China’s industrial robot production has seen a sharp rise in early 2026, reflecting the country’s strong push towards automation and advanced manufacturing.
Official data shows that factories are rapidly increasing the use of robots to improve efficiency and reduce dependence on human labour.
Industrial Robot Surge
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), China produced 143,608 industrial robots in January and February this year. This marks a 31 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. The growth is higher than the 27 per cent rise recorded in early 2025, when output stood at 91,088 units.
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The surge highlights China’s continued focus on robotics as a key driver of economic growth. In 2025, the country produced a total of 773,074 industrial robots, representing a 28 per cent year-on-year increase.
In contrast, the service robot segment grew more slowly. Production reached 2.54 million units in the first two months of 2026, recording only a 1 per cent increase compared to last year. However, officials clarified that this slower growth is linked to changes in how data is collected.
An NBS official said that the variation was due to adjustments in the statistical sample, as more service robot manufacturers were added to the dataset. This change affected the overall growth calculation for the sector.
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China’s rapid expansion in industrial robotics is backed by strong policy support from Beijing. The government views “physical artificial intelligence” as a strategic industry that can power future economic development. As a result, companies are being encouraged to adopt robots widely across factory floors.
China already dominates the global industrial robot market. In 2024, it accounted for 54 per cent of worldwide robot installations, according to the International Federation of Robotics. The country installed 295,000 units, far ahead of Japan’s 44,500 and the US’s 34,200 units.
Major technology companies are also entering the robotics space. Electric vehicle makers and electronics firms are investing heavily in humanoid robots and automation technologies. These efforts aim to integrate robots into manufacturing processes at a large scale.
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Chinese tech giant Xiaomi recently tested its self-developed humanoid robots in car production. The company reported that these robots operated autonomously for three hours and completed assembly tasks without human intervention. Founder Lei Jun said the company plans to deploy a large number of such robots in its factories over the next five years.
Meanwhile, UBTech Robotics, based in Shenzhen, announced a partnership with Siemens Industrial Software.
The collaboration aims to improve production efficiency and speed up development. UBTech said it is working towards producing 100,000 humanoid robots by the end of 2026.
The growing adoption of robots signals a major shift in China’s manufacturing landscape. With strong government backing and rising industry investment, automation is set to play a central role in shaping the country’s industrial future.
