1. Upstream: Supply Landscape of Core Components
The upstream segment of industrial robots is defined by three core components: reducers, servo systems, and controllers. These components represent approximately 70% of the total robot cost and constitute the segment with the highest technological barriers.
- Cost Breakdown: Reducers account for the largest share at about 35%, followed by servo systems at 20%, and controllers at 15%.
The market for these components is dynamic, with strong localization trends.
- Reducers: The reducer market is split into two main types.
- Harmonic Reducers: The domestic production of harmonic reducers is advancing rapidly. In 2022, Leaderdrive held a 24.7% share of the Chinese market, positioning it as the closest competitor to the global leader, Hamanaco (42.9%).
- RV Reducers: The RV reducer market is led by Nabtesco, which commands a 53% share in China. Domestic manufacturer Novatech is a strong contender, ranking second with a 15% market share.
- Servo Systems: In the servo system sector, Inovance Technology emerged as the clear leader in the Chinese market in 2023, capturing a 28.2% share.
- Controllers: Chinese companies like Estun are making significant progress through in-house controller development, steadily closing the technological gap with international leaders.
2. Midstream: Competitive Landscape of Robot OEMs
The midstream robot manufacturing sector is witnessing the rapid rise of domestic brands and a corresponding decline in the dominance of foreign players.
- Market Share Shift: In 2023, the collective market share of Chinese robot brands grew to 45.1%, supported by a 28% year-on-year increase in sales. Conversely, the share of foreign brands fell to 54.9%, with their sales declining by 15%.
- Key Players:
- Estun solidified its leadership position, with sales exceeding 20,000 units and capturing an 8.5% market share, ranking second overall.
- Inovance Technology ranked fourth with a 6.5% share.
- Effort surpassed 10,000 units in sales, entering the top 10 manufacturers.
- Product Strategies & Industry Trends: Estun focuses on six-axis robots, while Inovance excels in SCARA robots, though both are expanding into full product portfolios. A second tier of manufacturers, with annual sales nearing 5,000 units, creates a multi-layered competitive landscape. Supportive government policies are standardizing the industry, driving high-quality transformation, accelerating import substitution, and are expected to further increase market concentration.
3. Downstream: Enhanced Service Capabilities of System Integrators
Downstream system integrators are elevating their service responsiveness and customization capabilities through technological integration, resource synergy, and global deployment.
- Capability Enhancement:
- Tuopu Group leverages its automotive industry expertise to efficiently advance its robot actuator projects.
- Sanhua Intelligent Control has established subsidiaries and built R&D and production bases to strengthen its integrated solution capabilities.
- Demand for Customization: The application of advanced components like cup motors in high-precision scenarios (e.g., 12 units used in a single Tesla Optimus hand) is creating demand for more sophisticated and customized integration solutions.
- Value Chain Optimization: The enhanced capabilities of integrators are optimizing the entire value chain. Modular designs are improving supply chain responsiveness and flexibility while reducing costs, thereby fostering greater collaboration across the industry.
- Policy Support: Government initiatives, such as Shanghai’s “Quality Linkage and Improvement” program, provide a favorable environment for integrators. These policies enhance their quality control and supply chain collaboration capabilities, underpinning the high-quality development of the entire industrial chain.
Industrial Robot Industry Supply Chain Chart:
| Industrial Chain Segment | Core Content & Representatives |
| Upstream Core Components | Reducers: The “joints” of robots. Dominated by Japan’s Nabtesco and Harmonic Drive; domestic players like leaderdrive and Zhongda leader are making breakthroughs. Servo Systems: The “nerves and muscles” of robots. Led by Yaskawa and Panasonic; Inovance Technology is the domestic leader. Controllers: The “brain” of robots. Self-developed by the international “Big Four”; domestic companies like Estun Automation and Siasun have achieved self-development. |
| Midstream Robot Manufacturing | International Brand Dominance: Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, and Yaskawa (“Big Four”) dominate the high-end market. Domestic Brands Catching Up: Estun Automation and Siasun Robot represent the first tier. In collaborative robots, AUBO Robotics and JAKA Robotics are globally leading. |
| Downstream System Integration & Application | System Integration: A highly fragmented market with numerous integrators focusing on specific processes (e.g., welding, painting). Industry Applications: Mainly applied in automotive manufacturing, 3C electronics, lithium battery/photovoltaics, and logistics warehousing, representing the final implementation of automation solutions. |
Data source: ShuoYuan Consulting
