The Chinese robotics industry is expected to迎来 a golden period, experts interpret.

■ Ding Minglei, researcher at the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology Development Strategy.

■ Peng Sifan, assistant researcher and postdoctoral fellow at the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology Development Strategy.
 

Recently, the 2023 World Robot Expo was held in Beijing, attracting attention from several foreign media outlets. According to reports from the Russian Satellite News Agency, more than 100 domestic and foreign robot companies participated in the exhibition, showcasing nearly 600 robot products applied in various fields of life.

According to the Associated Press, industrial robotic arms used in factory production lines were particularly eye-catching at this year's World Robot Expo. The Chinese government has committed to transforming 'Made in China' into 'Intelligent Manufacturing in China,' with industrial robots being an important part of this plan.

In recent years, the development level of China's robot industry has steadily improved.

First, the number of application scenarios continues to increase, and the industry scale is rapidly expanding. In 2022, the operating income of China's robot industry exceeded 170 billion yuan. The installation volume of industrial robots accounted for over 50% of the global total, maintaining its position as the world's largest industrial robot market, with a manufacturing robot density reaching 392 units per ten thousand workers. The production of service and special robots has also grown rapidly, achieving large-scale applications in logistics, healthcare, construction, and other fields. According to the 'China Robot Industry Development Report (2022),' it is predicted that China's service robot market size will exceed $10 billion by 2024.

Second, the technical content of products has gradually increased, and product added value has significantly risen. The localization process of core components for robots is accelerating, with an increasing rate of self-control for key components, high conversion rates for cutting-edge technologies, and a noticeable acceleration in technological iteration. Innovation in robot technology remains active, with patent applications ranking first in the world and continuing to rise. A large number of innovative robot companies have emerged, with 273 specialized 'little giant' enterprises and 10 robot companies becoming champions in specific manufacturing sectors.

Third, new business models are emerging, and brand strength is continuously enhancing. Chinese robot companies are constantly innovating their business models, closely integrating consumer individuality and needs into the research and manufacturing of robots to provide customized services, further enhancing consumer enthusiasm and actively building national brands.

The rapid development of China's robot industry benefits from several factors:

First, China has a complete range of industrial categories and a vast market scale that provides rich scenarios and huge market demand for robot applications. Various enterprises along the robot industry chain can find suitable development soil in China. At the same time, various types of capital are actively participating in the robot industry. In 2022, financing in China's robot sector exceeded 30 billion yuan.

Second, China's industrial strength is steadily improving, cutting-edge technologies are developing rapidly, and infrastructure systems are continuously being perfected. Over the past decade or so, China has made significant improvements in scientific and technological strength, research and development capabilities, and talent teams, laying a solid foundation for the development of the robot industry. Additionally, software and hardware products supported by cutting-edge technologies such as visual algorithms, high-performance servo drives, high-precision reducers, and dedicated chips are developing rapidly in China, greatly promoting the growth of the robot industry. Modern infrastructure such as cloud computing, edge computing, 5G, and big data is continuously improving to provide a favorable environment for promoting various robot products. The rapid development of AI technology plays a significant role in supporting hardware research and development for robots as well as system integration and software control.

Thirdly, social labor shortages create demand pull. With declining birth rates and an aging population in China, the value of the robot application market is enhanced. In the long run, the popularization of robots in labor-intensive industries is an inevitable trend. The application and popularization of robots can improve labor efficiency and further liberate labor resources. Moreover, as Chinese consumers' attitudes shift towards pursuing a high-quality life, this broadens the consumer market for mid-to-low-end household and professional robots.

Fourthly, the Chinese government actively provides policy support. The Chinese government has successively introduced policies such as 'The New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan' and 'The '14th Five-Year' Robot Industry Development Plan,' continuously increasing its emphasis on the robot industry. The government also focuses on establishing a sound innovation system to leverage research institutions such as key laboratories for robots, engineering (technology) research centers, and innovation centers to enhance innovation capabilities within the robot industry to overcome technological bottlenecks and accelerate results transformation.

Robots are an important component of modern industrial systems and a key tool for intelligent transformation in economic society; they play a significant role in promoting high-quality economic development. On one hand, the high technical barriers to entry in the robot industry lead to high added value and a massive market scale that can provide platform support for other cutting-edge technology research and applications while providing new momentum for economic growth. At the same time, intelligent manufacturing systems centered around industrial robots have become an essential part of digital transformation in manufacturing industries that can elevate manufacturing to higher levels. On the other hand, robots can fill labor gaps and improve production efficiency. The promotion and application of robots in elderly care, healthcare, education, housekeeping etc., contribute to improving people's living standards and enhancing public welfare.

Currently, China is continuously promoting deep integration between digital economy and real economy while guiding small- to medium-sized enterprises towards digital transformation; it aims to fully tap into the potential for developing industrial internet while enabling new generation information technology to empower equipment intelligence as well as adding value to enterprises and industries. In this digital economy era where application scenarios for robots are rich with vast market space and broad development prospects; under multiple driving forces such as technology and policy support; China's robot industry is expected to usher in a golden period.

(Li Jiabao & Luo Wanqin interview compilation)

(Editor: Shan Xiaobing)