Welding robots are becoming a focal point for capital markets, as rapid technological advancements—particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and sensor technologies—have laid a solid foundation for their application. Although market penetration is still far from saturation, especially in the steel structure industry, where intelligent transformation remains a challenge, the future demand for welding robots is expected to surge with the widespread adoption of teachless intelligent welding robots. The accumulation of expertise in intelligent systems and integration will be key for companies to stand out in this "blue ocean" market. The welding robot industry has immense application potential not only in traditional steel structure and automotive manufacturing but will also bring profound changes to industries such as metalworking and heavy machinery. For companies with a technological edge, the future promises substantial market rewards.
In recent years, the robotics industry has emerged as a hot sector in capital markets, attracting the attention of investors. The underlying reason for this surge lies in the rapid technological advancements, especially the breakthroughs in AI, which have endowed robots with unprecedented intelligence. Additionally, sensor technologies—particularly the progress in miniaturization—have provided a strong foundation for the widespread application of robotics.
Among the various fields of robotics, welding robots are increasingly becoming the focal point. Simply put, a welding robot is a highly automated device that integrates robotics technology, artificial intelligence, machine vision, automation control, and software design. Currently, this remains a "blue ocean" market, attracting numerous enterprises vying for a share. For instance, Maggmet has launched its intelligent digital welding machine, which has become a key component of industrial welding robot systems, while Estun has introduced a teachless intelligent welding system based on visual recognition.
However, despite the promising market outlook, is the welding robot industry truly as promising as investors expect? Will this market eventually turn into a competitive "red ocean"? Let's analyze it from several perspectives.
The core function of welding robots is, of course, welding, and the primary demand for welding comes from the steel structure industry. According to statistics, China’s annual steel welding volume is approximately 300 million tons, accounting for over 50% of the global total. The shortage of welders also creates demand for welding robots. It is estimated that by next year, China will face a shortage of about 400,000 skilled welders, and the high labor costs are accelerating the adoption of automated welding equipment.
In recent years, the sales of welding robots have been increasing annually, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 10% over the past five years. The sales have already surpassed 50,000 units, with arc welding robots taking the largest market share at approximately 62%. Currently, the automotive industry, particularly standardized and mass production in car manufacturing, has become the largest downstream market for welding robots, with penetration nearing saturation.
Although the welding demand in the steel structure industry is substantial, the customization of products in this field means that welding robots have not yet fully achieved intelligent transformation, resulting in relatively low penetration. However, with the gradual promotion of teachless intelligent welding robots, the demand for welding robots in the steel structure industry is expected to reach 500,000 units by 2035, with a market space exceeding 50 billion RMB.
In the future, the large-scale application of welding robots, especially in non-standardized fields, will be heavily reliant on intelligence. Currently, the robot body and vision tracking system are the most costly components.
The companies that possess full-stack capabilities in hardware and software development, as well as system integration, will have a competitive edge. For example, a robot may scan and identify parts to be welded, optimize the welding path using algorithms, and finally complete the welding task autonomously. Achieving this requires the establishment of a powerful workpiece recognition model and a comprehensive process database to achieve dynamic parametric control of the welding process. To accomplish this, technological innovation and coordinated efforts across various stages will be essential.
With ongoing technological advancements, traditional industries such as metalworking and heavy machinery are gradually entering the intelligent welding market. The future of welding robots depends on breakthroughs in sensor technology, control systems, and software innovations. In particular, the development of welding models and the application of 3D vision technology will become the core barriers to industry development.
The companies that gain a head start in these critical areas will have the opportunity to lead the industry and dominate the market.
Welding robots are becoming a focal point for capital markets, as rapid technological advancements—particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and sensor technologies—have laid a solid foundation for their application. Although market penetration is still far from saturation, especially in the steel structure industry, where intelligent transformation remains a challenge, the future demand for welding robots is expected to surge with the widespread adoption of teachless intelligent welding robots. The accumulation of expertise in intelligent systems and integration will be key for companies to stand out in this "blue ocean" market. The welding robot industry has immense application potential not only in traditional steel structure and automotive manufacturing but will also bring profound changes to industries such as metalworking and heavy machinery. For companies with a technological edge, the future promises substantial market rewards.
In recent years, the robotics industry has emerged as a hot sector in capital markets, attracting the attention of investors. The underlying reason for this surge lies in the rapid technological advancements, especially the breakthroughs in AI, which have endowed robots with unprecedented intelligence. Additionally, sensor technologies—particularly the progress in miniaturization—have provided a strong foundation for the widespread application of robotics.
Among the various fields of robotics, welding robots are increasingly becoming the focal point. Simply put, a welding robot is a highly automated device that integrates robotics technology, artificial intelligence, machine vision, automation control, and software design. Currently, this remains a "blue ocean" market, attracting numerous enterprises vying for a share. For instance, Maggmet has launched its intelligent digital welding machine, which has become a key component of industrial welding robot systems, while Estun has introduced a teachless intelligent welding system based on visual recognition.
However, despite the promising market outlook, is the welding robot industry truly as promising as investors expect? Will this market eventually turn into a competitive "red ocean"? Let's analyze it from several perspectives.
The core function of welding robots is, of course, welding, and the primary demand for welding comes from the steel structure industry. According to statistics, China’s annual steel welding volume is approximately 300 million tons, accounting for over 50% of the global total. The shortage of welders also creates demand for welding robots. It is estimated that by next year, China will face a shortage of about 400,000 skilled welders, and the high labor costs are accelerating the adoption of automated welding equipment.
In recent years, the sales of welding robots have been increasing annually, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 10% over the past five years. The sales have already surpassed 50,000 units, with arc welding robots taking the largest market share at approximately 62%. Currently, the automotive industry, particularly standardized and mass production in car manufacturing, has become the largest downstream market for welding robots, with penetration nearing saturation.
Although the welding demand in the steel structure industry is substantial, the customization of products in this field means that welding robots have not yet fully achieved intelligent transformation, resulting in relatively low penetration. However, with the gradual promotion of teachless intelligent welding robots, the demand for welding robots in the steel structure industry is expected to reach 500,000 units by 2035, with a market space exceeding 50 billion RMB.
In the future, the large-scale application of welding robots, especially in non-standardized fields, will be heavily reliant on intelligence. Currently, the robot body and vision tracking system are the most costly components.
The companies that possess full-stack capabilities in hardware and software development, as well as system integration, will have a competitive edge. For example, a robot may scan and identify parts to be welded, optimize the welding path using algorithms, and finally complete the welding task autonomously. Achieving this requires the establishment of a powerful workpiece recognition model and a comprehensive process database to achieve dynamic parametric control of the welding process. To accomplish this, technological innovation and coordinated efforts across various stages will be essential.
With ongoing technological advancements, traditional industries such as metalworking and heavy machinery are gradually entering the intelligent welding market. The future of welding robots depends on breakthroughs in sensor technology, control systems, and software innovations. In particular, the development of welding models and the application of 3D vision technology will become the core barriers to industry development.
The companies that gain a head start in these critical areas will have the opportunity to lead the industry and dominate the market.
