Shenzhen developing into high-tech hub
Nation's first SEZ, set up 45 years ago, provides robotics, AI vision firms with fundamental R&D investment resources
From precision components to end-user applications, Shenzhen now boasts a complete robotics industry chain.
In 2024, the city was home to 74,032 robotics enterprises, with the sector's total output value surpassing 200 billion yuan for the first time, official data showed.
In terms of the embodied intelligent robotics sector, the city aims to expand related industries to over 100 billion yuan in scale, and foster more than 1,200 enterprises in the embodied robotics cluster, according to its action plan for embodied intelligent robotics (2025-27).
However, Shenzhen is not stopping there. Innovation is reshaping not only tech products, but also the ecosystem of services surrounding them.
On July 28, the world's first "6S store" for robots opened in Shenzhen's Longgang district. Expanding on the traditional "4S store" model in the automotive sector, the new format incorporates "lease" and "customized" modules to create a six-in-one lifecycle service system — sales, spare parts, service, surveys, lease and customized — aiming to redefine service standards for the robotics industry.
"The 6S store breaks down the 'glass wall' between R&D and market application. It helps companies understand what the market demands and helps users see what technology can deliver. Ultimately, this pushes robots from being laboratory products to becoming everyday essentials," said Zhao Bingbing, head of Longgang's artificial intelligence (robotics) administration.
As the country's first government agency dedicated to AI, the administration represents an innovative combination of government agencies, research institutions and industry associations, Zhao said, adding that it was first established to advance the AI and robotics sectors while also meeting the evolving need of enterprises.
"Many companies come to us seeking funding or supportive policies, but don't know which department to approach. Our role is to bridge industry needs with government resources, addressing their challenges directly," the official explained.
