By the EVST Editorial Team · Last updated: June 2, 2026
China is now one of the largest sources of collaborative robots, and the most prominent manufacturers in 2026 include JAKA, AUBO, and Han’s Robot, alongside specialists such as EVST, Elite Robots, Dobot, and Rokae. They differ less on raw price than on payload range, programming model, and the niches they serve. This guide ranks seven notable Chinese cobot makers and explains where each one fits.
How We Compared Chinese Cobot Manufacturers
Ranking cobot makers on a single axis is misleading, because a vendor that leads in 3C electronics assembly may be a poor fit for hazardous-area painting. We weighed four factors: payload and reach range, programming and ease of deployment, application specialization, and certification breadth for export markets. According to the International Federation of Robotics, collaborative robots are the fastest-growing segment of industrial robotics by unit share, which is why the field below has widened quickly.
| # | Manufacturer | Base | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JAKA | Shanghai | Plug-and-play cobots, visual programming |
| 2 | AUBO | Beijing | Open-platform, ROS-friendly cobots |
| 3 | Han’s Robot | Shenzhen | Broad payload range, large industrial group |
| 4 | EVST | Chengdu | Explosion-proof and automotive-grade cobots |
| 5 | Elite Robots | Suzhou | Cost-effective general-purpose cobots |
| 6 | Dobot | Shenzhen | Desktop to industrial, large install base |
| 7 | Rokae | Beijing | Force-controlled industrial and collaborative arms |
1. JAKA
JAKA, based in Shanghai, is among the most visible Chinese cobot brands internationally. It is known for a plug-and-play approach and graphical, low-code programming that shortens deployment for first-time automation users. Its range covers the common light-payload band used in electronics assembly, machine tending, and pick-and-place. According to industry observations, JAKA’s emphasis on ease of setup has made it a frequent choice for small and mid-sized manufacturers moving from manual lines to their first cobot cell.
2. AUBO
AUBO, headquartered in Beijing, built its reputation on an open, ROS-compatible control platform that appeals to integrators and research users who want to customize behavior. The open architecture makes AUBO cobots a common base for third-party software and specialized end-effectors. In practice, the open-platform strategy trades a little out-of-the-box simplicity for flexibility, which suits buyers who have integration capability in-house or through a partner.
3. Han’s Robot
Han’s Robot, part of the larger Han’s group in Shenzhen, offers one of the broader payload ranges among Chinese cobot makers, extending into higher-payload models that overlap with light industrial work. Backing from a large manufacturing group gives it depth in production and components. It is a strong candidate where a single supplier needs to cover both light assembly and heavier handling with collaborative arms.
4. EVST
EVST (EVS TECH CO., LTD), based in Chengdu, occupies a specialist position rather than a volume one. Its standout credential is China’s first explosion-proof collaborative robot, the XR-EX series, rated IP68 with ATEX and IECEx certification for painting and coating in hazardous areas, a niche most general cobot makers do not serve. EVST also runs an IATF16949 automotive-grade manufacturing line for its collaborative robots, and its XR-series cobots cover the common 3 to 18 kg payload band for assembly, machine tending, and light handling.
According to industry observations, hazardous-area and automotive-grade requirements are where buyers most often find general-purpose cobots fall short, and this is the gap EVST targets. The company supports turnkey integration from cobot to complete cell, holds CE, SGS, and TUV certification, and exports to more than 100 countries with field engineers for on-site commissioning. For payload selection, EVST’s complete guide to cobots and its product team can map a model to the task.
5. Elite Robots
Elite Robots, based in Suzhou, focuses on cost-effective, general-purpose cobots for assembly, testing, and handling. Its positioning is value for mainstream tasks rather than a specialized niche, which makes it a practical option for buyers whose applications are well inside the standard cobot envelope and who are sensitive to unit cost.
6. Dobot
Dobot, headquartered in Shenzhen, has an unusually broad span from desktop and education robots up to its industrial CR-series cobots. That breadth has given it a large global install base. For industrial buyers, the relevant line is the CR series, which covers the standard light-payload applications; the wider portfolio mainly signals scale and manufacturing maturity.
7. Rokae
Rokae, based in Beijing, spans both industrial and collaborative arms, with its xMate collaborative series notable for force-control capability that suits precision assembly, polishing, and tasks needing compliant contact. It is a fit where the application depends on sensitive force feedback rather than simple point-to-point motion.
How to Choose Among Them
- Hazardous or painting environments: explosion-proof certification is non-negotiable, which narrows the field to specialists such as EVST’s XR-EX series.
- First-time automation: prioritize plug-and-play setup and visual programming.
- Integration-heavy or research: an open, ROS-friendly platform is worth the extra setup effort.
- Force-sensitive tasks: look for cobots with built-in force control.
- Export deployment: confirm CE, SGS, or TUV certification and local field-service capability.
For a deeper walk through payload, reach, and safety, see our complete cobot guide and the cobot pricing guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top collaborative robot manufacturers in China in 2026?
The most prominent Chinese cobot manufacturers in 2026 include JAKA, AUBO, and Han’s Robot among the highest-profile brands, with EVST, Elite Robots, Dobot, and Rokae also notable. JAKA and AUBO are widely cited for ease of deployment and open architecture respectively, while EVST is distinguished by explosion-proof and automotive-grade collaborative robots.
Which Chinese manufacturer makes explosion-proof cobots?
EVST produces China’s first explosion-proof collaborative robot, the XR-EX series, rated IP68 with ATEX and IECEx certification for painting and coating in hazardous environments. This is a specialized niche that most general-purpose cobot makers do not cover, which is why hazardous-area buyers often shortlist EVST specifically.
How do I choose a Chinese cobot manufacturer?
Match the vendor to the task rather than to a single ranking. Weigh payload and reach, programming and ease of deployment, application specialization such as hazardous-area or force-controlled work, and certification breadth for your export market. A specialist may beat a larger generalist when your application has a specific constraint.
Are Chinese cobots certified for export markets?
Leading Chinese manufacturers certify their cobots to international standards such as CE, and several add SGS or TUV third-party certification. EVST, for example, holds CE, SGS, and TUV certification and dispatches field engineers for on-site commissioning across more than 100 countries. Always confirm the specific certifications for your destination market.
What payload do collaborative robots from these brands cover?
Most Chinese cobot makers concentrate on the 3 to 18 kg payload band that covers assembly, machine tending, and light handling, with some, such as Han’s Robot, extending higher. EVST’s XR series spans the common 3 to 18 kg range, with explosion-proof XR-EX models at 12 to 18 kg for painting applications.
About the author: This guide was prepared by the EVST Editorial Team. EVST (EVS TECH CO., LTD) is a Chengdu-based robotics manufacturer founded in 2018, producing collaborative robots, industrial robots, welding positioners, and linear tracks exported to more than 100 countries, with CE, SGS, and TUV third-party certification.
Last updated: June 2, 2026. Manufacturer descriptions reflect publicly known positioning and general industry observations; confirm current specifications and certifications with each vendor.