Due to their compact size, light weight, high torque capacity, simple structure, space‑efficient installation, wide transmission ratio range, and high transmission accuracy, harmonic reducers are widely used in industrial automation sectors such as robotics, aerospace, defense, and machine tool equipment. With the rapid development of domestic industrial automation, demand for harmonic reducers in China has surged, maintaining a persistent supply shortage. The market outlook for harmonic reducers is analyzed as follows:

　　Global service robots will continue to maintain rapid growth.

　　The Robotics Industry Association forecasts that, from 2021 to 2023, the global service robotics market will continue to grow, with personal and household service robot sales expected to reach US$12.1 billion in 2023 and professional service robot sales to hit US$27.7 billion.

　　Service robot

　　The domestic robotics market has promising prospects.

　　1. The rapid development of emerging technologies is driving and empowering the robotics industry.

　　The world is undergoing a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, with countries worldwide prioritizing the development of advanced manufacturing and smart manufacturing. The integrated development of next-generation information technologies, next-generation communication technologies, artificial intelligence, and robotics is still in its early stages.

　　2. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

　　The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred enterprises to accelerate the adoption of robotics, driving a rapid surge in both the initiative and demand for automation, digitalization, and intelligent transformation.

　　3. Industrial Policy Support

　　The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has identified six key priorities—focusing on 5G and other new infrastructure projects, as well as the intelligent upgrading of manufacturing—while actively expanding effective investment, accelerating capital deployment in major manufacturing projects, and supporting enterprises in strengthening their transformation toward greater intelligence and service orientation.

　　2021 China Robot Market Forecast

　　1. Analysis of China’s Industrial Robotics Industry and Market

　　● The market is expected to maintain a steady growth trend, with year-on-year growth in the single digits, based on this year’s relatively high base.

　　● The domestic-brand market is expected to maintain steady growth, with year-on-year growth broadly in line with the overall growth rate.

　　● The industry is expected to continue performing well: With steady growth in both production and sales, the sector’s operating revenue is projected to remain positive in 2021.

　　2. Analysis of China’s Service Robot Industry and Market

　　● The market is expected to maintain a rapid growth trajectory.

　　● Product variety is expected to continue expanding, and application scenarios will become increasingly diverse.

　　● The industry is expected to continue performing strongly: In 2021, the sector’s operating revenue is projected to maintain robust growth of over 20%, while its profitability is set to keep improving.

　　Service robot

　　As harmonic reducers are one of the core components of robots, and with the support of national industrial policies and steadily rising market demand, the overall outlook for China’s robotics market continues to improve. Consequently, the prospects for the harmonic reducer market are promising, and the size of China’s harmonic reducer market is expected to maintain a sustained growth trajectory.