[China Intelligent Manufacturing Network Market Analysis] Intelligent equipment is the core of high-end equipment, the forefront of manufacturing equipment and the foundation of the manufacturing industry, and has become the competitive target of today's advanced industrial countries. As high-end equipment, intelligent manufacturing equipment mainly includes new types of sensors, intelligent control systems, industrial robots, and complete sets of automated production lines.

The key development direction of the manufacturing industry and an important manifestation of the deep integration of informatization and industrialization, the development of the intelligent equipment industry is of great significance for accelerating the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry, improving production efficiency, technological level and product quality, reducing energy and resource consumption, and achieving intelligent and green development in the manufacturing process.

Industrial robots are the most representative equipment in intelligent manufacturing. Industrial robots refer to robots applied in production processes and environments. An industrial robot is a fixed or mobile machine that can be automatically controlled, reprogrammed, multi-purpose, and has three or more axes, and is applied in industrial automation.

According to the "Research Report on Market Prospects and Investment Opportunities of China's Industrial Robot Industry from 2018 to 2023" released by the China Commerce Industry Research Institute, since 2009, the global sales of industrial robots have been increasing year by year. Data shows that in 2017, the global sales of industrial robots reached 363,300 units. It increased by 17.7% compared with 308,700 units in 2016. With the gradual maturation of industrial robot technology and the continuous expansion of application scenarios, the global demand for industrial robots will continue to increase. It is estimated that the global sales of industrial robots will maintain a growth rate of 15% from 2018 to 2020, and the global sales of industrial robots will reach 396,900 units in 2018.

In terms of the sales volume of industrial robots in various regions around the world, the total sales volume of industrial robots in Asia reached 242,000 units in 2017, achieving explosive growth in sales. It is expected that the sales volume will exceed 350,000 units in 2020. In 2017, the sales volume of industrial robots in Europe was 64,000 units, an increase of 8.9% compared with 59,000 units in 2016. The sales volume of industrial robots in the Americas reached 50,000 units, representing a year-on-year growth of 17.1%.

Data shows that in 2017, the sales volume of industrial robots in China was 120,800 units, an increase of 32.2% compared with 91,400 units in 2016. With the increasing demand for industrial robots, it is estimated that China's sales of industrial robots will reach 147,000 units in 2018, accounting for 37% of the global sales of industrial robots.