RV Reducer Race: First Half Won, Second Half Is About Strength

At a recent media interview, Zhang Yueming, chief scientist of Beijing Zhitong Precision Transmission and professor at Beijing University of Technology, delivered a key insight: the 'first half' of domestic substitution for core components in China's industrial robot industry has effectively concluded. In small and medium load fields, RV reducers—the representative component—have largely achieved localization. However, in heavy-load high-end scenarios such as automotive manufacturing, foreign brands still command a dominant 80%-90% market share. The competition entering the 'second half' will pivot from a question of 'existence' to one of 'excellence', with the ultimate outcome hinging on domestic firms' ability to define their own technological routes.

The latest statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology underscore the scale of this market: from January to May 2026, revenue of China's robot enterprises above designated size surpassed 90 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 26.9%, and China has retained its position as the world's largest industrial robot market for 13 consecutive years. RV reducers, often termed the 'joints' of industrial robots, account for 30% to 35% of the entire machine cost. Their performance directly dictates the precision and service life of the robot, making them a critical determinant of a robot's overall quality and competitiveness.

Zhang pointed out that the industry has long been split between two developmental paths: 'reverse mapping' (imitating foreign designs) and 'forward development' (original R&D). Reverse mapping, once common among Chinese firms, often leads to a technological ceiling because core design parameters and manufacturing know-how remain opaque. Zhitong deliberately chose the latter. Over the past decade, the company has engaged in deep industry-academia collaboration with Beijing University of Technology, pursuing full-chain forward development—from gear tooth theory and modification models to underlying manufacturing processes. This approach has yielded significant results: Zhitong's products now match international majors like Nabtesco in core indices such as transmission precision, backlash, and transmission error, and have commenced batch exports to European markets.

Perhaps more significantly, Zhitong is currently developing a gear transmission joint module that holds completely independent intellectual property. Zhang emphasized that this initiative transcends the conventional 'import substitution' narrative, aiming instead to establish an entirely new product category with no precedent overseas. This represents a strategic shift from catching up to leading, allowing Chinese companies to set the agenda in robotic actuation and control.

Analysts believe that as domestic industrial robots surpass 50% of the national market share, core component makers are under increasing pressure to validate their products under heavy-load conditions and push the boundaries of fundamental theory. The goal is to evolve from merely 'usable' to truly 'leading'. On the policy front, there is a need to guide OEMs in constructing a secure and stable domestic supply chain ecosystem, which would not only reduce dependency on foreign components but also foster innovation across the sector. This transformation is essential for China's robotics industry to achieve global leadership. (For more in-depth coverage of the humanoid robot track, follow the WeChat public account 'Humanoid Lecture Hall'.)