetitive tasks for assembly, material processing, etc. At the same time, macroeconomic factors have a significant impact on the segment.

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Фото: Freepik

While the robotics market grew in 2024, there has been a general slowdown in manufacturing sectors. In addition, competition is intensifying, and Chinese OEMs are starting to displace incumbent players from some regional markets, says George Chowdhury, an analyst at ABI Research.

The study notes that the Asia-Pacific region is leading in terms of the deployment of industrial robots: in 2024, it accounted for 70% of global supplies. At the same time, the contribution China amounted to almost 40%. The automotive sector remains the main consumer with 38% of new deliveries. This is followed by the assembly direction electronic engineers with 23%. Approximately 70% of all sales were provided by articulated robotic manipulators, which are in demand in the automotive industry.

ABI Research estimates that in the future, the industrial robot sector in China will show a CAGR of 7.4%. As a result, by 2030 the supply of such machines will rise to 649 thousand units. At the same time, in monetary terms, sales of industrial robotic installations will reach $22.6 billion.^[2]

Geely began to use humanoid robots in the production of cars

In early August 2024, it became known that Geely Holding Group began using humanoid robots in the production of premium electric vehicles. Read more here.

2023

China ahead of Germany and Japan in the number of industrial robots by 10 thousand workers

In terms of the density of industrial robotics, China was ahead of Germany and Japan, but South Korea remains the leader on a global scale. This is stated in a study by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the results of which were published on November 20, 2024.

In 2023, there were 1,012 industrial robots per 10,000 workers in South Korea: the density of robots in this country has been increasing by an average of 5% every year since 2018. Singapore is in second place with an indicator of 770 robots per 10 thousand employees.

At the end of 2023, China was in third position with a result of 470 cars per 10 thousand workers against 402 units a year earlier. On the fourth and fifth lines in the ranking are Germany and Japan, the indicator of which is 429 and 419 robots, respectively. In the United States, the value has reached 295 units - the country ranks eleventh in the world.

Robotics density serves as a barometer to track the degree of automation adoption in manufacturing industries around the world, says Takayuki Ito, president of IFR.

In the European Union, the density of robotics is 219 units per 10 thousand employees, which is 5.2% more compared to 2022, while Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Slovenia are among the ten world leaders. In North America, the figure is 197 units per 10 thousand workers, and the annual increase is estimated at 4.2%. In Asia, 182 robots are operated per 10 thousand employees employed in the manufacturing industry, which is 7.6% more compared to 2022. In general, the average density of robots on a global scale in 2023 reached a record 162 units per 10 thousand employees, more than doubling in seven years.^[3]

China accounts for half of the global industrial robot market

In 2023, the production of industrial robots in China reached 430 thousand installations. At the same time, the PRC accounts for half of the world market for industrial robotic complexes. This is stated in the materials of the Ministry of Industry and Informatization of the country, published at the end of August 2024.

It is noted that the Chinese robotics industry has made significant progress in the field of innovation and development. Over ten years (by the end of 2023), the number of robots in terms of 10,000 workers in the country's production sector increased from 49 to 470, that is, it increased almost 10 times. The Chinese authorities have made the introduction of robots into the manufacturing industry one of the main political priorities. Such installations are a key tool for improving productivity and international competitiveness.

China has reportedly installed 18% more robots per production worker than. And USA if we take into account the fact that wages in the manufacturing industry of the PRC were significantly lower than in the United States, then in China the level of use of robots in the manufacturing industry was 12 times higher than in the American market.

According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), China is the world's largest region in terms of the use of industrial robots. In 2022, 290,258 such units were commissioned, which is 5% more than the previous record recorded in 2021.

As of July 2024, China had more than 190 thousand existing patents related to robotics, which is about two-thirds of the total number of such patents in the world. Chinese robotics companies continue to increase their share in the global market, which is facilitated, among other things, by aggressive pricing policies.^[4]

2022: Imports of industrial robots amounted to $2 billion, exports - $610 million

In 2022, China imported industrial robots worth approximately $2 billion, while exports were three times less - about $610 million. Such data at the end of January 2023 was released by the Chinese Robotics Alliance (CRIA).

