In 2011, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) began sharply prioritizing robotics as a strategic sector, officially declaring it a national priority. Since then, increasingly aggressive goals have been set, and investment in robotics has surged. Today, we are witnessing the early results of this massive effort. With the March 2025 release of the new Five-Year Plan for Robot Industry Development, it is clear that China’s robotics revolution is only just beginning.

The PRC is already the world’s largest robotics market, both in annual sales and in the operational stock of robots. In 2023, Chinese factories installed 276,000+ new industrial robots, accounting for about 51% of global demand​. This brought the total operational stock in China’s manufacturing to 1.75 million units. 47% of these robots are from Chinese manufacturers, a jump from 28% in previous years (remaining installations were met by foreign firms like Japan’s Fanuc, Yaskawa, Switzerland’s ABB, and Germany’s KUKA, which have all set up operations in China).

Chinese planners hope to control the global supply of robots, from finished products to all core components. With their slowing economy and known demographic issues, this is seen as their great hope. They expect robots to to be their “new engine of economic growth.” Their robotic plans cover multiple sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, logistics and of course the military. What they produce now cost a fraction of robots produced in the west (as low as 20% less). They face many challenges and still import many precison components from the west, but with massive investment (they just announced a $128 billion venture fund for robotics), their intent is to become totally self sufficient in all aspects of robotics.

Like the AI and analytics focus areas of the PRC (see The Geography of PRC AI: Cities Leading in Policy, Innovation, Hardware and Research), many regional hubs have been designated for focused investments.

They include:

Shenzhen

• Designated a national robotics innovation hub, emphasized in multiple Five-Year Plans.

• It hosts some of China’s most advanced robotics firms (DJI, UBTECH, Pudu Robotics) and is the center of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area innovation strategy, which includes AI, robotics, and smart manufacturing.
• Shenzhen has established dedicated zones like the Shenzhen Robotics Industrial Park in Bao’an District.

Beijing

• Beijing has been designated a core national AI and robotics development center.
• It hosts major SOEs (AVIC, CASC) and startups (Geek+, Tinavi), and is home to China’s largest clusters of defense and aerospace robotics research.
• The city’s Zhongguancun Science Park is specifically tasked with incubating robotics and AI companies.

Shanghai

• Shanghai is listed in the National Robotics Development Plan (2021–2025) as one of China’s premier cities for robotics R&D and manufacturing.
• It hosts leading firms like Fourier Intelligence, MicroPort MedBot, and Keenon Robotics.
• The Shanghai Robot Industrial Park in Jiading District is a nationally recognized hub, and the city hosts China International Robot Show (CIROS) annually.

Guangzhou

• Guangzhou is promoted under national and provincial plans as a robotics manufacturing and application center.
• It hosts XAG and others and is developing a Guangzhou International Robot Industrial Park, focused on agricultural, service, and industrial robots.

Wuhan

• Wuhan, through its links to China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), is heavily involved in marine robotics, underwater drones, and unmanned naval systems.
• It is developing robotics tied to autonomous shipping, underwater vehicles, and maritime defense as part of the Yangtze River Economic Belt strategy.

Shenyang

• Shenyang, home to SIASUN, is historically one of China’s first designated national robotics bases.
• The Shenyang Robotics Industrial Park is part of the “Made in China 2025” effort to strengthen advanced manufacturing.
• Shenyang focuses on industrial robots, including welding, assembly, and logistics automation systems.

Hangzhou

• Hangzhou has strong provincial support as a robotics and AI innovation hub within Zhejiang Province’s industrial upgrading strategy.
• Unitree Robotics benefits from Hangzhou’s positioning as a center for “AI + Robotics” fusion applications.

Xi’an

• Xi’an is prioritized as a defense and aerospace robotics R&D base, hosting CASIC operations and Zhong Tian Guide Control Technology (ZT Guide).
• It is part of national “Western Development” policies that emphasize high-tech industries, including unmanned systems and autonomous vehicles.

