2026 Forecast for China’s Collaborative Robot Industry

In recent years, China’s collaborative robot industry has demonstrated robust growth, with rapid market expansion and an increasingly complete industrial ecosystem. With advancements in technology and the diversification of application scenarios, collaborative robots are poised to become a significant driver of intelligent manufacturing in China.

1. Definition of Collaborative Robots

Collaborative robots, commonly referred to as cobots, are industrial robots designed for direct interaction with humans in shared workspaces, working together to complete tasks. Their core features include force sensing, collision detection, and low power consumption, allowing them to operate safely without the need for traditional protective barriers.

According to the method of force sensing, collaborative robots are divided into two categories:

• Flexible Collaborative Robots: These robots are equipped with high-precision torque sensors in their joints, enabling native multi-point force control. They excel in applications requiring high tactile sensitivity, such as precision assembly, flexible polishing, and medical rehabilitation, offering enhanced safety and accuracy.
• Traditional Collaborative Robots: These models use external six-dimensional torque sensors to achieve force control. They are mainly suitable for applications with lower demands on force control, providing cost and deployment advantages, but they have limitations in complex processes and high-precision tasks.

2. Industry Policies for Collaborative Robots

Collaborative robots represent a unique category of industrial robots that work alongside humans, characterized by high safety, flexible deployment, and strong human-robot collaboration capabilities. They have emerged as essential equipment for the intelligent transformation of the manufacturing sector. In light of this, China’s government has elevated the robot industry to a national strategic level, providing multi-dimensional policy support for collaborative robots.

3. Current Development Status of the Collaborative Robot Industry

1. Sales of Collaborative Robots

In recent years, China’s collaborative robot industry has shown significant growth, with domestic manufacturers capturing over 90% of the market share due to precise market positioning, high product quality, and cost-effectiveness. According to a report by the China Business Industry Research Institute, the sales volume of collaborative robots in China is projected to reach approximately 49,500 units in 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 45.59%. Sales are expected to surpass 60,000 units in 2026, continuing a trend of high growth.

2. Market Size of Collaborative Robots

The Chinese collaborative robot market is rapidly developing, with the market size experiencing substantial growth. The China Business Industry Research Institute forecasts that the market size will increase from 2 billion yuan in 2021 to 2.9 billion yuan in 2025, with an average annual growth rate of 9.7%. The market size is expected to reach 3.8 billion yuan in 2026.

3. Market Structure of Collaborative Robots

Collaborative robots are primarily categorized into flexible and traditional types. Currently, traditional collaborative robots dominate the market, accounting for 55.2% of the market size by 2025, while flexible collaborative robots hold a 44.8% share.

4. Growth of the Flexible Collaborative Robot Market

Flexible collaborative robots, due to their high compatibility in human-machine co-working scenarios, are extending into more complex and diverse applications as intelligent tactile and visual technologies advance. The market size for flexible collaborative robots is expected to grow from 600 million yuan in 2021 to 1.3 billion yuan in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.6%. By 2026, the market size for flexible collaborative robots is projected to reach 1.7 billion yuan.

5. Export Volume of Collaborative Robots

Chinese manufacturers have made significant strides in foreign markets, with export volumes increasing year-on-year. According to data from the General Administration of Customs, the export volume of collaborative robots reached 10,872 units in 2025, with expectations to exceed 12,000 units in 2026.

6. Application Fields for Collaborative Robots

Collaborative robots are mainly utilized in various industrial segments, including automotive parts, 3C electronics, food packaging, and machining. The automotive and parts industry accounts for 20.6% of the market, while 3C electronics account for 19.2%. Medical care and food packaging each represent over 10% of the market share, at 12.4% and 10.4%, respectively.

7. Market Ranking of Collaborative Robot Brands

In recent years, domestic manufacturers have rapidly gained global market share, with the top ten brands for collaborative robot sales in 2025 being Fao Robot, Yaobo Intelligent, Jeka Robot, Luoshi Robot, Huasheng Technology, Elite Robot, Yuejiang Robot, Huayan Robot, Changguangxi Intelligent Manufacturing, and Zhongke Xinsong.

4. Key Players in the Collaborative Robot Industry

1. Yuejiang

Yuejiang is a leading player in the collaborative robot sector, having developed the world’s first desktop collaborative robot. With a product matrix ranging from 0.25 to 30 kg load capacities, the company offers over twenty models across seven series, selling in more than 80 countries. In 2025, Yuejiang reported revenues of 492 million yuan, a 32.9% increase, despite a net loss of 84.04 million yuan.

2. Jeka

Founded in July 2014, Jeka focuses on the research, development, production, and sales of collaborative robot systems, achieving significant market share in China. The company has generated revenues of approximately 281 million yuan, 350 million yuan, and 400 million yuan in 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively.

3. Aobo Intelligent

Aobo Intelligent, established in 2015, specializes in collaborative robots and has developed a comprehensive product matrix. The company has been a leading provider in the domestic market for several years.

4. Fao Robot

Fao Robot, founded in 2019, has innovated in supply chain management and has established two major production bases in Suzhou and Zibo. The company integrates collaborative robots with AI and sensory technologies for various industries.

5. Luoshi Robot

Luoshi Robot is a veteran supplier of AI robotics solutions, focusing on designing and manufacturing collaborative robots. The company achieved significant revenue growth from 267 million yuan in 2023 to 522 million yuan in 2025.

5. Future Development Prospects for Collaborative Robots

1. Increasing Demand for Manufacturing Upgrades

China’s manufacturing sector is undergoing a profound transformation from labor-intensive to technology-intensive operations, driven by a declining workforce and rising labor costs. Collaborative robots, known for their low cost, lightweight design, and high safety, are well-positioned to meet the automation upgrade needs of manufacturers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.

2. Technological Advancements and Cost Reductions

China’s collaborative robot industry has made significant breakthroughs in core technologies, narrowing the gap with global leaders. The continuous development of force control, safety perception, and visual technologies has expanded the range of tasks that collaborative robots can perform.

3. Expanding Application Scenarios

The applications of collaborative robots are rapidly extending beyond traditional manufacturing into non-industrial sectors such as healthcare, service, and education. In healthcare, collaborative robots assist in complex surgical procedures, while in consumer markets, they are used in coffee-making and retail.

4. Strong Policy Support

Ongoing policy support from the national government has provided a solid foundation for the growth of the collaborative robot industry. Various departments have issued laws and regulations to guide technology development and market applications, promoting the healthy and orderly development of the industry.

For more detailed information, please refer to the report titled 2026-2031 Deep Dive Research and Development Outlook for China’s Collaborative Robot Industry published by the China Business Industry Research Institute.