Chinese Robotics Firms Explored UAE Manufacturing Ties
The potential partnerships would combine Chinese robotics technology with the United Arab Emirates’ industrial scaling capabilities.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Robotics
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Chinese robotics companies, including LinkerBot, have engaged in discussions with United Arab Emirates institutions regarding new manufacturing collaborations. The effort aims to pair advanced robotics exports with the UAE's capital-intensive assembly infrastructure.
Why it matters
The UAE is seeking to rapidly expand its industrial sector through international partnerships to reach a Dh300 billion GDP contribution goal by 2031. For robotics firms, this provides access to energy resources and regional capital markets.
In 2024, China installed approximately 295,000 industrial robots, accounting for 54% of global installations. These systems increasingly rely on Physical AI, a framework that integrates high-level machine learning models with physical robotics to interpret and interact with environments.
The players
LinkerBot
A Chinese robotics company currently exploring international production collaborations.
ROX Motor
A vehicle manufacturer that established a production base in Abu Dhabi.
SK hynix
A memory semiconductor supplier that held 50 percent of the global high-bandwidth memory market in Q2 2026.
Samsung
A major technology conglomerate that held 33 percent of the global high-bandwidth memory market in Q2 2026.
The details
The proposed collaboration model relies on a division of labor where Chinese firms provide advanced robotics components and proprietary software, while UAE facilities provide capital-intensive assembly and automated manufacturing. Physical AI — a method where AI models process sensory input to guide physical movement — enables these machines to interpret surroundings and perform tasks autonomously. These integrations are critical as the industry shifts toward high-bandwidth memory, where SK hynix held 50% and Samsung held 33% of the global market in Q2 2026.
Timeline
In 2024, China installed 295,000 industrial robots.
UAE industrial exports rose 25 percent during 2025.
In Q2 2026, SK hynix and Samsung maintained their respective high-bandwidth memory market shares.
ROX Motor began vehicle production in Abu Dhabi in September 2026.
LinkerBot held discussions at the AIM Summit in Dubai on October 13, 2026.
The Tech Race
These manufacturing talks follow the UAE's strategy to reach a Dh300 billion industrial contribution to GDP by 2031. This initiative mirrors broader global shifts where regions are racing to secure hardware supply chains amid an expected surge in data-centre energy use to 945 terawatt-hours by 2030.
For industrial operators, these partnerships may eventually lower the cost of high-tech manufacturing equipment as production scales within the Gulf. The timeline for these systems to reach the broader market remains unannounced.
The takeaway
These discussions signal an intensifying effort to integrate high-level Physical AI hardware with regional manufacturing hubs. Readers should monitor future announcements regarding joint production facilities between LinkerBot and UAE industrial entities for signs of scaling.
Further reading
For more on the development of autonomous systems, visit /tech/robotics/.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The National.
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