Local governments across China are implementing policies to boost robotics innovation and deployment, particularly humanoid robots, as national policymakers emphasize future industries during the central economic work conference.
Cities like Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Nanjing, along with Sichuan province’s Tianfu New Area, have announced strategic initiatives to strengthen their robotics industries. Hangzhou’s development plan, spanning from 2023 to 2029, aims to establish a comprehensive innovation system and industrial chain for humanoid robots, focusing on advanced research, design, manufacturing, and applications. Nanjing has introduced a 2024-2026 plan to foster a high-quality robotics sector, while Sichuan’s Tianfu New Area offers subsidies for advancements in core algorithms and large-scale industrial models.
In Chongqing, authorities are encouraging a local tech innovation fund to lead venture capital investments in robotics projects. As of 2023, China’s robotics industry comprised nearly 80,000 companies, including over 4,000 high-tech enterprises and more than 100 publicly listed firms, according to the CCID Consulting Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.
The integration of robotics with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, biomimicry, brain-machine interfaces, and new materials is expected to drive further innovation. Key components will see performance improvements, enabling more advanced robotic capabilities.
China has been supporting the robotics industry since 2015, fueling widespread adoption in factories. Between 2021 and 2023, industrial robot installations increased by 75% compared to the previous three years, though 2023 saw slightly fewer installations than 2022. Last year, China accounted for 51% of the world’s industrial robot installations, deploying 276,288 units, according to the International Federation of Robotics.
Looking ahead, China’s robotics market is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated 105.26 billion yuan ($14.47 billion) by 2030, with the overall industry potentially expanding to 400 billion yuan. The government’s industrial policies and focus on technological innovation aim to establish a modernized industrial system and strengthen private enterprises.
While robotics has driven efficiency in manufacturing, some experts suggest that China may guide factories toward hiring human labor to stabilize employment in a volatile economy. At the same time, Chinese robotics manufacturers may look to international markets, with countries like Germany emerging as potential clients. However, global markets could react negatively if China’s robotics exports are perceived as creating oversupply.
READ MORE: