Shandong province is reshaping its robotics sector with a focus on practical, real-world applications rather than spectacle. As home to all 41 industrial categories, the province provides a solid foundation for robotics development, helping the industry move beyond the concept stage into the realm of large-scale application.

At the core of this transformation is technological independence. Alesmart Technology has developed GomROS, a domestically produced robot operating system, breaking the long-standing monopoly of the US-based ROS system. In Jining, ROKAE Robotics has achieved breakthroughs in force-control technology, enabling robots to perform delicate tasks such as polishing, assembly, and surgical assistance.

Jining-based ROKAE Robotics makes strides in robotic force-control technology. [Photo/Dazhong News]

The application scenarios are expanding rapidly. Wego Group's "Miaoshou" surgical robot has broken international monopolies in minimally invasive surgery. At Taishan Mountain, 500 climbing-assist robots and AI-powered cleaning dogs have improved operational efficiency by over 60 percent. Haier is developing household service robots that can identify food, operate washing machines, and even peel bananas. The country's first explosion-proof quadruped robot, "Xiaolu No 1", is now entering the market for hazardous environment operations.

A Haier-made robot demonstrates how to peel a banana. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Shandong's advanced smart factories now have a robot density of 764 units per 10,000 workers, significantly above the national average.

To further strengthen the ecosystem, a league for Shandong robotics and intelligent equipment industry was established in July, bringing together over 100 enterprises across the province to foster collaboration and resource sharing. The industry has currently formed four major hubs in Jinan, Qingdao, Zibo, and Jining, solidifying Shandong's position as a rising force in China's robotics landscape.