How is China Leading Asia Industrial Robotics Market?

Asia is the world’s largest market for industrial robots, with nearly three-quarters of all newly deployed robots installed in the region in 2022. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), more than 400,000 units were installed in Asia that year, marking a 5% increase from the previous year.

Key Takeaways

• Asia leads the world in industrial robot installations, with China as the largest market and a significant focus on automation and robotics.
• Robotics stands as a pivotal advanced technology industry of our era, poised to play an increasingly significant role in shaping the global economy.
• Despite growth, Asia’s robot density lags behind Europe and North America, presenting a potential area for future development and adoption of robotics.
• Government support, technological advancements, and rising demand are driving the rapid evolution and innovation of the robotics industry in Asia, overcoming challenges such as high integration costs and cybersecurity risks.

China leads the region’s market, with over 290,000 units installed in 2022, accounting for more than half of all installations in Asia. Japan is the second-largest market in Asia, with more than 50,000 newly installed units in 2022, showing a 9% increase from the previous year and surpassing the pre-pandemic level of 2019. The Republic of Korea follows with nearly 32,000 units installed in 2022, representing a 1% increase.

The robotics industry’s revenue is expected to demonstrate an annual growth rate (CAGR 2025-2033) of 9.7% in the Asia Pacific region. This growth is driven by increasing automation across industries, advancements in artificial intelligence, and rising demand for robotics in manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.

In 2023, the trend continued, with 70% of all newly deployed robots installed in Asia, followed by 17% in Europe and 10% in the Americas. The total number of operational robots worldwide reached 4,281,585 units, with China alone accounting for 51% of the global installations in 2023.

Despite leading in the adoption of industrial robots, Asia’s robot density, which measures the degree of automation adoption in the manufacturing industry, was at 182 units per 10,000 employees in 2023, an increase of 7.6%. This figure is lower than the European Union’s robot density of 219 units per 10,000 employees and North America’s 197 units per 10,000 employees.

Major Countries in Asia

• China: The largest market for industrial robots, with over 290,000 units installed in 2022 and 276,288 units installed in 2023. This consistent demand highlights China’s strategic focus on automation to enhance manufacturing efficiency and maintain its position as a global production powerhouse.
• Japan continues to demonstrate steady growth, maintaining its position as the second-largest market in Asia. Over 50,000 units were installed in 2022, increasing slightly to 51,030 units in 2023, reflecting consistent demand and market stability.
• Republic of Korea: Third-largest market in Asia, with nearly 32,000 units installed in 2022 and 31,716 units installed in 2023.
• Singapore: Leading in robot density, with 770 robots deployed per 10,000 employees in the manufacturing sector in 2023.
• Japan: Also among the top five in robot density, with 419 units deployed per 10,000 employees in 2023. This high level of automation reflects the country’s focus on advanced manufacturing and robotics, particularly in industries like automotive and electronics.

Key Players in the Asia Industrial Robotics Market

Asia Industrial Robotics Market

The Asia-Pacific industrial robotics market is dominated by several major players who are continuously innovating and expanding their product offerings. Here are some of the key players:

• FANUC Corporation: Known for its advanced robotics solutions, FANUC has a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific market.
• Yaskawa Electric Corporation: A leader in robotics and automation, Yaskawa offers a wide range of industrial robots and motion control solutions.
• KUKA AG: KUKA is a major player in the industrial robotics market, providing high-quality robots and automation systems.
• ABB Ltd: ABB is renowned for its industrial automation and robotics solutions, contributing significantly to the growth of the Asia-Pacific market.
• Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd: Kawasaki is a key player in the industrial robotics sector, known for its innovative and reliable robot systems.
• Denso Corporation: Denso is a leading manufacturer of industrial robots, particularly in the automotive industry.
• Mitsubishi Electric Corporation: Mitsubishi Electric is a major supplier of industrial robots and automation systems, focusing on improving manufacturing efficiency.
• Omron Corporation: Omron is known for its advanced robotics and automation technologies, contributing to the growth of the Asia-Pacific market.
• Nachi Fujikoshi Corporation: Nachi is a significant player in the industrial robotics market, offering a variety of robotic solutions.
• Midea Group: Midea is a rising player in the robotics market, focusing on innovation and expanding its product range.

These companies are actively adopting strategies such as partnerships, acquisitions, product launches, and R&D investments to enhance their market position and cater to the growing demand for industrial robots in the Asia-Pacific region.

What is the robotics industry?

The robotics industry encompasses the research, design, manufacturing, and application of robots across various sectors. The robotics industry encompasses the research, design, manufacturing, and application of robots across various sectors. These sectors include healthcare, where robots assist in surgeries and patient care; manufacturing, where they streamline production lines; agriculture, where they enhance precision farming techniques; and even space exploration, where they perform tasks in environments too hostile for humans. As advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning continue to evolve, robots are becoming more autonomous, adaptive, and capable of handling complex tasks, further expanding their role in modern society.

