China’s Industrial Robot Output Tops 530,000 Units in First Half of Year
China produced 538,000 industrial robots in the first half of 2026, a 28% year-on-year increase, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The figures, released through Xinhua News, underscore the country’s accelerating transition toward automated manufacturing and smart factory development.
The production milestone was confirmed at a State Council Information Office press conference on July 20, where MIIT Chief Engineer Wang Weiming reported that industrial robot and service robot production grew 28% and 11.9% year-on-year respectively during the first half of the year. Wang noted that the equipment industry’s value-added output grew 6.4%, contributing 23.5% to overall industrial growth above designated size.
Context: A Manufacturing Powerhouse Goes Automated
The latest figures continue a robust growth trajectory for China’s industrial robot sector. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, production reached 237,600 units, up 33.2% year-on-year, with March output hitting 91,954 units, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) cited by Zhuzao Toutiao. While the H1 growth rate of 28% represents a slight moderation from Q1’s pace, it remains firmly in double-digit territory, driven by demand from the automotive, 3C electronics, and new energy sectors.
The industrial robot data is part of a broader surge in China’s electronic information manufacturing sector. According to MIIT data, the sector’s production grew 14.8% in H1 2026, with investment up 6.5%. From January to May, revenue reached 7.52 trillion yuan (up 17.1%) and profits hit 422 billion yuan (up 104%), reflecting significantly improved profitability.
Smart Factory Expansion Drives Demand
Central to the growing demand for industrial robots is China’s aggressive push to build smart factories as part of its manufacturing upgrade strategy. MIIT data shows the country has established over 56,000 basic-level smart factories, more than 9,000 advanced-level facilities, and over 500 excellent-level smart factories, with 15 leading-level smart factories cultivated.
These facilities are central to China’s “15th Five-Year Plan” (2026-2030) vision of building a new form of intelligent economy. The 2026 Government Work Report explicitly calls for accelerating intelligent transformation across manufacturing, supported by policies including the MIIT’s smart factory gradient cultivation program and the “Robot+” application action plan.
Regional Leadership: Guangdong at the Forefront
Guangdong Province, China’s largest industrial robot producer, saw its output grow 34.2% in the first half of 2026, according to 21st Century Business Herald. The province produced 336,300 industrial robots in 2025, accounting for 43.5% of national output and ranking first in China for six consecutive years.
Guangdong’s success reflects a broader trend of AI-driven industrial transformation across the country. The province’s electronic information manufacturing sector grew 11.6% in H1 2026, contributing over 50% to its industrial growth, while high-tech industry investment rose 9.8%.
Global Position and Industry Momentum
China’s robot industry has achieved notable global leadership across multiple segments. The country’s four-legged robots account for nearly 70% of global sales, and there are over 400 humanoid robot products on the market—more than half of the global total. The robot industry’s revenue has been growing at over 20% annually.
This momentum is reflected in the broader manufacturing ecosystem. As Economic Daily reported, Chinese smart manufacturing companies are expanding globally, with firms like Estun Automation operating seven global manufacturing bases and maintaining over 150,000 installed industrial robots by 2025. The company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in March 2026, becoming the first dual-platform listed company in China’s industrial robot sector.
What to Watch Next
As China enters the second half of 2026, several factors will shape the industrial robot sector’s trajectory. The continued rollout of smart factory initiatives, the integration of AI into manufacturing processes, and the expansion of domestic robot brands into global markets are all expected to sustain growth.
The MIIT has signaled continued policy support, including the 2026 humanoid robot and embodied intelligence real-world training special action jointly issued with SASAC in June. With the “15th Five-Year Plan” period now underway, China’s industrial robot sector appears positioned for continued expansion as the country deepens its commitment to manufacturing automation and intelligent transformation.