SOURCE / PRESS RELEASE
Chinese service robotics companies shine at IFA exhibition
On September 6, the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (IFA) opened in Berlin, Germany. This year's IFA marks a significant milestone—its 100th anniversary. Over the past century, IFA has evolved from a radio exhibition to a global showcase for cutting-edge technologies such as smart homes and artificial intelligence, bearing witness to every major shift in the consumer electronics industry.
"Going global" has become a central business strategy for Chinese companies this year. From light industrial products and everyday items to household appliances, mobile phones, automobiles, and robots, Chinese brands are making significant strides in global markets. Whether in well-established markets like Europe, North America, and ASEAN, or emerging ones such as Russia and Mexico, Chinese brands are increasingly becoming mainstream on the global stage.
This year's IFA exhibition has drawn over 1,800 exhibitors from 139 countries and regions. Among them is ECOVACS, a leading Chinese brand in cleaning robots that has been participating in IFA since 2012. Alongside prominent industry players like TCL and HONOR, ECOVACS has showcased its latest and most innovative technologies with confidence. The centennial IFA exhibition, in this context, stands as a testament to the rise of Chinese innovation and technology.
One New Product Launch, Two International Awards
As visitors enter the IFA exhibition from either the north or south gates, they are immediately met with a prominent display of Chinese brands. Hall 9, one of the most stunning spaces at the exhibition, sees the ECOVACS booth predominantly positioned at one side of the entrance. This year, ECOVACS Group is making its debut with a joint presentation of its dual brands, ECOVACS ROBOTICS and TINECO, at the IFA exhibition.
Qian Cheng, Vice Chairman of ECOVACS Group and CEO of ECOVACS ROBOTICS, remarked that this is his 12th time attending the IFA in the past 15 years. He has noticed changes each year, with the most significant being the increasing prominence of Chinese brands and innovations. "Chinese companies are presenting their best domestic technologies and products to European and global audiences through the IFA," he noted.
At the exhibition, ECOVACS ROBOTICS unveiled its latest floor cleaning robot innovations. Highlighting the launch was the DEEBOT X8 PRO PLUS, the world's first constant-pressure water renewal robotic floor washer. This groundbreaking model merges ECOVACS' advanced smart technology with TINECO's core OZMO ROLLER constant-pressure water renewal system. Its unique roller-based cleaning structure significantly enhances floor cleaning pressure, improving effectiveness against stubborn stains. Additionally, the DEEBOT T50 series showcases a revolutionary design as the thinnest robotic vacuum cleaner from ECOVACS, with an ultra-slim profile of just 81mm, making it the sleekest model in the DEEBOT lineup.
It is worth noting that the ECOVACS brand and its DEEBOT X8 PRO PLUS received prestigious accolades at this year's IFA Product Innovation and Technology Awards, including the "Home Cleaning Robot Brand Award" and the "Gold Award for Home Cleaning Solutions." Qian Cheng further commented, "We are honored to present ECOVACS' most advanced technological innovations in floor cleaning at this exhibition and look forward to setting a new standard in the floor cleaning industry." Additionally, at IFA ECOVACS also showcased a diverse product lineup, including the DEEBOT vacuum robot, the WINBOT window cleaning robot, and the GOAT lawn mowing robot.
As early as 2012, ECOVACS ROBOTICS showcased its products, including robotic vacuum cleaners and robotic window cleaners, at the IFA exhibition. Each year since then, ECOVACS has introduced increasingly advanced technologies, making a significant impact in the industry.
This year, ECOVACS' products drew substantial attention from European media and consumers. A procurement manager from Hamburg, Germany, remarked that ECOVACS is a familiar name in the European cleaning robot market. Despite their higher price points, the products' robust functionality and user-centric design have made them bestsellers. It is evident that ECOVACS has solidified its position as a preferred Chinese brand among European distributors and consumers.
What has earned ECOVACS the approval of discerning European consumers? The ECOVACS ROBOTICS CEO confidently attributes this success to innovation. He noted that European consumers were initially hesitant to embrace robotic vacuum cleaners. However, advancements in AI and sensor technology have enabled ECOVACS' robotic vacuum cleaners to deliver a more intelligent cleaning experience. The introduction of mopping capabilities and OMNI Stations has significantly enhanced the overall user experience.
