China has long been the world's largest market for industrial robot applications and one of the fastest-growing sectors in this field. Recently, a reporter visited the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and met with several listed robotics companies to gain insights into the industry's current status and future direction. Industry experts note that while there is still a gap between domestic industrial robots and global standards, core technologies are gradually catching up, and the push for local replacement is accelerating. Looking ahead, China's industrial robotics sector is expected to maintain rapid growth.
Domestic technologies are gradually closing the gap. Industrial robots consist of four main components: reducers, servo motors, controllers, and the robot body. However, the top three most technically demanding parts have historically been dominated by foreign firms, limiting the development of domestic manufacturers. This situation is changing as more Chinese companies invest in research and development.
According to insiders, only a few manufacturers can independently develop and produce key components like controllers, servo motors, and reducers. With government support and rising demand, more domestic players are emerging. China has made breakthroughs in critical robotic technologies as part of its national strategy. Companies have overcome challenges in areas such as speed reducers and servo motors.
Take Estun Robotics as an example. It is one of the few domestic firms with independent intellectual property in controllers, AC servos, and speed reducers. Their products are widely used in automation and boast some of the best performance among domestic brands. According to Estun’s chairman, Wu Bo, the company’s robots excel in welding, palletizing, loading, and bending, with certain models reaching international standards.
Xinshida also holds independent control and drive technology for robot bodies, having developed 6-DOF robots, SCARA systems, and network servo solutions. The company’s SCARA robots are recognized internationally, and it produced over 1,000 units in the first half of this year, establishing itself as a leader in the domestic robotics and motion control industry.
Industry sources say that key component technologies are making major progress, with some already seeing limited industrial use. This reduces reliance on foreign suppliers and lowers costs for domestic robots.
The capital market plays a crucial role. Many companies have raised funds through IPOs or bond offerings to expand production and capture market share. Some have merged or acquired other firms to build supply chains and adopt advanced technologies.
For instance, Xinshida successfully raised 880 million yuan through convertible bonds to increase production capacity. Estun raised 950 million yuan in 2016 for R&D and smart manufacturing projects. The company is expanding its production capacity, building a new park capable of producing 15,000 robots annually.
In addition, Estun acquired British TRIO and German MAi, and invested in U.S.-based BARRETT, aiming to integrate advanced motion control solutions. Similarly, HKUST acquired several companies to complete its "Smart Transfer Arm - AGV - Flexible Production Line" industrial chain.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Domestic components still face low market share and issues with reliability and stability. While they are improving, they still lag behind Japan and Germany in high-level algorithms. Some executives admit that for high-end customers, foreign components are preferred due to their proven reliability.
However, domestic robots offer better pricing and are increasingly used in mid-to-low-end manufacturing. With China's large mid-to-low-end market, this provides significant growth opportunities. As high-end markets open up, the industry is poised for continued expansion.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China produced 104,800 industrial robots from January to October this year, a 68.9% increase compared to the previous year. Industry leaders predict that the compound annual growth rate will remain above 30% for at least the next three years.
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