As labor costs rise and my country's demographic dividend gradually disappears, the shift to "robot replacement" in manufacturing becomes mainstream, creating a massive market for industrial robots in my country. Faced with this vast domestic market, the four largest global robotics companies—KUKA, FANUC, YASKAWA, and ABB—have all taken action, accelerating their in-depth presence in the Chinese market.

　　As the demographic dividend gradually disappears, my country has become the world's largest market for industrial robots. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, by 2020, my country will have a relatively complete industrial robot industry system, with high-end robots accounting for over 45% of the market share. Currently, the use of industrial robots in China is primarily concentrated in the automotive and electrical and electronics industries, with arc welding robots, spot welding robots, and handling robots being widely adopted in production.

　　Since 2016, replacing humans with machines has become a pressing need for business development. Furthermore, with the price of industrial robots continuing to decline, the effect of this shift has become increasingly pronounced. The enormous potential of my country's industrial robot market has attracted the attention of the world's "Big Four" robotics companies: Kuka, Fanuc, Yaskawa, and ABB. These companies have all accelerated their expansion into the Chinese market.

　　On April 24th, Yaskawa Electric and Changying Precision officially signed a contract in Songshan Lake, Dongguan, establishing a joint venture, Guangdong Tianji Robot Co., Ltd. As one of the four largest robotics companies globally, this powerful partnership will leverage the strengths of both companies in technology and markets to develop a cutting-edge, compact six-axis industrial robot, enhancing the quality and core technology of domestically produced Chinese robotics products.

　　After the establishment of the joint venture, Tianji Robotics plans to produce 500 small six-axis robots in 2017, 2,000 in 2018, and achieve an annual production capacity of 10,000 by 2021.

　　As one of the world's four largest robotics brands, Yaskawa possesses core robotics technologies, including servo motors and motion control systems. Its proven track record and exceptional price-performance ratio have consistently led the world. From Yaskawa's perspective, Changying Precision was chosen as a partner for the development of its small six-axis robot due to its extensive experience in the 3C industry and the enormous market potential it could tap into.

　　After the establishment of the joint venture between Yaskawa and Changying Precision, Tianji Robotics plans to produce 500 small six-axis robots in 2017, 2,000 in 2018, and achieve an annual production capacity of 10,000 by 2021.

　　Regarding ABB, Japanese media reported that ABB, one of the world's top four industrial robot manufacturers, will open a large-scale sales and service base, known as an "application center," in Chongqing, in inland China, in 2017. ABB hopes to capitalize on the growing demand for automation in inland China, where investment opportunities to boost economic development are increasing.

　　ABB is currently preparing to open an application center. The center, expected to span several thousand square meters and with an undisclosed investment amount, will be equipped with industrial robots, sales personnel, and technical support engineers.

　　ABB has bases in Qingdao and Zhuhai, both on China's coast. The Zhuhai application center plans to relocate and expand in 2017. Li Gang, head of ABB's robotics business in China, stated that three bases in China are insufficient and that future centers will be needed in northern China.

　　Another company, FANUC, one of the "Big Four" companies, has also set its sights on Chongqing. It's understood that FANUC began building a technical center in Chongqing, China as early as 2016. At the time, FANUC CEO Yoshiharu Inaba stated that the company hoped to cultivate talent, such as robotics engineers and systems engineers, through the Chongqing technical center, and contribute to Chongqing's development.

　　"We plan to collaborate with Chongqing's automakers to promote intelligent applications and bring cutting-edge robotics technology to Chongqing," said Yoshiharu Inaba. In recent years, capital investment in inland areas, where economic development lags behind coastal regions, has made progress. FANUC is also discussing establishing a technical center in Chongqing in 2018 as a sales and service base.

　　Kuka, one of the "Big Four" companies, already has Chinese roots. This year, it was formally acquired by China's Midea Group, becoming a key component of Midea's industrial ecosystem. Given Midea's vast market base, well-established sales channels, and strong consumer loyalty in China, Kuka is poised to become the most successful of the "Big Four" companies in the Chinese robotics market.

　　The high level of interest in the Chinese market from the "Four Major Robotics Companies" globally demonstrates that the peak of China's robotics market is far from here, and its potential remains enormous. While strengthening collaboration with the "Four Major Robotics Companies," domestic robotics companies should also prioritize the future, prioritize quality, and build their own core competitiveness. This will help them achieve sustainable development, drive intelligent transformation in the industry, and realize "Created in China."