China is emerging as a global powerhouse in robotics, driven by rapid adoption of robots across various industries, a large and increasingly diverse domestic market, and a national strategy supporting the development of robotics and artificial intelligence , according to Susanne Bieller, Secretary General of the International Federation of Robotics .
"Since our last visit to China, it has been impressive to see the rapid adoption and interest across various industries, but also among the public," Bieller
The Frankfurt, Germany-based IFR represents robotics manufacturers and research institutions worldwide and provides industry data and analysis on robotics development. The IFR publishes the World Robotics report annually, which tracks global trends in industrial robot adoption.
According to the newly released IFR World Robotics 2026 report, China installed 354,000 industrial robots in 2025, a 20 percent increase from the previous year and accounting for 59 percent of global installations.
This figure is nearly 60,000 units higher than the previous annual record, further strengthening China's position as the world's largest industrial robot market. Its extensive manufacturing base continues to generate strong demand for robots in a wide range of applications.
Bieller said a number of factors are driving demand for robots in China, including industrial modernization, demographic changes, and the country's industrial policies and national strategy for robotics.
"Chinese companies have become increasingly competitive over the past decade, and domestic market share has surged dramatically," Bieller said.
He stated that this growth is not limited to a handful of industries, but rather there are "huge opportunities" in various sectors that have not invested in automation as much as the automotive industry.
"There are certain factors driving the demand for robots in China. First, the industrialization of the industrial sector and the need for more technology to replace workers or respond to the demographic changes the country faces in the coming years," he said.
"There's also a strong industrial policy and national strategy for robotics, which is bringing robotics to market in China. That's driving demand, because the policy is really looking at which application areas and industries need robots and how best to encourage those industries to adopt this technology."
Tags:
technology
