China propels robots onto industrial frontlines with real-world applications
BEIJING (Sept 24): High above the ground, a boxy, wall-climbing robot clings securely to the towering steel exterior of a petrochemical storage tank. Navigating the dizzying heights with expert precision, it autonomously maps its route and systematically executes a seamless sequence of rust removal, inspection, and spraying. These “mechanical spidermen”, developed by a Tianjin-based robotics…
BEIJING (Sept 24): On the industrial frontlines of China, robots are transforming heavy industries by performing hazardous and repetitive tasks with precision. These "mechanical spidermen," developed by Tianjin-based robotics firm BingooRobot, cling to towering steel structures with expert navigation and execute tasks such as rust removal, inspection, and spraying autonomously.
Zhang Minglu, chairman of BingooRobot, notes that robots are crucial for addressing labor shortages in industries like shipbuilding and petroleum. Historically, robots were confined to entertainment and display roles, but in China, their real-world applications are gaining traction. Meng Yang, general manager of a robot innovation centre in Zhongguancun, Beijing, emphasizes that delegating high-risk and highly repetitive tasks to robots will allow humans to focus on more creative and value-driven work.
Across China's vast industrial landscape, quadruped robots in Tianjin inspect water quality in the Haihe River basin, while explosion-proof inspection robots equipped with infrared sensors and LiDAR patrol refining facilities in Xinjiang's desert. These robots, powered by large language models, understand voice commands and learn safety protocols rapidly.
From automotive welding to warehouse logistics, Chinese industrial robots are now applied in 253 sub-categories of the national economy. China's "Robot Plus" initiative encourages real-world technology iteration and application loop formation. China produced 538,000 industrial robots in the first half of 2026, a 28 per cent year-on-year increase, with robotics sector revenue reaching 165.5 billion yuan (about US$24.4 billion), up 24.5 per cent.
Chinese robots have expanded globally, with exports to 141 countries and regions valued at 6.29 billion yuan in the first half of 2026. Automation researcher Zhao Mingguo from Tsinghua University notes that the shift from standardization to scenario-based applications will empower domestic industries and fuel industrial transformation overseas.
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