CRIA reported that in 2022, large industrial enterprises China produced 443,000 industrial robots and 6.5 million service robots. In December 2022, these figures were 40,000 and 491,000, respectively. It is noted that in the same month, China exported industrial robots worth $50 million and imported $180 million.

Imports of industrial robots in China for the year were three times higher than exports

The PRC is stepping up efforts to expand the use of robots in ten key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, construction, power and logistics. It is part of the country's broader agenda to tackle an ageing population and use advanced technology to modernise industry.

According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the density of manufacturing robots (an indicator used to measure the level of automation in the country) in China reached 246 units per 10,000 people in 2020. This number increased to 322 in 2021, which allowed the PRC to overtake the United States for the first time in this indicator. IFR estimates that China is the fastest-growing robot market in the world, and has the largest operating robot fleet since 2016. By 2025, China intends to double the density of production robots compared to 2020.

According to statistics from the Chinese Institute of Electronics, the volume of the Chinese robotics market in 2022 reached $17.4 billion. It is expected that in 2024 this figure will reach $25.1 billion. Moreover, China, as noted by IFR, has great potential for further automation.^[5][6]

2021

Production of industrial robots in China for the year increased by 68% to 366 thousand units

China remains the world's largest market for industrial robots, whose production in 2021 reached 366 thousand units, which is 68% more than in 2020^[7] and 10 times higher than in 2015. This was announced on September 6, 2022 by the representative of the Ministry of Industry and Informatization of the PRC Guo Shougan.

In 2021, the production of industrial robots increased sharply in China
Photo: robomatic.ru

According to him, the use of industrial robots covers 60 industry categories of the national economy. In 2021, the density of production robots exceeded 300 units per 10,000 people, about 13 times more than in 2012.

In turn, service robots are widely used in areas such as catering, education, medical care and logistics. According to Tianyancha, an online platform for requesting information about enterprises, as of early September 2022, there are over 439 thousand companies associated with service robots in China. More than 79 thousand of them were registered in the period from January to August 2022.

The technological level of the Chinese robotic industry has increased significantly, Guo Shougan noted. He added that progress has also been made in the research and development of major components including precision speed reducers, smart controllers and real-time operating systems.

The ministry intends to improve standards, testing and certification systems, intensify efforts to strengthen weaknesses in the field of special materials, key components and processing technologies. The agency will also continue to contribute to the development of high-quality enterprises and create favorable conditions for the robotic industry, concluded Guo Shougan.^[8]

In 2021, China installed almost as many robots in its factories as the rest of the world, accelerating the pace of automation and strengthening its production dominance even amid a decline in the working-age population - WSJ.

Deliveries of industrial robots to China in 2021 increased by 45% compared to the previous year and amounted to more than 243,000 units.

Nearly twice as many new robots have been installed in China as in factories in America and Europe, according to IFR.

China ahead of US for first time in degree of introduction of industrial robots

In terms of automation, China overtook the United States for the first time in history. This is evidenced by the data released in early December 2022 by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

China reportedly had an average of 322 industrial robots for every 10,000 employees in 2021. For comparison: in the United States, this figure was 274 robots per 10,000 workers. Thus, for the first time in terms of robot density, China surpassed the United States. According to IFR estimates, in 2021, about 243,300 new installations were installed on the Chinese industrial robotics market, which is 44% more than a year earlier.

Robot density is a key indicator of automation adoption in the manufacturing industry around the world. The new global robot density average rose [in 2021] to 141 installations per 10,000 employees - more than double the six-year-old figure. China's rapid growth demonstrates the strength of its investments, but the country still has many opportunities for automation, "said Marina Bill, president of IFR.

In 2020, China was in ninth position in the ranking of the most automated countries: the density of robots was 246 installations per 10,000 employees. In 2021, the country moved to fifth place, showing a significant jump in the number of robot installations. Moreover, growth is observed in all industries of the PRC. Electrical engineering and electronics are the dominant sectors: an increase in robot installations by 30% was recorded - up to 81,600. The auto industry has also seen significant growth, linked in particular to the production of electric vehicles in China. In 2021, this segment showed an increase of 89% - up to 50,700 industrial robot installations.

While China is rapidly increasing the number of robots in the country, many of them still come from foreign manufacturers - primarily from, and Japan South Korea. Europe According to IFR, in 2020, the total share of foreign suppliers in the Chinese robotics market was 73%.

