China has surpassed Germany and Japan in the adoption of industrial robotics, according to the latest report by the International Federation of Robotics, reflecting the country’s efforts in pushing forward the use of automation technologies in manufacturing.
China recorded 470 robots per 10,000 employees in 2023, up from 402 units a year earlier. The country now ranks third in its ratio of robots to factory workers, after South Korea and Singapore, according to the World Robotics 2024 report published on Wednesday.
In comparison, the robot ratio per 10,000 employees was 429 for Germany and 419 for Japan.
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China’s position in the ranks has risen quickly since it entered the top 10 in 2019. Within the past four years, the country managed to double its density of robots used.
A cleaning robot exhibited at the World Maritime Equipment Conference in Fuzhou, southeast China’s Fujian province, November 15, 2024. Photo: Xinhua alt=A cleaning robot exhibited at the World Maritime Equipment Conference in Fuzhou, southeast China’s Fujian province, November 15, 2024. Photo: Xinhua>
The latest data reflects the success of China’s strategy to push forward industrial automation, as part of broader efforts to upgrade its industrial economy amid deepening tech rivalry with the US.
“Robot density serves as a useful barometer for comparing the level of automation in manufacturing between countries,” said Takayuki Ito, president of the International Federation of Robotics.
“China’s massive investment in automation technology has achieved this high robot density despite a huge manufacturing workforce of around 37 million people,” he said.
The country is doubling down on the use of robotics, along with other industrial software and hardware, to boost productivity, reduce workforce costs and improve the international competitiveness of its supply chain.
In late 2021, China unveiled its 14th five-year plan for the development of the robotics industry, aiming to achieve a minimum annual growth of 20 per cent in robotics sales and develop a group of industry champions to double robot density by 2025.
To achieve this, local governments – including those in Shanghai and Shenzhen – have provided generous subsidies for companies to step up development and increase the use of robots.
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