An industrial robot refers to a multi-jointed manipulator or multi-degree-of-freedom mechanical device for industrial use. It can perform tasks automatically and realize various functions relying on its own power and control capability. It can accept human instructions or operate according to pre-programmed routines. Modern industrial robots can also act in accordance with principles formulated by artificial intelligence technologies.

News release on May 8. In response to the current development of the robot industry, Luo Junjie, Deputy Director-General of the Equipment Industry Department of MIIT, stated recently that robots represent advanced manufacturing and constitute a key development sector defined in Made in China 2025. Going forward, MIIT will advance the high-end development and large-scale application of robots and their key components in four aspects.

China's industrial robot market has ranked as the world’s largest for four consecutive years. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of industrial robot sales hit 31% from 2011 to 2016, making China the world’s undisputed leading market for robots. Nevertheless, how much potential remains in China's robot market? Can domestic robot companies compete against the “Big Four” and fully capture the dividends brought by robot replacement of manual labor? These are the two questions of greatest concern to industry practitioners and investors. This report reviews the rise of Japan’s industrial robot industry from the 1970s to the 1990s, analyzes driving factors for robotics development including labor shortages, massive demand from downstream industries and policy support, and draws comparisons with China’s current situation, revealing striking similarities. Lessons from the US-Japan trade war also show that the United States failed to halt Japan’s manufacturing upgrading, and will not hold back China either.

Industrial robots are mechanical devices for industrial applications. They can perform tasks automatically and complete various operations relying on their own power and control capabilities. Amid the revolution driven by artificial intelligence, industrial robots play a vital role. How to enable robots to replace humans to work faster and more efficiently, further liberate labor and boost production efficiency has become a key question pondered across the entire robotics sector.