Around the year 2000, the ECOVACS team began exploring and developing home service robots. By 2006, ECOVACS introduced its first autonomous vacuum cleaner, making its first appearance to the public. Since then, ECOVACS has leveraged the technology developed for robotic vacuum cleaners to create new categories of home appliances. This includes innovations such as robotic window cleaners and, extending beyond indoor use, the development of a robotic lawnmower that advances lawn care technology to a new level.
Last year, ECOVACS' R&D expenditure reached 877 million yuan, marking a 17.87% increase from the previous year. Beyond that, the company employs up to 16% of its staff in technology research and development and holds over 2,000 patents worldwide.
Expanding the Pie, Not Just Sharing It
As a leading example of China's new productive forces going global, ECOVACS has leveraged its technological prowess to capture markets across Europe and beyond. Since 2012, ECOVACS has established subsidiaries in key locations such as the US and Germany. In 2023, the company further accelerated its international expansion by opening an overseas headquarters in Singapore.
In the first half of this year, ECOVACS' overseas business revenue grew by 11.3% year-on-year, accounting for 39.3% of the brand's total revenue. Sales in the European market surged by 42% compared to the previous year, with the DEEBOT X series alone selling over 1.6 million units globally.
Regarding the advantages and challenges faced by Chinese companies' "going global" strategies, Qian noted that, as far as ECOVACS is concerned, the company has achieved balanced coverage across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and the Chinese market, actively addressing global challenges. For Chinese enterprises going international, it's not about "sharing the pie" but rather "expanding it."
He believes that while market competition is inevitable, overcoming price competition always hinges on superior technology and innovation. Consumers are consistently willing to pay for an exceptional product experience. Currently, many European consumers and media representatives are visiting the booth to explore the new products. Despite ECOVACS' products being positioned in the "premium" segment, the company is confident that innovation is crucial for shaping the brand and enhancing its value.
Looking ahead to the next decade, the field of robotic vacuum cleaners is poised for significant transformation with the advancement of artificial intelligence and sensor technologies. ECOVACS will continue to uphold its mission of "Robotics for All," remain responsive to market changes, increase its investment in research and development, lead the industry in high-quality growth, and work toward becoming a top global robotics company.
"Going global" has become a central business strategy for Chinese companies this year. From light industrial products and everyday items to household appliances, mobile phones, automobiles, and robots, Chinese brands are making significant strides in global markets. Whether in well-established markets like Europe, North America, and ASEAN, or emerging ones such as Russia and Mexico, Chinese brands are increasingly becoming mainstream on the global stage.
This year's IFA exhibition has drawn over 1,800 exhibitors from 139 countries and regions. Among them is ECOVACS, a leading Chinese brand in cleaning robots that has been participating in IFA since 2012. Alongside prominent industry players like TCL and HONOR, ECOVACS has showcased its latest and most innovative technologies with confidence. The centennial IFA exhibition, in this context, stands as a testament to the rise of Chinese innovation and technology.
One New Product Launch, Two International Awards
As visitors enter the IFA exhibition from either the north or south gates, they are immediately met with a prominent display of Chinese brands. Hall 9, one of the most stunning spaces at the exhibition, sees the ECOVACS booth predominantly positioned at one side of the entrance. This year, ECOVACS Group is making its debut with a joint presentation of its dual brands, ECOVACS ROBOTICS and TINECO, at the IFA exhibition.
Photo: ECOVACS Brand
This year marks the 26th anniversary of ECOVACS in the service robotics industry. Through its relentless pursuit of excellence in products and services, ECOVACS has evolved into a vibrant, globally recognized brand. The booth has been continuously crowded with visitors, all captivated by the "hard-working" cleaning robots on display.Qian Cheng, Vice Chairman of ECOVACS Group and CEO of ECOVACS ROBOTICS, remarked that this is his 12th time attending the IFA in the past 15 years. He has noticed changes each year, with the most significant being the increasing prominence of Chinese brands and innovations. "Chinese companies are presenting their best domestic technologies and products to European and global audiences through the IFA," he noted.
