Behind China's Ambition to Employ Millions of Robots in Factories

While the world is captivated by humanoid robots capable of running and boxing, a more significant revolution is unfolding in China. Across the country, more than two million robots are working in manufacturing plants. This figure is the largest in the world and continues to grow at an incredibly rapid pace.

“I take a nap and the world changes,” says Chen Tianyu. The 28-year-old keeps pace with the latest technological developments by spending his free time visiting factories transitioning to automation systems. In this way, he knows which skills to prioritise when teaching artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in his classroom.

Before him, about 30 students are learning programming. One of them types quickly while alternating glances between a computer screen and a robot. “The idea is, this robot will take that cylindrical component and move it there,” the student explains. Rows of industrial robots await programming. In another corner of the room, several students are developing robotics-based medical instruments.

“If you are not needed by the world of AI and robotics, then you will certainly be among those left behind,” says Chen.

For those in the room, this is a step, or more accurately a leap, towards the future that China is carefully constructing. Xi Jinping’s plan is estimated to be worth US$20 billion, with the aim of placing the country at the forefront of innovation and in direct competition with the United States.

The signs are everywhere. They are at the Hangzhou Institute of Technology, one of several massive vocational schools built specifically to produce a new generation of engineers mastering technology. The campus is located on the outskirts of Hangzhou, a former imperial capital that has now transformed into a tech hub aspiring to be a global centre of innovation.

China’s commitment is expected to transform the world, much like when the Chinese economy underwent its massive transformation. They are already exporting their robots globally; more than half of the world’s industrial robots are currently produced in China.

What remains less clear is the impact of such massive automation within the country at the heart of global manufacturing, trade, and innovation. What does this mean for the human workforce in China, for instance? And how can we truly measure the cost of this transformation in a regime that tightly controls information?

The future for Chinese workers is becoming uncertain amidst the industrial revolution witnessed by the world. From solar networks and quiet rush hours thanks to Chinese-made electric vehicles, to machines that run faster than Usain Bolt.

While recent spectacles like the World Humanoid Games showcase robots boxing and running, a quieter revolution is occurring inside factories and classrooms. Journalists have visited industrial sites where robots—which do not look human, dance, or jump—are welding, painting, lifting, and assembling, working around the clock without breaks or benefits. Some are even designed to build more robots.

This is an opportunity to witness what Xi calls China’s “new quality productive forces” and how these forces may reshape the nation. In the factory floors of Chengdu, old and new workforces work side-by-side. Approximately 30 middle-aged men and women are assembling, drilling, and polishing the flagship product of CRP Technology: a robotic arm capable of various industrial tasks.

Also in the room are four young engineers huddled around a console, attempting to crack the code for a prototype—a new robot they hope will assist in building other robots. Pang Kai, 31, is part of the research and development team. Currently, these robots can only perform simple repetitive movements, such as scanning QR codes.

“Perhaps in another six months, this tool will be able to perform other tasks,” Pang says with a somber smile. The journey is long, and his team celebrates every small victory. CRP Technology, which employs around 300 people, has been building robotic arms for nine years. Each arm can be customised to help build cars, electronics, or wind turbines. The company states that one arm can be programmed to perform over 90% of repetitive tasks.

Engineers also wonder if one day they might replace the company’s own workforce. “We want our new robots to be like humans. We hope it can think for itself,” says Pang. “We need this kind of robot because in the next 10 years, we may not have enough workers in China.”

Population decline and an ageing workforce are the primary reasons Beijing is rushing to revolutionise its factories. According to official estimates, by 2035, more than one-third of China’s population will be over the age of 60. The country is also expected to lose nearly 60 million people in the following decade.