Nanjing

• Nanjing is part of the Yangtze River Delta Robotics Development Zone, with Estun Automation leading local industrial robotics manufacturing.

Suzhou

• Suzhou (home to Ecovacs) is integrated into Shanghai’s broader robotics corridor, focused more on service robots and home automation technologies.

Harbin

• Harbin (through HIT Robot Group) is officially recognized for military robotics research and autonomous systems as part of China’s northern technology base.

Wuhu

• Wuhu, with EFORT, is less nationally recognized but is important regionally within Anhui Province’s robotics and intelligent equipment strategic initiative.

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PRC Robotics Companies

The number of companies in the robotics ecosystem is massive. The list below contains just the major players, organized by sector:

Defense and Military Robotics Organizations

DJI (Dà-Jiāng Innovations, Shenzhen)
DJI dominates global small UAV markets with drones like the Phantom, Mavic, Matrice, and Agras series, widely used in commercial, police, and battlefield reconnaissance. It is advancing AI-driven autonomy and drone swarming concepts, while maintaining strategic partnerships with mapping and agriculture tech firms despite mounting export restrictions.

NORINCO (China North Industries Group)
NORINCO is China’s premier ground systems and UGV producer, fielding robotic platforms like the Sharp Claw series for reconnaissance and transport roles. It is advancing into swarm UGV systems, armed unmanned vehicles, and drone-UGV hybrid tactics, with deep integration into PLA modernization initiatives.

AVIC – Aviation Industry Corporation of China
AVIC leads in medium- to high-end UAVs, exporting combat drones like the Wing Loong II and developing stealth UAVs such as Sharp Sword. It is investing heavily in loyal wingman drones and swarm technologies, often collaborating with elite aerospace universities like NUAA to push combat drone innovation.

CASC – China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
CASC, builder of China’s space systems, also produces military UAVs, notably the Caihong (CH) series like CH-4 and CH-5 armed drones. CASC is expanding into high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) drones and solar-powered UAVs, and is heavily involved in developing satellite-linked control systems for beyond-line-of-sight drone operations.

CASIC – China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation
CASIC specializes in missile systems and unmanned aerial platforms, particularly loitering munitions and tactical drone swarms. CASIC’s WJ-series UAVs and drone-swarm solutions aim to saturate enemy defenses, with a focus on AI coordination, electronic warfare integration, and rapid battlefield deployment concepts.

CETC – China Electronics Technology Group Corporation
CETC is the PLA’s primary developer of military electronics, including autonomous electronic warfare drones, jamming UAVs, and AI-driven battlefield management platforms. It integrates electronic support measures (ESM), cyber capabilities, and UAV sensor networks into unmanned systems to create multi-domain situational dominance.

Zhong Tian Guide Control Technology Co., Ltd. (ZT Guide)
ZT Guide focuses on precision-guided munitions and unmanned aerial strike systems, including small attack drones and guided loitering munitions. Its products are designed for rapid deployment in mobile battlefield environments and are being integrated into PLA ground forces experimentation units.

China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC)
CSIC, responsible for much of China’s naval equipment, is developing unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for mine countermeasures, ISR, and offensive operations. It has prototypes of stealthy USVs and AI-driven torpedo-carrying underwater drones.

Harbin Institute of Technology Robotics Group (HIT Robot Group)
HIT Robot Group, affiliated with Harbin Institute of Technology, contributes to military robotics research, focusing on autonomous ground vehicles, robotic exoskeletons for soldiers, and robotic manipulators for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD). It collaborates with PLA research arms on future soldier systems and robotic force multipliers.

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Industrial Robotics Companies

SIASUN Robot & Automation Co., Ltd.
China’s flagship industrial robot manufacturer, SIASUN produces a full range of automation solutions, including six-axis arms, SCARA robots, delta robots, AGVs, and turnkey production lines. It is now pushing into AI-driven collaborative robots and 5G-enabled smart factory systems.