In its modern form, the robotics industry integrates advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and sensors, enabling robots to process data, recognize patterns, and adapt to complex environments. 

The industry is driven by the need for efficiency, productivity, and safety. Robots reduce human error, improve product quality, and perform tasks in environments that are unsafe for humans. 

 The robotics industry continues to evolve, reshaping economies and redefining work across the globe.

The evolution of the robotics industry in Asia

In 2024, the robotics industry in Asia experienced significant growth, particularly in countries like China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Singapore.

China consolidated its position as a leader in the production and adoption of robots. 

China has established itself as the leader in Asia’s industrial robotics market through a combination of strategic initiatives, technological advancements, and significant investments. Here are some key factors contributing to China’s leadership:

1. High Installation Rates: In 2022, China installed over 290,000 industrial robots, accounting for more than half of all installations in Asia. This trend continued in 2023, with China maintaining a significant share of global installations.
2. Government Support: The “Made in China 2025” initiative emphasizes automation and robotics to enhance productivity and reduce reliance on foreign technology. This policy has driven substantial investments in the robotics sector.
3. Technological Advancements: Chinese companies like Agibot (Zhiyuan Robotics) have made significant progress in manufacturing humanoid robots for both domestic and industrial tasks. The integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning has further boosted the capabilities of industrial robots.
4. Diverse Applications: Industrial robots in China are used across various sectors, including automotive, electronics, healthcare, and logistics. This wide range of applications has driven demand and innovation in the robotics industry.
5. Economic Factors: Rising labor costs and the need for increased efficiency have pushed industries to adopt robotic solutions. This shift has been particularly prominent in high-growth industries such as automotive and electronics.
6. Market Growth: The robotics industry’s revenue in the Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at an annual rate of 9.7% from 2025 to 2033. This growth is driven by increasing automation, advancements in AI, and rising demand for robotics in various sectors.

China’s strategic focus on automation and robotics has positioned it as a global leader in the industrial robotics market, driving innovation and efficiency across multiple industries.

Japan, recognized for its advanced robotics technology, continued to innovate in 2024, developing more sophisticated robots for various industrial and service applications. These advancements focused on improving efficiency, precision, and adaptability, enabling robots to perform complex tasks in manufacturing, healthcare, and even disaster response. Additionally, Japan’s commitment to integrating AI with robotics led to breakthroughs in autonomous systems, enhancing their ability to interact seamlessly with humans. As a result, these innovations not only boosted productivity but also addressed labor shortages in key sectors, solidifying Japan’s position as a global leader in robotics technology.

The country maintained its position as one of the world’s leaders in robot density per worker.

South Korea, with one of the highest densities of industrial robots globally, continued to invest in automation and robotics in 2024, driven by its strong electronics and automotive industries.

Indonesia and Vietnam showed growing interest in adopting robotic technologies to strengthen their manufacturing sectors. 

Although starting from a more modest base, 2024 saw investments in automation aimed at improving efficiency and global market competitiveness.

Singapore continued to stand out for its rapid adoption of advanced technologies. In 2024, Singapore maintained its position as one of the nations with the highest density of industrial robots, driving initiatives to integrate robotics across various economic sectors.

Challenges: high costs and cybersecurity

However, the path to widespread adoption is not without obstacles. One of the most pressing challenges is the cost of integrating robots into existing manufacturing systems. 

While hardware costs are decreasing, integration expenses remain prohibitively high, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For large manufacturers, the challenge lies in retrofitting modern robotics into decades-old infrastructure, a task that often proves complex and costly.

Another significant concern is cybersecurity. The increasing interconnectivity of robots under Industry 4.0 exposes them to cyber threats.

 From industrial espionage to malware attacks, the vulnerabilities of connected robots must be addressed to ensure their safe deployment.

Opportunities: government support and emerging technologies

Amid these challenges, governments in Asia are stepping up to support the adoption of robots.

 India, for instance, is leveraging its technological initiatives and defense experiments to promote robotics across sectors such as automotive, education, and start-ups. 

This policy-driven push could help bridge the gap between aspiration and implementation, especially for emerging economies.

In terms of technology, SCARA robots are emerging as the star of the show. Their speed, precision, and compact size make them ideal for high-volume electronics manufacturing, where they excel in tasks like assembly and material handling. As the electronics industry continues to expand, SCARA robots are expected to lead the charge in the next wave of robotic adoption.

In conclusion, the robotics industry in Asia is rapidly evolving, with countries like China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Singapore leading the charge. 

Asia has become a global hub for robotics innovation, driven by technological advancements and the growing need for efficiency across various sectors.

 Despite challenges like high integration costs and cybersecurity risks, the region continues to make significant strides in adoption, bolstered by strong government support and investments in emerging technologies.