China's robotics sector demonstrated notable export growth in the first half of 2026, driven by continuous technical iteration and competitive pricing in international markets.

Data from the General Administration of Customs shows that industrial robot exports reached 6.29 billion yuan ($930 million) in the first half of the year, representing an 18.6% year-on-year increase, with products shipped to 141 countries and regions. The growth is based on the 2025 shift when China became a net exporter of industrial robots for the first time, with exports outpacing imports.

A key trend driving this momentum is that Chinese firms are shifting from exporting standalone hardware to offering integrated automation solutions.

Over decades of domestic deployment, Chinese robotic systems have been integrated into over 70 major industrial sectors, building a deep operational database.

"Going global is no longer just about selling equipment; the core is exporting matching automation services," Zhang Peng, vice-president of Guangdong Topstar Technology Co. told CMG. Zhang said that overseas revenue now constitutes 20 to 30% of the company's total.

According to Bi Yalei, secretary-general of the Shenzhen Robotics Association, the global drive toward manufacturing automation has increased international demand for Chinese products, while advancements in artificial intelligence and embodied intelligence are unlocking new application scenarios.

The export surge has also extended to advanced medical and consumer robotics.

Surgical robotics exports grew over three-fold, reaching 480 million yuan in the first half of the year. Combined exports of domestic cleaning robots and bionic robotics totaled 18.09 billion yuan.

As global manufacturers seek to upgrade their production lines, China's robotics industry is positioning itself as a key supplier of both specialized industrial machinery and consumer-oriented bionic systems.