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China’s small manufacturers embrace automation, with human help

As large manufacturers turn to fully automatic “dark factories,” smaller operators are adding robots to supplement human labour.

Published: 7:25pm, 19 Dec 2025

While Chinese manufacturers embrace advanced automation and robotics, smaller factories are finding ways to mix hi-tech assembly lines with traditional human workers in a bid to boost productivity in the country’s fiercely competitive industrial and manufacturing sectors.

China’s small manufacturers embrace automation, with human help

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}As large manufacturers turn to fully automatic “dark factories,” smaller operators are adding robots to supplement human labour.

As large manufacturers turn to fully automatic “dark factories,” smaller operators are adding robots to supplement human labour.