Estun Automation (Nanjing)
Originally a motion control firm, Estun now offers 60+ robot models, including heavy-payload six-axis arms, palletizing robots, and SCARA units. It is expanding into mid-to-high-end collaborative robots through acquisitions like CLOOS and TRIO, and is focused on AI-enhanced robotic vision systems.

EFORT Intelligent Equipment (Wuhu)
EFORT supplies six-axis industrial robots, SCARA robots, and robotic welding lines, primarily to China’s automotive and general industries. It is enhancing its robot precision with AI, integrating machine vision, and expanding internationally through partnerships with firms like BMW and Comau.

Midea Group (KUKA Robotics)
Through its acquisition of Germany’s KUKA, Midea controls one of the largest global robot makers. It focuses on mid-range, AI-enhanced robots for electronics manufacturing, factory automation, and warehouse logistics, with strong integration into Huawei-led 5G smart factory ecosystems.

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Service and Humanoid Robotics Companies

UBTECH Robotics (Shenzhen)
UBTECH, a leader in humanoid and service robots, offers the Walker bipedal humanoid, Cruzr reception robots, and educational kits. It is deploying humanoids into industrial, retail, and eldercare sectors, supported by Tencent investment and partnerships like Disney.

Unitree Robotics (Hangzhou)
Unitree produces affordable quadruped robots and recently launched the H1 humanoid. It is expanding into security patrol robots and dynamic industrial applications, building partnerships with Huawei and academic research labs.

Geek+ (Beijing)
Geek+ specializes in smart warehouse AMRs, robotic forklifts, and sorting systems for logistics, serving global giants like Nike and DHL. It is advancing AI multi-robot coordination to standardize full robotic warehouse deployment.

Pudu Robotics (Shenzhen)
Pudu Robotics, known for food-delivery and disinfection robots, is expanding into mall, airport, and commercial cleaning markets. It partners with brands like Meituan and major restaurant chains globally.

Keenon Robotics (Shanghai)
Keenon produces robotic waiters and hotel service robots, expanding into healthcare service robotics with backing from SoftBank and integration partnerships with elevator companies.

Ecovacs Robotics (Suzhou)
Ecovacs is a global leader in home robotic cleaning (DEEBOT) and expanding into robotic arms, outdoor robots, and commercial air purifiers, collaborating with Amazon, Google, and Alibaba platforms.

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Medical Robotics Companies

MicroPort MedBot (Shanghai)
MicroPort MedBot leads in surgical robotics with its Toumai SP single-port laparoscopic robot, expanding into orthopedic and vascular robotics, preparing to challenge international competitors.

TINAVI Medical Technologies (Beijing)
TINAVI, China’s pioneer in orthopedic surgery robots, is developing 5G-enabled telesurgery platforms and expanding internationally via partnerships like its collaboration with Medtronic.

Fourier Intelligence (Shanghai)
Fourier bridges rehabilitation and humanoid robotics, supplying robotic exoskeletons and launching its GR-1 humanoid for hospital and eldercare use, collaborating with top global institutions.

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Agricultural Robotics Companies

XAG (Guangzhou)
XAG is China’s leader in agricultural drones and smart farming solutions, expanding into autonomous tractors and AI-driven crop health management, with partnerships across global agribusinesses.

FJDynamics (Shenzhen)
FJDynamics focuses on autonomous farm machinery and construction robots, developing intelligent weed removal and fruit-picking systems, with investment and cloud AI backing from Tencent.

Defense and Military Robotics Organizations

DJI (Dà-Jiāng Innovations, Shenzhen) (Website)
DJI dominates global small UAV markets with drones like the Phantom, Mavic, Matrice, and Agras series, widely used in commercial, police, and battlefield reconnaissance. It is advancing AI-driven autonomy and drone swarming concepts, while maintaining strategic partnerships with mapping and agriculture tech firms despite mounting export restrictions.

