Shandong's robotics industry soars

The "Xingzhe Taishan", a humanoid robot from Shandong that recently completed the E-town Half Marathon in Beijing, took center stage at the Qianfo Mountain scenic area in Jinan on May 1. Performing alongside an actor portraying a historic general, the robot's appearance created a striking fusion of technology and tradition.

The "Xingzhe Taishan" humanoid robot performs alongside an actor playing a historic general at the Qianfo Mountain scenic area in Jinan. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Shandong is cultivating four major robotics hubs in Jinan, Qingdao, Zibo, and Jining, along with embodied intelligence training facilities, fostering a thriving industrial ecosystem. In 2025, the province's robotics industry generated 32 billion yuan ($4.44 billion) in revenue, a 23 percent increase from the previous year – underscoring its role as a driver of technological innovation.

The province has adopted a "four-chain" approach, combining talent, education, industry, and innovation chains, to accelerate high-quality development. Efforts include mapping the industry landscape across various robot types and core components, issuing a 2025–2027 action plan, and hosting the inaugural robot conference in April 2025, which saw agreements signed for 32 projects.

A Shandong-made robot rushes to the finishing line in the Beijing E-town Half Marathon. [Photo/Qilu Evening News]

Talent remains an important factor. By 2025, Shandong had attracted 51 leading experts at or above the provincial level and trained 215 master's and doctoral students in robotics. With strong policy support, the province is accelerating the application of robots across manufacturing, agriculture, and culture, positioning itself at the forefront of China's robot revolution.

（chinadaily.com.cn）