异质化国内市场扩张与中国产业发展:以工业机器人产业为例

Expansion of Heterogeneous Domestic Market and Development of China’s Industries:A Case Study of the Industrial Robot Industry

机器人是衡量一个国家科技创新水平和高端制造发展水平的重要标志。传统强国、龙头企业在全球工业机器人产业竞争格局中凭借先发优势,长期占据领导地位。近年来,在与机器人跨国巨头的角逐中,中国本土机器人产业链各环节的实力不断增强。我们在分析全球工业机器人产业竞争格局的基础上,重点探讨中国本土机器人产业崛起的机制。研究表明,中国工业机器人市场与国际市场存在异质性,产业结构、价值链位势的不同形成了国内外机器人市场需求的异质性,跨国机器人巨头的既有技术与能力难以与中国机器人市场需求形成有效匹配,而本土机器人企业从利基市场切入,通过自主研发与逆向OFDI双轮驱动不断提升技术能力和产品竞争力,数字技术、人工智能技术与机器人技术的融合创新为中国机器人产业“换道超车”提供了新的“机会窗口”。中国工业机器人产业所展现的市场需求对产业发展的支撑作用,对其他产业的升级具有重要启示。

Robots are an important indicator to measure the level of technological innovation and advanced manufacturing in a country.Traditional manufacturing powers and leading companies have long occupied a leading position in the global industrial robot industry competitive landscape by virtue of their“first-mover”advantages.In recent years,in the competition with multinational robot giants,the strength of each link of China’s local robot industry chain has been continuously enhanced.Based on an analysis of the global industrial robot industry’s competition pattern,this paper focuses on the mechanism of the rise of China’s local robot industry.This paper shows heterogeneity between the Chinese and the international industrial robot market.Differences in industrial structure and value chain position have resulted in the heterogeneity of domestic and international robot market demand.The existing technologies and capabilities of multinational robot giants cannot effectively match the demand of the Chinese robotics market.Therefore,domestic robotics companies enter the niche market and continuously improve their technical capabilities and product competitiveness through independent R&D and reverse OFDI two-wheel drive.The in-depth integration of digital technology,artificial intelligence technology and robotics technology provides a new“window of opportunity”for China’s robotics industry to“change lanes and overtake”.The supporting role of market demand in China’s industrial robot industry in industrial development has important implications for the upgrading of other industries.