China believes it will rely on robotics to expand quickly.

During its recent Third Plenary Session, China outlined its economic policy direction. The government aims to embrace the latest wave of industrial transformation by leveraging robots as a key growth driver. Currently, China holds the title of the largest robot market globally.

“China’s swift advancement in industrial robot automation is remarkable,” remarked Marina Bill, president of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

“Two years ago, the working stock exceeded 1.5 million units, making China the first and only nation to get such a significant number of industrial robots. In 2022 alone, 290,258 units were installed, accounting for 52% of the worldwide market.”

Rising demand across various sectors

To meet this growing demand, both domestic and international robot manufacturers have set up production facilities in China and are consistently expanding their capacity, according to the IFR.

Significant investments in the automotive sector have driven demand since 2010. China has emerged as the largest car market and production hub for vehicles, including electric cars, showcasing substantial growth potential.

Additionally, China is a leading producer of electronic devices, batteries, semiconductors, and microchips. Since 2016, the electrical and electronics sector has overtaken the automotive industry as the primary customer and growth engine for industrial robots in the country.

Many other sectors have begun to enhance their capabilities through the use of cutting-edge automation technology.

China views robots as a key driver for economic growth. Currently, the domestic market remains the largest single market for Chinese robot manufacturers.

Xiaogang Song, the executive director and secretary-general of the China Robot Industry Alliance (CRIA), noted, “Up until now, the number of robots exported from China is quite small. The export of Chinese robots began only a few years ago, and our data shows that less than 5% of robots are exported.”

“Like any business pursuing new opportunities, Chinese robot companies target markets where there is a demand for their offerings,” he explained.

Typically, these companies establish local branches by partnering with local businesses and employing local talent. Building brand trust will take time, as they work to enhance technology and provide improved services tailored to the needs of international markets.

In certain fields, such as vision systems and AI applications, Chinese firms hold advantages due to their experience in meeting the demands of rapid automation in China’s manufacturing industry. Additionally, the lower production costs of Chinese robots are a significant benefit, according to the IFR.

The government is focusing on humanoid technology

From July 15 to 18, China’s Central Committee held the third plenary session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party, where key economic policies were unveiled to support the nation’s long-term social and economic development.

In recent years, China has recognized the significant potential of humanoid robots. In November 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in Beijing set forth national objectives for advancing humanoid robotics.

The MIIT anticipates that humanoids will emerge as a transformative technology shortly, with plans to achieve mass production by 2025. The document also outlined a strategy for creating an innovation framework aimed at achieving breakthroughs in essential technologies.

In July, five industry organizations based in Shanghai collaborated to create guidelines for the development of humanoid robots in China, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that these robots “safeguard human dignity” and “do not pose a threat to human security.”

At the recent World Robot Conference, nearly 30 companies showcased their humanoid models, as reported by Reuters.

Aaron Prather, director of the Robotics & Autonomous Systems Program at ASTM International, noted that while various challenges could impede China’s goals, having a clear and transparent plan can help reduce the risks of setbacks.

He stated, “Ultimately, it’s this strategic planning that will determine China’s future position in the robotics industry. While China has a well-defined roadmap, other nations need to formulate their strategies to avoid being outpaced by China, which is rapidly advancing in this field.”

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to follow my whatsapp channel