The transformation and upgrading of China's manufacturing industry, coupled with rising labor costs and a growing labor shortage, have become key drivers for the development of the industrial robot sector. The era of robotics in China is now fully underway.
[Image: A photo of an industrial robot in action]
As the world’s largest market for industrial robots, China has seen rapid growth in the robotics industry, with 2017 being particularly notable. It is projected that annual output will surpass 120,000 units, accounting for roughly one-third of global production. Luo Junjie, deputy director of the Department of Equipment Industry at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, announced these figures at the recent China Robot Industry Development Conference in Chongqing.
The "China Robot Industry Development Conference" is organized by the China Robotics Industry Alliance and is considered the most authoritative and internationally recognized annual event in the Chinese robotics sector.
"In the past, we focused on three- or four-axis robots, often using steel-frame designs. Now, multi-joint robots dominate the market, representing a 7 percentage point increase compared to the same period in 2016," said Qu Daokui, chairman of the China Robotics Industry Alliance and president of Shenyang Xinsong Robot Automation Co., Ltd. He highlighted how domestic growth and market optimization are gradually leading the industry toward high-end robotic solutions.
With a nearly 70% growth in output, China is set to capture 40% of the global robot market by 2020, with an annual growth rate of 20%-25% from 2018 to 2020, according to Zhou Chunhua, Deputy General Manager of the Aston Group.
From January to November 2017, China produced 118,000 industrial robots, marking a year-on-year increase of 68.8%. This growth is largely attributed to the expanding application scenarios of robots across various industries.
Industrial robots have even made their way into traditional sectors like the ancient Chinese brewing industry. At a cultural summit in Yibin Jiudu, Wu Liangye, the honorary chairman of a renowned winery, emphasized the importance of temperature stability during fermentation, a process once entirely reliant on human effort. Intelligent robots can now ensure consistent quality and efficiency.
Xu Jianshui, chairman of Wuhan Jinjin Intelligent Machine Co., Ltd., explained that his company has developed specialized brewing robots, not just for handling or palletizing, but for precise and complex tasks. In 2016, they produced 50–60 sets, which are now being promoted for wider use.
Shen Xiandong, general manager of Zhuhai Gree Robot Co., Ltd., emphasized the need for Chinese robots to explore new fields and develop innovative processes, providing integrated solutions through robotic technology.
Qu Dao-kui noted that while robots were once limited to high-end industries like automotive manufacturing, they are now present in almost every corner of the manufacturing sector. This widespread adoption lays the foundation for future breakthroughs.
Beyond the food and beverage industry, industrial robots have found applications in hardware, sanitary ware, furniture, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and more. Service and special-purpose robots are also being used in medical rehabilitation, rescue operations, and other professional areas.
According to statistics, in 2017, domestic industrial robots served 37 economic categories and 102 industries. The automobile, electronics, and general machinery sectors accounted for the highest number of robot installations.
Despite significant progress, challenges remain. While China has made breakthroughs in key components and technologies, such as voice and image recognition, there is still a gap compared to industrialized nations. Improvements are needed in standards, testing, and certification systems.
In 2017, the National Standards Committee and several ministries issued guidelines for building a national robot standard system, followed by the release of the "China Robot Standardization White Paper." These documents provide strategic direction and scientific support for the development of robot standards.
The revised "Standardization Law of the People's Republic of China" granted group standards legal status, enhancing the supply of market-driven standards. At the 2017 conference, three new alliance standards were introduced, including safety requirements for flying robots and general technical specifications for vision-based systems.
Looking ahead, the goal is to establish around 60 national and industry standards by 2018, with over 100 by 2020, forming a comprehensive standard system for the robotics industry.
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