China tops global robot stock, record 1.5 million in factories
FRANKFURT, GERMANY — China continues to dominate the global robotics industry with 1.5 million robots operating in factories across the country.
The latest World Robotics – Industrial Robots report from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) revealed that China added 290,258 industrial robot units to its operations in 2022 alone, marking a 5% growth.
This growth consolidates China’s dominance in the field, accounting for over half of global robot installations.
“China is by far the world’s largest market for robotics,” says IFR’s President Marina Bill. “This latest gain of 5% in 2022 is remarkable since it even tops the 2021 result that was a 57% jump over 2020.”
The surge in robot installations in China was largely driven by the electrical and electronics industries, which made up 35% of the installations. The automotive industry followed closely, accounting for 26%.
Notably, Chinese robot manufacturers have asserted their presence on the global stage, supplying 41% of robots to the global electronics industry and 17% to their own domestic auto sector.
Although growth in the metal and machinery industry slowed 16% to 30,932 units, Chinese suppliers maintained a commanding 77% market share.
China’s operational robot stock hit 1.5 million in 2022, dwarfing European and North American totals of 728,391 and 452,217 units.
