The Prospective Industry Research Institute pointed out that the relevant policies of Chinese humanoid robots have gradually shifted from the initial exploration with technology as the core to the new stage of promoting the development of industrialization, and the policy guidance has gradually become clear, and the development path has become more and more clear.
1. Policy evolution: from technology-driven to industrial implementation
As an important direction for the integration of high-end manufacturing and intelligent technology, the policy support of humanoid robots has gone through the whole process from technology research and development to application promotion:
In 2012, the "Twelfth Five-Year Plan for the Development of Service Robot Technology" first proposed the development of humanoid robots, focusing on high-end bionic technology, covering high load, high stability and modularization.
In 2016, the "13th Five-Year Plan" for the development of national strategic emerging industries focused on building an industrial robot system, breaking through the technical bottleneck of core components, and promoting the development of high-precision, high-reliability mid-to-high-end robots.
In 2021, the "14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Robot Industry" set that by 2025, China will become an important source and manufacturing highland for global robot technology innovation.
In 2023, the "Robot +" Application Action Implementation Plan will further clarify that by 2025, the density of robots in the manufacturing industry will be doubled, and the application of services and special robots will be deeply integrated.
In 2023, the "2023 Future Industry Innovation Task Unveiling and Commanding Work" proposed to build a humanoid bionic mechanism with 28 degrees of freedom to improve the ability of high dynamic control.
In 2023, the "Guiding Opinions on the Innovation and Development of Humanoid Robots" will plan from a longer-term perspective to build an internationally competitive industrial ecology by 2027, and its comprehensive strength will rank among the top in the world.
In 2024, the "Implementation Opinions on Promoting the Innovation and Development of Future Industries" will clearly promote the industrialization of new technologies driven by humanoid robots and build a world-leading high-end equipment system.
These policies jointly outline the leap path of Chinese humanoid robots from scientific research to industry, and the policy support is progressive, and the goal gradually shifts from "can be made" to "can be used".
2. Market potential: a broad space under the trend of industrialization
Driven by policy and technological progress, the Chinese humanoid robot market has shown huge room for growth. According to the data of the Chinese Humanoid Robot Industry Conference, the market size has reached 2.76 billion yuan in 2024.
According to the "Guiding Opinions on the Innovation and Development of Humanoid Robots", by 2027, the industry will achieve large-scale development, continuous expansion of application scenarios, and deep integration of products into the real economy, which is expected to become an important new engine for economic growth.
Figure: 2019-2024 Chinese human robot industry investment and financing events (unit: pieces)
3. Capital support: investment and financing continue to heat up
Since 2021, investment and financing activities in the field of Chinese humanoid robots have continued to heat up. In 2023, the number of investment and financing will reach 30, a year-on-year increase of 200%; The total value amounted to MOP 5.41 billion, up by 153.5% year-on-year. This trend reflects the high attention of the capital market to this sector and the continued optimism of future expectations.
4. Innovation-driven: scientific research and patents go hand in hand
Scientific research and innovation is the core driving force of industrial development. The data shows that from 2015 to 2023, the number of patent applications and disclosures related to humanoid robots has increased steadily, reaching 2,903 in 2023, entering the stage of concentrated outbreak.
From the perspective of applicants, Beijing Institute of Technology ranks first in the country with 181 patents, demonstrating its technical accumulation and research depth in this field.
5. Regional layout: Guangdong is leading, and Jiangsu has strong late-mover potential
In terms of regional distribution, as of November 2024, Guangdong is in the leading position in terms of the number of patent applications, with a total of 1,650 patents. Jiangsu has gained strong momentum in recent years, with 280 patent applications in 2023, second only to Guangdong's 256, showing strong development momentum.
Conclusion
Chinese's humanoid robot industry is experiencing a critical transition period from "policy traction" to "market driven". Under the guidance of national strategies, the influx of capital, technological innovation and local support, this emerging track is rapidly maturing and is expected to become an important pillar to lead future industrial transformation.
Related:
Insight into the 2025 Blue Book on Humanoid Robotics Industry Development (1)
Insight into the 2025 Blue Book on Humanoid Robotics Industry Development (2)
Insight into the 2025 Blue Book on Humanoid Robotic Industry Development (3)
Insight into the 2025 Blue Book on Humanoid Robotics Industry Development (4)