The most highly automated country, according to IFR statistics, is South Korea: here the density of industrial robots in 2021 reached a record level of 1000 installations per 10,000 employees. The country's electronics industry and automotive sector contribute greatly to the overall density of robots. In second place in the ranking is Singapore with 670 robots per 10,000 workers. Since 2016, the density of robots in this city-state has increased by an average of 24% annually. Japan is third on the list with 399 robots for every 10,000 workers as of 2021. At the same time, it is Japan that is the leading manufacturer of industrial robots: 45% of the total world volume of such installations is manufactured in the country. Germany is the fourth most automated country in the world with 397 robots for every 10,000 employees and the most automated European country. The United States in terms of robot density dropped from seventh in 2020 to ninth in 2021: here, as already noted, there are 274 robots for every 10,000 workers.

Overall, the number of new industrial robots hit a record high in 2021, with 517,385 such assistants installed at factories around the world, according to IFR. At the same time, the number of robot installations increased by 31% compared to 2020. The world's largest industrial robot market is still located in Asia: the region accounted for 74% of all new installations in 2021.^[9]

2019: China accounts for 30% of global industrial robot sales

Approximately 30% of the sales of industrial robots in the world fell on the Chinese market at the end of 2018. Such data are provided by the International robotics Federation of Robotics in July 2019.

Judging by the schedule presented by the Beijing research company Marketing Intelligence Resource, in 2018, the supply of industrial robots in the Celestial Empire amounted to about 190 thousand units, which is twice as much as two years earlier.

China Industrial Robot Deliveries, Marketing Intelligence Resource Estimate and Forecast

Total investments in the development of "smart" production in the PRC in 2018 reached 69.6 billion yuan (about $10.1 billion), which is 46% higher than a year ago. The number of state-subsidized investment deals remained unchanged at 100, while the number of unsubsidized transactions doubled to 1,000.

Robotics is seen by the Chinese government as a key element of a strategy called Made in China 2025, under which the country seeks to become fully self-sufficient in technology and maintain the competitiveness of its industries in the international arena. According to this plan, the share of industrial robots produced domestically should rise to 70% by 2025 against 30% in 2017.

China There has long been a great demand for industrial robots. Back in 2013, the country was ahead of Japan and became the world's largest market for such equipment. By the end of 2018, 10,000 workers in China accounted for a third more robots than in. Japan Moreover, experts are confident that this gap will increase, despite investment problems that arose amid the aggravation of the trade conflict with. USA

Nikkei has listed the main manufacturers of industrial robots in China:

• Adtech Shenzhen Technology;
• Efort Intelligent Equipment;
• Nanjing Estun Automation;
• Shenzhen Inovance Technology;
• Siasun.^[10]

2017: China rapidly increases production of industrial robots

China The production of industrial robots is growing at a rapid pace. In early December 2017, the Ministry of Industry information technology and Information Technology reported that more than 100,000 robots had been released in the country as of the end of October 2017.

Compared to 2016, the supply of industrial robots increased by 67%. The PRC government expects that by the end of 2017, shipments of industrial robotic systems will reach 120 thousand units.

Manufacturing of industrial robots in China, data from Bloomberg, Xinhua, International Federation of Robotics, IFR

In 2016, China produced about 90 thousand industrial robots, more than South Korea North America combined, Bloomberg reports, citing data from the International robotics Federation of Robotics (IFR).

Chinese news agency Xinhua also notes that China is the world's largest market for industrial robots, accounting for about a third of the global sales of such systems.^[11]

It is expected that in 2017 the turnover in the Chinese industrial robot market will grow to $4.2 billion, and by 2020 the figure will reach $5.9 billion.

Robotics is included in the list of key areas of development of the state program Made in China 2025, the purpose of which is to modernize the country's production sector.

In 2015, foreign manufacturers accounted for about two-thirds of China's robots, according to IFR estimates. By the end of 2017, the ratio was significantly reduced thanks to the efforts of Chinese companies such as Midea Group and Siasun Robot & Automation to strengthen their position in the robotics industry.

In 2016, Midea acquired the world's leading robotics developer, the German company Kuka AG, and in October 2017, the largest Chinese robot manufacturer Siasun opened a new industrial park worth $300 million in Shenyang near its headquarters.^[12]

Notes