Preface: The rise of industrial robots
In 2023, the number of industrial robot installations in China will hit a new high again, reaching a staggering 276,300 units, accounting for 51% of the world's new installations. This figure not only highlights China's leading position in the global industrial robot market, but also marks the rapid transformation of the manufacturing industry to intelligence and automation. The rapid development of the industrial robot industry has injected new vitality into China's manufacturing industry, and has greatly promoted technological innovation and production efficiency.
Technological breakthroughs and market expansion
The total number of industrial robots in China is close to 1.8 million units, accounting for nearly half of the global total. Such a huge number is inseparable from China's breakthroughs in a number of key technological fields. For example, continuous advancements in machine vision, sensor technology, and artificial intelligence algorithms have given industrial robots greater ability to perceive, react, and make decisions. The innovation of these technologies not only improves the work efficiency and accuracy of robots, but also expands their application scope in many industries such as automobiles, electronics, and new energy.
Especially in the field of machine vision, Chinese companies have launched more intelligent visual recognition systems through independent research and development and technical cooperation. These systems are able to react quickly to complex manufacturing environments and effectively reduce production errors. At the same time, the integration of sensors allows industrial robots to operate flexibly under different working conditions, which greatly enhances their adaptability. The introduction of artificial intelligence technology has enabled robots to continuously optimize their work processes through data analysis and self-learning mechanisms.
Figure: The number of industrial robot installations in China will reach a staggering 276,300 units in 2023
Policy support and localization process
The Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of the industrial robot industry and provides strong policy support for it. In the "14th Five-Year Plan", the country proposed that by 2025, the density of manufacturing robots will double compared with 2020. This strategy not only provides a clear direction for the industry, but also creates favorable conditions for the company's technology research and development and market development.
At the same time, with the gradual maturity of domestic industrial robot technology, the proportion of localization in the market has increased year by year. In recent years, more and more local enterprises have made breakthroughs in core technologies, making domestic robots gradually become the main force in the market. For example, in key technologies such as control systems, reducers and servo motors, domestic robots have made significant progress, not only breaking the monopoly of foreign technology, but also greatly reducing production costs. With the continuous improvement of the innovation ability of local enterprises, it is expected that the localization rate will further increase in the future.
Industry application: the core strength to promote intelligent manufacturing
The wide application of industrial robots in many industries is profoundly changing the production mode of China's manufacturing industry. From automobile manufacturing, 3C electronics, to new energy and aerospace, industrial robots have become a key supporting force for intelligent manufacturing. For example, in the automobile manufacturing industry, industrial robots are widely used in body welding, spraying and parts assembly, which greatly improves production efficiency and product quality.
In the 3C electronics industry, with the rising demand for consumer electronics such as smartphones and tablets, the application of industrial robots in assembly, testing, packaging and other fields is becoming more and more common. Through the introduction of automation equipment, the production line of electronic products has achieved 24-hour continuous operation, which not only shortens the delivery cycle, but also reduces labor costs.
In addition, the application of industrial robots in high-tech fields such as new energy and aerospace is also growing rapidly. With the increasing complexity of the production process of electric vehicles, solar cells and other products, industrial robots have become an indispensable production tool in these industries due to their high accuracy and stability.
Patent-leading and innovation-driven
China's innovation in the field of industrial robots is not only reflected in technological breakthroughs, but also in the accumulation of the number of patents. As of July 2024, China holds more than 190,000 active robot-related patents, accounting for about two-thirds of the global total. This huge number of patents not only demonstrates China's strength in robot technology research and development, but also provides strong support for local enterprises to compete in the global market.
The growth of the number of patents is inseparable from the investment in technology research and development of enterprises. In recent years, local enterprises represented by SIASUN Robotics and Estun Robotics have continuously increased their research and development efforts and launched a series of high-end robot products with independent intellectual property rights. Through technological innovation, Chinese companies have not only increased the added value of their products, but also successfully entered the international market.
Looking ahead: Consolidation of global leadership
With the continuous progress of technology and the continuous growth of market demand, the prospects of China's industrial robot industry are very broad. According to market forecasts, it is expected that by 2029, the size of China's industrial robot market will exceed 80 billion yuan, and the average annual growth rate is expected to remain between 5% and 10%. In the future, with the further integration of artificial intelligence, 5G technology and the Internet of Things, industrial robots will become more intelligent and networked, promoting the transformation and upgrading of the entire manufacturing industry.
At the same time, China will not only continue to maintain its leading position in the global industrial robot market, but also actively participate in the formulation of global intelligent manufacturing standards. Through technical cooperation and competition with international companies, Chinese companies will occupy a more important role in the global market and promote the development of the entire industry in a more efficient and intelligent direction.
Conclusion
The rapid development of China's industrial robot industry is the result of technological innovation, policy support and market demand. As China's position in the global market continues to rise, so does its influence in the global manufacturing industry. In the future, industrial robots will not only continue to enhance the competitiveness of China's manufacturing industry, but also make important contributions to the progress of global intelligent manufacturing.
