South Korean media: Why is China's robotics industry at the top of the world?
On November 28, the South Korean media "Seoul Economic Daily" published an article stating that in recent years, the development speed of China's robotics industry far exceeds that of any other country in the world.
Analysis shows that the reason why China's robotics industry has developed to the top level in the world is due to the joint effect of three factors: demand, policy support, and the establishment of an independent supply chain.
Experts suggest that South Korea should emulate China, taking the three axes of creating demand, industrial integration, and strengthening global cooperation to establish the strategic direction for South Korean robots. In addition, South Korea should leverage its own strengths and strengthen strategic cooperation with core technology countries such as the United States.
The Korea Institute for Industrial Economy and Trade (KIET) recently released a report titled "The Growth and Lessons of China's Robotics Industry in the Era of Physical AI," analyzing the development strategy of China's robotics industry and proposing directions for South Korea's robotics industry.
In recent years, China's industrial robot market has developed rapidly, capturing more than one-third of the global market share and becoming the largest industrial robot application market in the world.
According to the data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), in 2024, the number of new industrial robots installed in China will reach about 295,000, an increase of 7% compared to the previous year. It accounts for about 54% of the global new installations.
Humanoid robots have also entered the fastest commercialization phase worldwide. Start-up companies with core technologies, such as Unitree Technology, UB Tech, and Star Motion, are leading the commercialization process.
The report concludes that China's robotics industry has gained growth momentum through the interaction of three axes: application expansion driven by market demand, policy support, and strengthening of independent supply chain construction.
For example, the most advanced industrial robots in practical use have led to a surge in demand for robots due to the intensification of strategic industries such as electronics and automotive parts. Even traditional industries that were once considered sunset industries have achieved automation by introducing industrial robots, thereby driving an increase in robot demand.
The report also points out that since 2014, China has started to subsidize the robotics industry as part of its "Made in China 2025" strategy.
The report states that China has rapidly improved its self-sufficiency in key components such as reducers, servo motors, and precision sensors, which were previously dominated by Japan and Germany. China has established its own supply chain. A "super industrial cluster" has been formed in the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions, enabling the supply of components such as reducers, servo motors, controllers, sensors, and batteries, as well as system integration services, to be completed within a single metropolitan area.
The report analysis shows that this has shortened the R&D, manufacturing, testing, and mass production cycle from several weeks to just a few days, reducing costs by 30%-50% compared to Europe and Japan.
The report recommends that South Korea should learn from China's experience in developing the robotics industry and formulate a strategic direction for South Korea's robotics industry, with three pillars at its core: creating demand, industrial integration, and strengthening global cooperation in the era of physical AI.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1849999487171584/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.