Theory of robotic mind: How China is building ‘brains and nerves’ for its own robots

Geopolitics and supply chain shocks are accelerating China’s push for homegrown robotics controllers and software, challenging the dominance of Western and Japanese giants.

The recent news that Japanese automation giant Omron is considering a spin-off of its Device & Module Solutions business sent ripples through the industry.

This division, responsible for the crucial “nervous system” of factories – sensors, relays, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) – is a cornerstone of global industrial automation. (Read our article: How do robots work? Sensors, controllers, actuators and software explained.)

Its potential separation is more than a corporate reshuffle; it’s a symptom of a deeper tectonic shift. And at the epicenter of this shift is China.

For decades, China’s manufacturing ascent was powered by imported machinery, often running on a “brain and nervous system” from giants like Siemens, Rockwell Automation, and Fanuc. The robotic arms (the “muscles”) might be assembled in China, but their intelligence and control were foreign.

That era is ending. Driven by national strategy and hardened by supply chain disruptions like the global chip shortage, China is now racing to indigenize the very core of industrial automation: the controllers and software that act as the robot’s brain, and the components that form its nervous system.

This isn’t a niche project. As the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) consistently reports, China has been the world’s largest buyer of industrial robots for nearly a decade, accounting for over 50 percent of global installations.

This massive market dependency created a critical vulnerability. The push for technological sovereignty, therefore, is a multi-billion-dollar imperative that is reshaping the global competitive landscape and creating a new generation of domestic champions.

The stakes: A market too big to rely on others

The global industrial robotics market is projected to exceed $100 billion by 2028. Within this, the value of the control systems, software, and key components that make them work represents a high-margin, critical segment.

China’s “Made in China 2025” policy explicitly targets dominance in high-tech fields, and advanced robotics is at the top of the list.

The “why now” is twofold. First, geopolitics has made reliance on Western and Japanese technology a strategic risk. Trade tensions and export controls have highlighted the danger of being cut off from critical software updates or hardware components.

Second, and more immediately, the global chip shortage exposed a raw nerve. Chinese manufacturers faced extended lead times and soaring costs for the semiconductors embedded in every advanced robot controller.

This wasn’t just an inconvenience; it was a direct threat to production capacity. Building a domestic supply chain for these “brains and nerves” has transitioned from a strategic goal to a matter of business continuity, especially for the small and medium-sized enterprises that form the backbone of China’s export economy.

The incumbents: Who controls the market for robotic minds today?

The current landscape is dominated by a handful of global titans who set the industry standards for reliability and performance. These companies provide the integrated platforms that run the world’s most advanced factories.

Here are 10 key global players in robotics “brains and nervous systems”:

1. Siemens (Germany): The undisputed leader in PLCs with its SIMATIC series, combined with the powerful TIA Portal engineering software and digital twin capabilities.
2. Rockwell Automation (USA): A cornerstone of American manufacturing, known for its Allen-Bradley PLCs and the integrated FactoryTalk software suite.
3. ABB (Switzerland/Sweden): Its OmniCore controller is renowned for its motion control precision, forming the brain for its extensive range of robots.
4. Fanuc (Japan): Famous for its rugged, proprietary controllers (like the R-30iB Plus) and its evolving FIELD software platform for factory-wide data.
5. Yaskawa (Japan): Another Japanese powerhouse, with controllers like the DX200 that are integral to its Motoman robots.
6. Mitsubishi Electric (Japan): Offers a complete factory automation suite, from MELFA robot controllers to a vast range of components.
7. Schneider Electric (France): A major force with its Modicon PLCs and the EcoStruxure platform for IoT-enabled automation.
8. Beckhoff (Germany): A pioneer in PC-based control technology, with its TwinCAT software turning standard computers into powerful PLCs.
9. Omron (Japan): The company in the news; its NJ-series machine controllers and Sysmac platform are critical, while its DMS business supplies the essential sensors and switches.
10. Keyence (Japan): Dominates the sensory side with its extensive range of sensors and machine vision systems, which are the “eyes” for robotic guidance.

The potential spin-off of a segment like Omron’s DMS business indicates the dynamic nature of this market, creating openings for ambitious challengers.

The challengers: China’s homegrown ecosystem rises

In response, a vibrant ecosystem of Chinese companies is emerging, nurtured by government support and voracious domestic demand. They are no longer just copying; they are innovating, particularly in software usability and cost-effectiveness.

Here are 10 key Chinese players challenging the status quo:

1. Estun Automation: A leading robot arm manufacturer that has developed its own Cloria controller, moving up the value chain.
2. Inovance Technology: A major success story, initially dominant in servos and drives (the “nerves” of motion control), now aggressively expanding into high-end PLCs and robot controllers.
3. Siasun Robot & Automation: As one of China’s oldest and largest robot companies, it has developed control systems for its entire product range, from industrial to collaborative robots.
4. Hikrobot: Leveraging the vision technology of its parent company Hikvision, it has become a leader in Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and their fleet management software.
5. Mech-Mind Robotics (MIR): A pure-play “brain” company focused on AI-powered 3D vision and motion planning software that can be integrated with robots from various manufacturers.
6. Elite Robot: A top collaborative robot maker whose key differentiator is its simple, intuitive software interface, built around its own integrated controller.
7. Jaka Robot: Similar to Elite, Jaka emphasizes ease-of-use with its own control software, making automation accessible to SMEs.
8. STEP Electric: A well-established player in motion control and stepper systems, now advancing into more sophisticated integrated control solutions.
9. Googol Technology: A specialist in high-performance motion controllers, often used in academic and high-precision applications.
10. Sunward Automation: A representative of the component-level challenge, producing PLCs and HMIs that compete directly with entry-level offerings from international brands.

For these challengers, the chip shortage is a double-edged sword: a major obstacle but also their primary reason for being. It forces them to innovate in design for alternative components and strengthens the argument for a fully domestic supply chain.

The next battlefield is in the code and the silicon

The race for robotics supremacy is no longer just about who sells the most arms. The decisive battle will be over who controls the intelligence that brings them to life. The value is shifting upstream, from hardware to software and the core semiconductors that power them.

For investors, this signals a critical area for growth. The companies that succeed in creating viable Chinese alternatives for the domestic market – which is large enough to foster giants on its own—represent significant potential. Watch for partnerships between Chinese robot makers and domestic chip foundries like SMIC.

For engineers, the toolbox is expanding. While global platforms will remain the gold standard for complex, high-reliability applications for the foreseeable future, capable Chinese alternatives are now a reality for a wide range of tasks, offering compelling cost advantages. The key challenge will be interoperability and long-term support.

The next decade will define the architecture of the automated factory. It will be a contest between the deeply integrated, global platforms of established incumbents and the agile, often software-centric solutions from Chinese challengers. The outcome will determine the neural network of global manufacturing for a generation.