"Made in China 2025" stands at a new historical height, adopting a strategic and holistic approach to clearly outline the action plan for the first decade of China's manufacturing powerhouse strategy. It identifies "high-end CNC machine tools and robots" as one of the key areas to be vigorously promoted, emphasizing that the development of the robotics industry should "focus on meeting the demands of industrial robot applications across sectors such as automotive, machinery, electronics, hazardous materials manufacturing, defense, chemicals, and light industry, as well as service robot applications in healthcare, home services, education, and entertainment. This includes actively developing cutting-edge new products, advancing standardization and modularization in robotics, and expanding market adoption. Crucially, it calls for breakthroughs in core technologies—such as robot bodies, precision reducers, servo motors, controllers, sensors, and drive systems—as well as in system integration design and manufacturing." Furthermore, the roadmap for technological innovation in key areas specifies that China’s robotics industry over the next decade will primarily focus on two major directions: First, developing a comprehensive range of industrial robot bodies and critical components to accelerate the industrialization and widespread application of robots, thereby addressing the urgent needs of China’s manufacturing sector as it undergoes transformation and upgrading. Second, breaking through key technologies in intelligent robotics by pioneering advanced smart robotic systems, positioning China to effectively meet the challenges posed by the ongoing wave of technological and industrial innovation."

　　1. Be demand-driven, strengthen innovation capabilities, and expand market applications.

　　According to the application environment, the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) categorizes robots into two main types: industrial robots for manufacturing settings and service robots designed for non-manufacturing environments. Industrial robots are a general term for machines used in industrial production and serve as crucial factory automation tools in modern manufacturing. In contrast, service robots are non-productive robots that assist humans in various tasks; their technology is primarily tailored for unstructured environments, where they operate in settings with complex structures. These robots rely on their onboard sensors and communication systems to gather information about the external environment, enabling them to make informed decisions and carry out specific operational tasks effectively.

　　1. China has become the world’s largest industrial robot market, yet its potential remains largely untapped.

　　Industrial robots primarily refer to multi-jointed manipulators or multi-degree-of-freedom robots designed for industrial applications, used in various aspects of industrial production processes such as material handling, welding, assembly, machining, painting, and clean manufacturing. In 2014, global sales of industrial robots reached a record high of 225,000 units, representing a 27% year-on-year increase. The primary driver of this market growth was the Asian region, particularly China and South Korea.

　　In recent years, China's robotics market has experienced rapid growth and has emerged as a key global hub for robotics demand. In 2014, industrial robot sales in China reached 56,000 units, representing a year-on-year increase of 52% and cementing the country’s position as the world’s largest industrial robot market once again. Meanwhile, the user base has expanded beyond predominantly foreign-owned and Sino-foreign joint venture companies, now increasingly including domestically funded enterprises—and even small and medium-sized businesses. Many companies located in China’s highly developed coastal industrial regions produce goods primarily for export, placing stringent demands on product quality. As a result, more and more firms are turning to robots to replace manual laborers. In the Pearl River Delta region, the annual growth rate of industrial robot adoption has already surged to 30%, particularly driving a robust wave of robotic integration in areas such as assembly, dispensing, material handling, and welding.

　　Although China has been the world’s largest market for industrial robots since 2013, the density of industrial robots in its manufacturing sector remains relatively low. In 2013, China’s industrial robot density stood at just 30 units per 10,000 industrial workers—less than half the global average—and significantly lower compared to countries with higher levels of industrial automation, such as South Korea (437 units per 10,000 workers), Japan (323 units per 10,000 workers), and Germany (282 units per 10,000 workers). This highlights the substantial untapped potential still present in China’s domestic industrial robotics market.

　　As a major manufacturing country, China has historically lagged behind in the application of industrial robots. Outside the automotive industry, the widespread adoption of robotics in general manufacturing sectors has largely remained spontaneous, fragmented, or sporadic. However, with the growing momentum of factory automation in China, industrial robots are poised for rapid expansion into other key industries—such as electronics, metal products, rubber and plastics, food processing, building materials, civilian explosives, aerospace, and medical equipment—marking a significant shift toward greater integration and efficiency across these sectors.

　　The extent of industrial robot adoption is a key indicator of a country's level of industrial automation. China's development of industrial robots should align closely with the growing demand for intelligent manufacturing, fostering collaboration between robotics suppliers and users. On one hand, this involves enhancing the innovation capabilities of China's robot-manufacturing enterprises, promoting standardization, modularity, and systematization in robotics, reducing operational costs, and elevating the sophistication of integrated applications—thereby expanding the market reach of robotic technologies. On the other hand, it calls for actively piloting domestically branded robotic solutions, focusing on a select group of high-impact, highly influential, and strategically relevant demonstration projects that can serve as models to drive broader adoption. Ultimately, these efforts will help leverage industrial robots to modernize and upgrade traditional manufacturing sectors.