NORINCO (China North Industries Group) (Website)
NORINCO is China’s premier ground systems and UGV producer, fielding robotic platforms like the Sharp Claw series for reconnaissance and transport roles. It is advancing into swarm UGV systems, armed unmanned vehicles, and drone-UGV hybrid tactics, with deep integration into PLA modernization initiatives.

AVIC – Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Website)
AVIC leads in medium- to high-end UAVs, exporting combat drones like the Wing Loong II and developing stealth UAVs such as Sharp Sword. It is investing heavily in loyal wingman drones and swarm technologies, often collaborating with elite aerospace universities like NUAA to push combat drone innovation.

CASC – China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (Website)
CASC, builder of China’s space systems, also produces military UAVs, notably the Caihong (CH) series like CH-4 and CH-5 armed drones. CASC is expanding into high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) drones and solar-powered UAVs, and is heavily involved in developing satellite-linked control systems for beyond-line-of-sight drone operations.

CASIC – China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (Website)
CASIC specializes in missile systems and unmanned aerial platforms, particularly loitering munitions and tactical drone swarms. CASIC’s WJ-series UAVs and drone-swarm solutions aim to saturate enemy defenses, with a focus on AI coordination, electronic warfare integration, and rapid battlefield deployment concepts.

CETC – China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (Website)
CETC is the PLA’s primary developer of military electronics, including autonomous electronic warfare drones, jamming UAVs, and AI-driven battlefield management platforms. It integrates electronic support measures (ESM), cyber capabilities, and UAV sensor networks into unmanned systems to create multi-domain situational dominance.

Zhong Tian Guide Control Technology Co., Ltd. (ZT Guide) (Website)
ZT Guide focuses on precision-guided munitions and unmanned aerial strike systems, including small attack drones and guided loitering munitions (similar to American Switchblade drones). Its products are designed for rapid deployment in mobile battlefield environments and are being integrated into PLA ground forces experimentation units.

China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) (Website)
CSIC, responsible for much of China’s naval equipment, is developing unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for mine countermeasures, ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), and offensive operations. It has prototypes of stealthy USVs and AI-driven torpedo-carrying underwater drones.

Harbin Institute of Technology Robotics Group (HIT Robot Group) (Website)
HIT Robot Group, affiliated with Harbin Institute of Technology, contributes to military robotics research, focusing on autonomous ground vehicles, robotic exoskeletons for soldiers, and robotic manipulators for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD). It collaborates with PLA research arms on future soldier systems and robotic force multipliers.

Industrial Robotics Companies

SIASUN Robot & Automation Co., Ltd. (Website)
China’s flagship industrial robot manufacturer, SIASUN produces a full range of automation solutions, including six-axis arms, SCARA robots, delta robots, AGVs, and turnkey production lines. It is now pushing into AI-driven collaborative robots and 5G-enabled smart factory systems. SIASUN benefits from ties to the Chinese Academy of Sciences and partnerships across Europe and Asia.

Estun Automation (Nanjing) (Website)
Originally a motion control firm, Estun now offers 60+ robot models, including heavy-payload six-axis arms, palletizing robots, and SCARA units. It is expanding into mid-to-high-end collaborative robots through acquisitions like Germany’s CLOOS and UK’s TRIO, and is focused on AI-enhanced robotic vision systems for smarter manufacturing.

EFORT Intelligent Equipment (Wuhu) (Website)
EFORT supplies six-axis industrial robots, SCARA robots, and robotic welding lines, primarily to China’s automotive and general industries. It is enhancing its robot precision with AI, integrating machine vision, and launching cobots, aiming for broader overseas expansion with European tech partners like BMW and Comau.

Midea Group (KUKA Robotics) (Website)
Through its acquisition of Germany’s KUKA, Midea controls one of the largest global industrial robot makers. KUKA produces everything from SCARA to heavy-duty six-axis robots, collaborative systems, and warehouse automation. Midea is localizing KUKA production in China, focusing on mid-range and AI-enhanced robots, and collaborating with Huawei on 5G-enabled factory automation.

