Why isn't China exporting robots?

China's robotics industry is the fastest-growing in the world, closing the gap fast with Germany and Japan, the global leaders. China already enjoys dominant supply chain advantages in the hardware supply chain, and are catching up quickly in software.

Robotics companies in China offer robots at far lower prices than rivals in Europe or Japan. Chinese models typically cost less than a fourth of what comparable units do. Yet far fewer than 5% of Chinese robots are exported.

China's world-leading adoption rates for robot installations, along with massive official support to the industry, point to the reason: China's strategy is to lead the world in robotics manufacturing and deployment to improve efficiency and productivity exclusively in China's factories.

Resources and links:

Substack, for video transcript and direct links

Global robot population grows by 10% to exceed 4 million

China bets on robots for rapid growth, says IFR

Wall Street Journal, In America’s Factories, Even the Robots Are Getting Less Work

China’s Robots Are Coming of Age

The Diplomat, China’s Trickle-Down Supply Chain: From Intelligent Electric Vehicles to Robots

Chinese Manufacturers Use 12 Times More Robots Than U.S. Manufacturers When Controlling for Wages

IOT, Robot Installations Top 500,000 a Year; China Dominates

Robots as a new engine for growth

Closing scene, Fisherman's Wharf, Dalian, Liaoning

[itsme-ntyu]

Even if China wanted to export its robots to the US, it would be just one more "national security concern" issue for the US

[Wooster]

Because why would they help a country whose politicians irrationally treats them as the enemy?

[shiulai]

China is likely preparing for the future shrinkage of the working age population too.
Chinese plans are very long term

[tideypods]

this guy doesn't run out of video ideas to share with us

[jamesho]

My father was one of the pioneers in robotics at the time that he passed 25 years ago. He would been totally "blown away" by China's success in the industry. Once again China has the foresight and strategic thinking to expand their robotics industry.

[Berlinetta]

Hat off to China for going from strength to strength and sticking to their long-term strategies that are paying off in spades. Here, in the US, we are picking between Harris and Trump!

[g.m.]

This is still the most important and educational channel in YouTube to understand what is happening now and in the coming future on subjects one overlooked one can see the pieces of a puzzle coming together 🤔👍

[tompell]

tales of two giants. China pursues dominance in manufacturing, while the US pursues military dominance.

[Rubicon]

It never ceases to amaze me how good Chinese policy makers are. Always think long term and with good implementation too.

[glenmcneill]

I feel the robot market here in China is primarily driven by companies wanting to simply increase efficiency. I’ve visited many solar panel factories and each one is fully automated.

[andressierra]

Thank you for your very insightful videos! Your channel is amazing !
I just came back from my third business trip to China. I am the new leader of our family business, an electrical engineering OEM in Mexico. I feel inspired as the global south has new opportunities with China as a counterweight. Go bless you ! Keep feeding our imagination with useful information. A better world is possible !!

[ChapéuDeAlumíno]

I wish this channel released a video every hour

[matthewo]

The funny thing is I only started to learn about China once the US empire stated attacking them during the last US election. They don't want people to learn about China but they were the cause of my interest in China, and I talk about China with people I know because it's interesting.

[Bustingtuna]

I've always wondered why Chinese factories automate their factories when there are so many unemployed young graduates. I've even watched that youtube on Xiaomi car factory that is fully automated with not a single worker in the factory floor. Now I understand their strategy. They are so far ahead in their planning. Respect.

[Anders]

I have been thinking that China has a lot of domestic automation that's not exported. In this way they can achieve a significant lead in global manufacturing. One example of a huge difference is a video I watched showing manual labor manufacturing of iPhones in India today with workers sitting in a line which looked like something from the previous century and another video showing a fully automated Chinese smartphone factory.

[antwango]

A DJI Drone is practically an intelligent robot! It follows you around, it recognises you and it can keep its distance and altitude while avoiding obstacles! Have a look at the DJI Neo!!! Im just going to buy one so it can just follow me around while running!

If the Neo can outlast me on a 2 hour run even better!!!!

[danysl]

It is the culture of Chinese people coupled with diligent, competitive and tolerant make all the difference in workforce. It is unthinkable for businesses like Port Workers in US to demand no automation to replace certain jobs to improve productivity and for factory workers in India to demand guaranteed of job for future family members upon their deaths.

[jameswkyip]

This is the best channel in YouTube. Hope you can upload 2 videos a day. So insightful n straight to the point

[AIPretendingToBeHuman]

I predict that next year Kevin will be talking about how Huawei Robotics is challenging top Western Robotics companies who had a 30 year head start

[garysouza]

This is the beauty of an immense domestic market, right here. Volume, industrial policy, compete on price at first and add software value as you go to compete internationally, cross pollinate with similar industries.