　　2. China's service robot industry should be demand-driven and pursue targeted, strategic development.

　　Service robots include specialized service robots and household service robots. These robots have a wide range of applications, primarily focusing on maintenance, repair, transportation, cleaning, security, rescue, monitoring, as well as tasks in healthcare, elderly care, rehabilitation, and assistive services for people with disabilities. As a new type of intelligent equipment and a strategic high-tech product, service robots are poised to capture even greater market potential in the future compared to industrial robots.

　　Global service robots have shown rapid growth over the past five years. According to statistics from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), in 2013, global sales of professional service robots and personal/household service robots reached 21,000 units and 4 million units, respectively, with market values of $3.57 billion and $1.7 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 4% and 28%, respectively. In the coming years, the global market for service robots is expected to continue its robust expansion. Thanks to significant breakthroughs in collaborative learning and knowledge-sharing cloud robotics technologies, the production costs of small, home-based assistive robots have plummeted—setting the stage for an emerging market worth at least $41.6 billion cumulatively by 2020. Meanwhile, although disability-assist robots are still in their early stages, they are poised for rapid growth over the next two decades.

　　Currently, the research and development of service robots on the international stage are primarily led by five countries: the United States, Japan, China, Germany, and South Korea. In China, the development of service robots lags behind that of industrial robots. Compared to nations like Japan and the U.S., China started later in R&D for service robots, leaving a significant gap compared to developed countries. However, when it comes to industrial robots, the gap between China and other global leaders is relatively smaller. Service robots typically require tailored development to meet specific market needs, making it easier for domestic companies to leverage local environments and cultural nuances—enabling them to carve out strong market positions and maintain a competitive edge. On the other hand, foreign service robot companies are also operating in an emerging industry, with most having been established only recently. As a result, China's service robot sector stands at the cusp of substantial opportunities and ample room for growth.

　　From a developmental perspective, China's professional service robots are expected to achieve industrialization ahead of personal/home-use robots—particularly in areas like medical robotics and inspection/exploration robots designed for hazardous or specialized environments. As China enters an aging society, the growing demand for medical care, nursing, and rehabilitation will drive innovation in this sector. Meanwhile, as people increasingly prioritize higher quality of life, personal/home-use robots are poised to capture an even broader market opportunity in the future.

　　2. Break through technological bottlenecks and enhance industrialization capabilities

　　Robots integrate modern manufacturing technology, advanced materials technology, and information control techniques, making them a flagship product of intelligent manufacturing. Their research and development, production, and application have become key indicators for measuring a nation’s innovation capabilities and manufacturing prowess, attracting significant attention from the world’s leading manufacturing powers.

　　China's robotics industry can trace its origins back to the 1980s, when the Ministry of Science and Technology included industrial robots in its key scientific and technological research programs. The former Ministry of Machinery Industry took the lead in organizing efforts to develop various types of industrial robots, such as spot welders, arc welders, painting robots, and material-handling units. Other government departments also actively supported these initiatives, sparking the first major surge in China’s industrial robotics sector. However, following this initial boom, the industry experienced a prolonged period of stagnation, primarily driven by shifting market demands. It wasn’t until after 2010 that China saw a steady increase in robot installations, marking the beginning of a comprehensive push toward developing the entire robotics value chain—from R&D to manufacturing and beyond.

　　The development of the robotics industry encompasses R&D testing, the industrialization of robot bodies and components, system integration technologies, and service offerings—each stage playing a critical role. For China, advancing the robotics industry chain is a long and challenging journey. Currently, most Chinese robotics companies are concentrated in the system integration sector, with manufacturing and assembly firms forming the majority. In terms of original research on core and cutting-edge technologies, highly reliable foundational components, advanced system-level application solutions, and large-scale production of robotic systems, China still lags significantly behind developed nations. Particularly in key areas like precision reducers, servo motors, and drivers, the country relies heavily on imports. Although the government has invested significantly in this field over the years, the relatively small market size and low level of industrialization have so far failed to create sufficient momentum for developing these critical components, resulting in less-than-ideal outcomes.

　　It is clear that China's insufficient robotics technology capabilities are holding back the scale of industrialization, while the relatively small industry size, in turn, hampers further technological advancement—both of which are negatively impacting the overall progress of robotics commercialization. To enhance the market competitiveness of domestically produced robots, we must first ramp up domestic robot production and boost the manufacturing capacity of local robotics companies. At the same time, it’s crucial to accelerate the localization of key robotic components, strengthening our ability to produce these critical parts and ensuring they can meet the growing demands of expanding domestic robot manufacturing capacity.

　　In the past two years, the nation has placed significant emphasis on intelligent manufacturing and robotics. Multiple ministries—including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Science and Technology—have been actively promoting the growth of the robotics industry. Efforts are being made across various fronts, such as top-level design, fiscal and financial support, demonstration projects, and talent development, to boost the growth of domestically branded robotic products. Moreover, supportive policies are becoming increasingly comprehensive and detailed. Meanwhile, China’s Robotics Industry Roadmap and related initiatives under the “13th Five-Year Plan” for the robotics sector are steadily advancing. These developments will greatly accelerate Chinese robotics companies in overcoming technological barriers and enhancing their industrialization capabilities.