Service and Humanoid Robotics Companies

UBTECH Robotics (Shenzhen) (Website)
UBTECH, a leader in humanoid and service robots, offers the Walker bipedal humanoid, Cruzr reception robots, and educational robot kits. It is deploying humanoids into industrial settings like Geely’s Zeekr factories and plans broader use in retail, hospitality, and elder care, with support from investors like Tencent and partnerships with brands like Disney.

Unitree Robotics (Hangzhou) (Website)
Unitree is known for affordable quadruped robots (Go1, AlienGo) and recently launched the H1 humanoid robot. It is advancing into security and industrial patrol applications and aims to commercialize its next-gen humanoid, G1, for human-robot interaction and dynamic tasks, with collaborations across universities and tech companies like Huawei.

Geek+ (Beijing) (Website)
Geek+ specializes in smart logistics robots, including warehouse AMRs, robotic forklifts, and automated sorting solutions. It serves global giants like Nike and DHL and is now advancing AI-powered multi-robot orchestration. Geek+ aims to deploy fully standardized robotic warehouses worldwide as e-commerce demand surges.

Pudu Robotics (Shenzhen) (Website)
Pudu Robotics is known for its food-delivery and disinfection robots like BellaBot and Puductor, operating in restaurants and hotels across 60 countries. It is expanding into shopping malls, airports, and cleaning robots, backed by partnerships with Meituan and major hospitality brands like Haidilao and Pizza Hut.

Keenon Robotics (Shanghai) (Website)
Keenon builds robotic waiters, concierges, and hotel delivery bots, operating widely in restaurants and hospitality venues. With SoftBank as a strategic investor, it is advancing next-generation autonomous service robots and expanding into healthcare robotics and global markets, integrating with elevator systems for seamless building-wide operations.

Ecovacs Robotics (Suzhou) (Website)
Ecovacs is a global leader in home service robots like the DEEBOT vacuum cleaners and WINBOT window robots. It is expanding into robotic arms for tidying tasks, outdoor robots, and commercial air purification robots, with partnerships across Amazon, Google, Alibaba, and major electronics retailers.

Medical Robotics Companies

MicroPort MedBot (Shanghai) (Website)
MicroPort MedBot focuses on surgical robotics, with its flagship Toumai SP single-port laparoscopic robot approved in China in 2025. It is expanding into orthopedic and vascular robotics, preparing to compete globally with Intuitive Surgical, and partners with hospitals and universities to refine surgical AI and robotic platforms.

TINAVI Medical Technologies (Beijing) (Website)
TINAVI pioneered China’s orthopedic surgery robots, with its TiRobot® system deployed in over 200 hospitals. It is developing cranial and 5G-enabled telesurgery platforms and collaborates with Medtronic and China Unicom to advance robotic surgery capabilities domestically and internationally.

Fourier Intelligence (Shanghai) (Website)
Fourier bridges medical rehabilitation and humanoid robotics, supplying exoskeletons and rehab robots to over 2,000 institutions worldwide. Its GR-1 humanoid robot is evolving for hospital and eldercare applications, while partnerships with institutions like the University of Melbourne and Genesis Robotics push its AI and actuator technology forward.

Agricultural Robotics Companies

XAG (Guangzhou) (Website)
XAG is China’s leading agricultural robotics firm, producing crop-spraying drones like the P100 and P150 series, autonomous ground vehicles, and smart farm management platforms. It is expanding into self-driving tractors and AI-driven crop scouting, with partnerships spanning the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Bayer, and government agencies worldwide.

FJDynamics (Shenzhen) (Website)
FJDynamics focuses on autonomous farm machinery, offering retrofit kits for self-driving tractors and robotics for dairy and horticulture. It is developing intelligent weeding and fruit-picking robots and expanding into construction automation, supported by Tencent investment and partnerships with John Deere dealers and agricultural ministries.

Robotic Companies in the OODA Disruptive Company List