Industrial robots have become indispensable high-end pieces of equipment in the transformation and upgrading of manufacturing industry. In the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), the need for industrial robots in the country is estimated to have increased by 15 to 20 percent each year. Currently, Qingdao has more than 20 industrial robot companies, forming superior products like annular tread vulcanizing renovation machines, injection molding manipulators, full hydraulic overloading robots, forging manipulators and packaging robots.

In recent years, Qingdao’s industrial robot industry has broken into the rubber and household appliance sector, cultivating leading companies like Kejie Automation and Haier Robot, and offset the foundations for the industrial robot field. Several companies have cooperated with Japanese corporations to import advanced technology from abroad and enhance their products’ competition. Huadong Machinery, Hangyuan Industrial Technology, Yufang Automation, Sawote Automation and Chuangxiang Robot have designed and produced industrial robots which are being used in automobile manufacturing, material, electronics, food and daily chemical industries.