Editor's note: Belunn Se, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a senior industry observer based in Shenzhen, China. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Robotics, a vital force in the new wave of technological and industrial revolution, has been strategically prioritized by China and integrated into national development plans. Multiple government agencies, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Science and Technology, have introduced policies to optimize industrial chains and enhance independent innovation.

As a result, China's robotics industry has made significant strides in both quantity and quality – with homegrown brands rising, core technologies advancing and international collaboration deepening.

The highly anticipated World Robot Conference (WRC), which kicked off in Beijing Friday, brings together the world's foremost innovators to discuss how to make robots smarter and embodied agents more intelligent. With more than 200 leading robotics companies from across the globe presenting over 1,500 exhibits, the conference is a global stage for the latest breakthroughs, innovations and real-world applications in the robotics industry.

Leveraging the WRC, China is contributing to the construction of a global technology governance framework, promoting common standards, ethical oversight and collaborative innovation in robotics.

Leading the global robotics surge

In 2024, China's industrial robot market reached sales of 302,000 units, maintaining its position as the world's largest industrial robot market for the 12th consecutive year. China is also the world's largest producer of robots, with industrial robot production increasing from 33,000 units in 2015 to 556,000 units in 2024.

This strength extends to the service robots sector, with over 10 million units produced in 2024 for applications ranging from household services, warehousing and logistics to commercial services, elderly care as well as medical rehabilitation.

In 2024, Chinese manufacturers dominated the global commercial service robot market, accounting for a remarkable 84.7 percent of total shipments. Leading Chinese companies such as ECOVACS, Narwal and UBTECH have entered the ranks of top global players, with their products exported worldwide. With advances across the entire robotics value chain, China is not only leading in scale but also driving innovation, having become a key engine of global robotics advancement.

As artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies continue to converge, robots are moving beyond traditional industrial settings, into urban operations, public services and households. They are fast becoming catalysts for social progress and lifestyle transformation.

In the era of intelligent manufacturing, industrial robots and automated guided vehicles are transforming productivity. Collaborative robots, capable of working safely alongside humans, are enhancing flexibility and safety in tasks like assembly, inspection and material handling, boosting efficiency across sectors such as automotive manufacturing, electronics and e-commerce logistics.

In the service sector, they are increasingly present in hotels, hospitals and public institutions, assisting with guest services, medical triage and multilingual inquiries, enhancing convenience and accessibility. Robots are no longer merely tools for industrial labor – they are reshaping the way we work, live and interact.

The next leap forward: Embodied intelligence

Powered by the convergence of AI, big data, sensors and computer vision, robots have evolved beyond fixed mechanical arms to robots with embodied intelligence that perceive and interact with their environment.

These robots can detect and navigate around obstacles, recognize faces, understand voice commands and perform tasks such as caregiving, delivery and disaster response. They are no longer lifeless machines but cognitive, responsive and physically aware companions.

The concept of embodied intelligence includes any intelligent system capable of learning and interacting through a physical body within a real-world environment. Humanoid robots and robotic dogs are prime examples.

As technology matures and costs decline, the adoption and real-world deployment of humanoid robots will accelerate. Though challenges remain, such as limited intelligence and battery life, advancements in AI and hardware are rapidly closing these gaps. In the next decade, robots with embodied intelligence will proliferate across manufacturing, healthcare, elderly care, education and services, forming a trillion-dollar emerging market and becoming a major force driving social and economic transformation.

This year, the WRC's dedicated "Application Pavilion" spotlights how robots are being integrated into healthcare, education, agriculture, construction and emergency response. These showcase how the gap between lab innovations and market needs is being bridged.

Entering a new intelligent era

History shows that every industrial revolution has been triggered by disruptive foundational technologies – from steam power to electricity to digitalization. Today, the fusion of AI and robotics marks the dawn of the fourth industrial revolution – an era where intelligence augments humanity.

The 2025 WRC is more than a celebration of technology – it is a call to action for the future. With an open mindset and a cooperative spirit, China welcomes the world, ready to collaborate with global peers to craft a shared vision for the intelligent age. As the conference theme aptly states, robotics will be the vital engine driving us toward a smarter, more efficient and more inclusive future.

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