　　Currently, for China's robotics industry, the question is no longer about whether to prioritize it or not—but rather how we view this industry, and with what mindset we nurture and foster its orderly growth. Regarding various aspects such as market demand, innovation-driven models, and funding support mechanisms, local governments are expected to refine their policies aimed at bolstering the robotics sector.

　　3. Accelerate the research and development and production of next-generation robots, seizing the next strategic advantage in robotics technology and industry development.

　　With the advancement of robotics technology, robots are now categorized into two main types based on their functionality: general-purpose robots and intelligent robots. General-purpose robots are those equipped primarily with standard programming capabilities and basic operational functions—most of the robots currently produced in China fall into this category. Intelligent robots, on the other hand, lack a universally accepted definition, though most experts agree that they should at least possess the following key features: 1. The ability to adapt to uncertain working conditions; 2. Flexible manipulation skills for handling complex objects; 3. Strong coordination and collaboration capabilities with humans; 4. Natural interaction abilities that allow seamless communication with people; 5. Safety features designed for effective human-robot collaboration. Whether it’s modern industrial robots or service-oriented ones, the ultimate goal is to evolve into highly intelligent, learning-capable machines—what we commonly refer to as "next-generation robots." Thanks to continuous advancements in technologies like 3D visual perception and cognition, as well as innovations in force-sensing sensors, these next-generation robots are set to become even more sophisticated. By integrating deeply with cutting-edge IT developments such as the Industrial Internet, cloud computing, and big data, they will not only enhance their perception of the external environment but also gain the capacity to tackle dynamic, intricate tasks. Ultimately, they’ll enable multi-robot collaboration and seamless teamwork with humans.

　　To further capture international markets and enhance the global competitiveness of their manufacturing sectors, leading economic powers are eagerly stepping up efforts, each formulating ambitious development plans aimed at securing a pioneering edge in advanced robotics technology. Currently, the German government is spearheading its "Industry 4.0" strategy, focusing on building "smart factories" and enabling "intelligent production." A key priority within this initiative is fostering seamless interaction and collaboration between humans and machines, as well as among machines themselves. Meanwhile, in 2013, the U.S. unveiled its "U.S. Robotics Development Roadmap," which centers on tackling critical challenges in manufacturing, including developing robots with enhanced adaptability and reconfigurable assembly capabilities, enabling dexterous human-like manipulation, advancing model-based integration and supply chain design, improving autonomous navigation, refining perception in unstructured environments, enhancing education and training programs, and ensuring the fundamental safety of human-robot collaboration. In early 2015, Japan introduced its "New Robotics Strategy for Japan," outlining a comprehensive five-year action plan that explicitly emphasizes research and development of next-generation robotic technologies—specifically, innovations like data terminalization, networking, and cloud computing. Meanwhile, South Korea has rolled out several strategic policies in recent years to actively support the R&D and commercialization of third-generation intelligent robots. Notably, in 2012, South Korea released its "Robotics Future Strategy Vision 2022," with a clear policy focus on helping Korean companies expand into global markets and seize early opportunities in the industrialization of smart robotics. Driven by robust initiatives from tech powerhouses such as the U.S., Japan, and Europe, the past five years have witnessed a steady surge in next-generation robotic prototypes, demonstration applications, and even fully functional practical systems.

　　Currently, in China, the demand market for next-generation industrial robots has yet to fully mature. However, there is an urgent need for strategic R&D of common technologies and the development of related technological reserves. As China moves forward with its next-generation robotics industry, the priority should be to strengthen the technological foundation of the robotics sector, accelerate the industrialization of existing robotic systems, and expedite the adoption of domestically branded robots in the domestic market. Moreover, it’s essential to explore innovative R&D models, encouraging research institutions and enterprises to leverage their respective strengths. By collaborating across multiple stakeholders, we can establish a national-level platform dedicated to cutting-edge, cross-disciplinary R&D and technology reserves for next-generation industrial robots. This platform must be tailored to China’s unique national conditions and market demands, enabling breakthroughs in core next-generation robotic technologies. Ultimately, this will lead to the development of prototype systems and commercial products, paving the way for full-scale industrialization and helping China secure a leading position in the global robotics landscape. For robot products targeting diverse application areas, distinct development strategies should be implemented: On one hand, companies should serve as the driving force, supported by shared technology platforms, with a focus on advancing next-generation industrial robots. This approach will foster closer alignment between supply and demand, ensuring that China captures a competitive edge in this rapidly evolving field. On the other hand, market-driven strategies should prioritize meeting domestic needs, particularly in sectors like healthcare, elderly care, disability assistance, and specialized robotics designed for challenging operational environments.