China’s 15th Five-Year Plan has platformed the robotics industry, with the aim to pivot its AI research towards physical applications.
According to data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), China’s manufacturing industry already has an operational stock of around 2 million units which is approximately 4.5 times more than the global no. 2, Japan.
Additionally, 54% of annual industrial robots installed worldwide were deployed in China, while 64% of industrial robots in the global electronics industry are installed in country.
Chinese manufacturers supply 59% of this industry. In the metal and machinery industry, Chinese robot suppliers even reached a domestic market share of 85%.
However, IFR stated that mass adoption as universal humanoid factory helpers or in private households will not happen within the near- and medium-term future.
The 15th Five-Year plan sees the commercialisation of humanoid robots rather towards the end of the plan´s period. Wide adoption of AI with traditional industrial robotics is expected over the next five to ten years.
President of the International Federation of Robotics, Takayuki Ito, said: “The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan of the People’s Republic of China acts as the primary framework document that sets the overarching direction for all other government actions.
“Thousands of subordinate sectoral and regional plans are now mandated to align with the objectives.
“Under the new framework, China is shifting its focus from traditional industrial automation to high-end, intelligent robotics integrated with artificial intelligence.”
IntraLogisteX Singapore connects providers of effective supply chain & logistics solutions with supply chain & manufacturing professionals.
