China Dominates Global Industrial Robot Market with 295,000 New Installations in 2024

China has installed a staggering 295,000 industrial robots in 2024, significantly outpacing other countries including India.

In an era where robotics and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing manufacturing processes globally, China has established itself as the undisputed leader in factory automation. According to the latest report published by the Frankfurt-based International Federation of Robotics (IFR), Chinese factories deployed nearly 300,000 new robots last year, exceeding the combined installations of all other countries worldwide. By comparison, India installed just 9,100 robots during the same period.

"China is by far the world's largest market in 2024, representing 54 percent of global deployments. The latest figures show that 295,000 industrial robots have been installed - the highest annual total on record," states the comprehensive IFR report.

The Asian manufacturing powerhouse now operates more than two million factory robots, with a growing proportion being domestically produced. In a significant shift, Chinese robot manufacturers sold more units in their home market than foreign competitors for the first time in 2024, increasing their domestic market share to 57 percent, up from 47 percent in 2023.

IFR President Takayuki Ito commented on this remarkable achievement: "China's strategy to modernize its manufacturing base has reached a new milestone in the country's automation push. The robot stock doubled within three years, surpassing 1 million units in 2021 and now counting two million units in 2024."

Meanwhile, India demonstrated modest growth at seven percent, with the automotive industry driving nearly half of all robot installations, accounting for 45 percent of the market share. India currently ranks sixth globally in annual robot installations, having moved up one position ahead of Germany.

The IFR report indicates that China's robotics market continues to expand with no signs of deceleration, as demand increases across multiple industries. The report projects "still a lot of potential in Chinese manufacturing for 10 percent growth on average each year until 2028."

China's dominant position is particularly noteworthy considering these figures exclude humanoid robots, which remain largely experimental worldwide. In July, Hangzhou-based startup Unitree Robotics unveiled humanoid robots priced at approximately Rs 5 lakh ($6,000), directly competing with other manufacturers in this emerging segment.

Unitree's new R1 robot demonstrates impressive capabilities including fist-fighting and performing cartwheels, showcasing significant advancements in robotic locomotion and balance technology by the Chinese company.

If perfected, Unitree's humanoid robots could potentially disrupt the industry by offering sophisticated capabilities at a fraction of the cost of robots developed by industry leaders like American-based Boston Dynamics and Elon Musk's Tesla Optimus.