The Rise of the Quadruped: understanding the Robot Dog Phenomenon

The robot dog market in China is experiencing explosive growth, driven by technological advancements and increasing demand across various sectors. These sophisticated four-legged robots, also known as quadrupedal robots, are rapidly transitioning from research labs to real-world applications, marking a notable step in their commercialization.

Key players in this burgeoning industry include companies like Construction Industry (002265.SZ), Jingpin Special Equipment (688084.SH), Zhongjian Technology (002779.SZ), Shenhao Technology (300853.SZ), Guangge Technology (688450.SH), Hanwang Technology (002362.SZ), and Jingye Intelligence (688290.SH), all contributing to the innovation and expansion of the robot dog market.

Explosive Sales Growth: From Niche to Notable

Sales figures for robot dogs in China have seen a dramatic surge in recent years. Data from GGII (a leading industry research firm) reveals an unusual increase from fewer than 2,000 units sold in 2019 to an impressive 18,000 units in 2023. this translates to a remarkable annual compound growth rate of 94.4%.

Market Size Soars: A Multi-Million Yuan Industry

The rapid increase in sales has naturally led to a significant expansion of the robot dog market’s financial value. In 2023, the market size reached 468 million yuan, representing a substantial 42.7% year-on-year increase. The compound annual growth rate from 2019 to 2023 was a staggering 59.7%. Preliminary estimates suggest that the market size continued to grow in 2024,reaching approximately 755 million yuan.

This growth is fueled by increasing demand in diverse sectors, including entertainment, education, and inspection. For example, in the entertainment sector, robot dogs are being used in interactive experiences and performances.In education, they serve as platforms for robotics and AI learning. The inspection sector utilizes them for remote monitoring and data collection in hazardous environments.

Applications Beyond the Lab: From Entertainment to Industrial Inspection

Robot dogs offer superior mobility compared to traditional wheeled or tracked robots, enabling them to navigate complex terrains such as stairs, gravel, and confined spaces. While initial research focused on military applications, advancements in materials, smart control systems, and navigation technologies have broadened their use to industrial settings.

These applications include:

• Offshore substations
• Drilling platforms
• Construction sites
• smart factories
• Emergency fire protection

Currently, the consumption/entertainment and inspection sectors represent the largest request markets for robot dogs, according to GGII data.

Yushu Technology Leads the Pack: Market Share and Competitive Landscape

Several companies are vying for dominance in China’s robot dog market. Currently,Yushu Technology,azure Intelligence,and cloud Deep Technology are considered the leading players. In 2023, Yushu Technology held the largest market share in terms of robot dog sales, capturing 66.46% of the market. Azure Intelligence followed with a 12.59% market share.

Looking at sales revenue, Yushu Technology also led in 2023 with a 42.74% market share, followed by Yunshen Technology at 18.09% and Azuo Intelligent at 9.53%.