December 19, 2025
Chinese Vendors: What You Need
to Know Before Buying Robots
Foshan, China
We recently completed a business trip to China, where our task was to inspect and approve robots for one of our automation projects.
Below are practical insights and key points to keep in mind when working with Chinese vendors.
Ivan Pilyugin
Director of Innovation, Displine
Chinese specialists give the impression of being open and diligent, but communication can sometimes be challenging. English has not yet become a standard working language, and often a translator or intermediary is necessary.
At the same time, we noticed an interesting aspect: high competition in the labor market and population density force companies to select only the strongest specialists. In China, there is practically no shortage of talent — if an employee does not meet the requirements or a more qualified candidate appears, they are replaced without hesitation. This environment sets high standards and fosters expertise, which ultimately reflects on the quality of the products.
However, there is another side. The contrast between wealth and poverty is noticeable even at the city level: next to ultra-modern business districts, modest neighborhoods and dense residential areas are common. People often live simply, yet work in large, high-tech companies. This creates a unique production culture — a combination of advanced technologies with a practical, sometimes minimalist approach. As a result, many factories and developers focus primarily on product functionality, ensuring that it works and fulfills its purpose. Flawless execution is not always the top priority, which can affect the durability of products, assembly details, and software quality.
At the same time, we noticed an interesting aspect: high competition in the labor market and population density force companies to select only the strongest specialists. In China, there is practically no shortage of talent — if an employee does not meet the requirements or a more qualified candidate appears, they are replaced without hesitation. This environment sets high standards and fosters expertise, which ultimately reflects on the quality of the products.
However, there is another side. The contrast between wealth and poverty is noticeable even at the city level: next to ultra-modern business districts, modest neighborhoods and dense residential areas are common. People often live simply, yet work in large, high-tech companies. This creates a unique production culture — a combination of advanced technologies with a practical, sometimes minimalist approach. As a result, many factories and developers focus primarily on product functionality, ensuring that it works and fulfills its purpose. Flawless execution is not always the top priority, which can affect the durability of products, assembly details, and software quality.
A distinctive feature of Chinese suppliers is their narrow specialization, which is not always suitable for comprehensive warehouse and production automation. In most cases, additional modifications are required to ensure the system fully meets the specific needs of the client.
For many manufacturers, a robot is primarily a tool for moving goods from point A to point B. When it comes to more complex logistics, branching routes, and dynamic scenarios, challenges arise. Vendors most often suggest scaling the system by increasing the number of robots, which can actually reduce overall efficiency and throughput.
As a result, the client often has to develop scenarios and fine-tune processes independently. Without a deep understanding of warehouse logic and expert support, achieving optimal results can be difficult.
As a result, the client often has to develop scenarios and fine-tune processes independently. Without a deep understanding of warehouse logic and expert support, achieving optimal results can be difficult.
Another characteristic of Chinese vendors is the limited openness of their software. Not all companies provide an SDK, which significantly restricts the possibilities for integrating robots with external systems.
As a result, coordinating the operation of different types of robots in a facility—whether forklifts, stackers, pilot robots, or 3D shuttles—becomes more challenging.
During our market analysis, we found a manufacturer willing to share documentation, but its scope was limited. Many of the finer details had to be clarified and worked out directly on-site during equipment testing.
As a result, coordinating the operation of different types of robots in a facility—whether forklifts, stackers, pilot robots, or 3D shuttles—becomes more challenging.
During our market analysis, we found a manufacturer willing to share documentation, but its scope was limited. Many of the finer details had to be clarified and worked out directly on-site during equipment testing.
Expert Practice in Robot Acceptance Testing
During the acceptance testing of robots for one of our partners, we conducted a thorough inspection of each device, performing various tests that took into account the specifics of the client’s warehouse and the tasks at hand.
The tests included:
We documented all these aspects in a video accompanying the article to show how our tests help evaluate robots under conditions as close to real-life as possible.
During the acceptance testing of robots for one of our partners, we conducted a thorough inspection of each device, performing various tests that took into account the specifics of the client’s warehouse and the tasks at hand.
The tests included:
- robot performance in case of liquid spills;
- load capacity tests;
- verification of the robot’s interaction with stretch film;
- and other scenarios reflecting real-world operating conditions.
We documented all these aspects in a video accompanying the article to show how our tests help evaluate robots under conditions as close to real-life as possible.
Overall, Chinese companies prove to be reliable partners, especially in situations where Russia has limited alternatives in the high-tech sector. Indian manufacturers rarely produce and supply complex equipment, while Western counterparts are often significantly more expensive.
Moreover, China has access to patents from leading global robot and component manufacturers, which accelerates technological development. Chinese firms do not face shortages of components, as they actively supply them to markets in Europe and the Americas. All of this makes China one of the key players in the industrial automation and robotics market today.
Nevertheless, working with Chinese suppliers requires a particularly careful approach. Every project detail should be discussed in advance, and each stage of implementation must be monitored closely. Otherwise, there is a risk of receiving equipment that meets requirements on paper but will require adjustments in practice, leading to additional costs.
Moreover, China has access to patents from leading global robot and component manufacturers, which accelerates technological development. Chinese firms do not face shortages of components, as they actively supply them to markets in Europe and the Americas. All of this makes China one of the key players in the industrial automation and robotics market today.
Nevertheless, working with Chinese suppliers requires a particularly careful approach. Every project detail should be discussed in advance, and each stage of implementation must be monitored closely. Otherwise, there is a risk of receiving equipment that meets requirements on paper but will require adjustments in practice, leading to additional costs.