At the exhibition, ECOVACS ROBOTICS unveiled its latest floor cleaning robot innovations. Highlighting the launch was the DEEBOT X8 PRO PLUS, the world's first constant-pressure water renewal robotic floor washer. This groundbreaking model merges ECOVACS' advanced smart technology with TINECO's core OZMO ROLLER constant-pressure water renewal system. Its unique roller-based cleaning structure significantly enhances floor cleaning pressure, improving effectiveness against stubborn stains. Additionally, the DEEBOT T50 series showcases a revolutionary design as the thinnest robotic vacuum cleaner from ECOVACS, with an ultra-slim profile of just 81mm, making it the sleekest model in the DEEBOT lineup.
It is worth noting that the ECOVACS brand and its DEEBOT X8 PRO PLUS received prestigious accolades at this year's IFA Product Innovation and Technology Awards, including the "Home Cleaning Robot Brand Award" and the "Gold Award for Home Cleaning Solutions." Qian Cheng further commented, "We are honored to present ECOVACS' most advanced technological innovations in floor cleaning at this exhibition and look forward to setting a new standard in the floor cleaning industry." Additionally, at IFA ECOVACS also showcased a diverse product lineup, including the DEEBOT vacuum robot, the WINBOT window cleaning robot, and the GOAT lawn mowing robot.
Photo: ECOVACS Brand
Top- Seller at Europe's Largest Electronics RetailersAs early as 2012, ECOVACS ROBOTICS showcased its products, including robotic vacuum cleaners and robotic window cleaners, at the IFA exhibition. Each year since then, ECOVACS has introduced increasingly advanced technologies, making a significant impact in the industry.
This year, ECOVACS' products drew substantial attention from European media and consumers. A procurement manager from Hamburg, Germany, remarked that ECOVACS is a familiar name in the European cleaning robot market. Despite their higher price points, the products' robust functionality and user-centric design have made them bestsellers. It is evident that ECOVACS has solidified its position as a preferred Chinese brand among European distributors and consumers.
Photo: ECOVACS Brand
MediaMarkt is the largest electronics retail chain in Germany and Europe. According to Mr Saxe, Managing Director of MediaMarkt Berlin-Wedding, the store offers around 47,000 products, and over half of them are manufactured in China. ECOVACS products are available at all Wandeltown stores and on their e-commerce platforms, where they consistently receive high praise from consumers. One customer described ECOVACS products as "quiet, powerful, and smart."What has earned ECOVACS the approval of discerning European consumers? The ECOVACS ROBOTICS CEO confidently attributes this success to innovation. He noted that European consumers were initially hesitant to embrace robotic vacuum cleaners. However, advancements in AI and sensor technology have enabled ECOVACS' robotic vacuum cleaners to deliver a more intelligent cleaning experience. The introduction of mopping capabilities and OMNI Stations has significantly enhanced the overall user experience.
Around the year 2000, the ECOVACS team began exploring and developing home service robots. By 2006, ECOVACS introduced its first autonomous vacuum cleaner, making its first appearance to the public. Since then, ECOVACS has leveraged the technology developed for robotic vacuum cleaners to create new categories of home appliances. This includes innovations such as robotic window cleaners and, extending beyond indoor use, the development of a robotic lawnmower that advances lawn care technology to a new level.
Photo: ECOVACS Brand
ECOVACS has also deeply invested in the robotics industry ecosystem by establishing an Artificial Intelligence Engineering Institute and focusing on intelligent sensor research, continually leading the advancement of cutting-edge technologies. As one of the frontrunners in the development of China's robotics and intelligent manufacturing industry cluster, ECOVACS hosted its inaugural ECOVACS Robotics Conference in Suzhou last June. The event brought together over 300 robotics-related companies, investment institutions, and industry scholars to explore future trends and challenges in the robotics industry.Last year, ECOVACS' R&D expenditure reached 877 million yuan, marking a 17.87% increase from the previous year. Beyond that, the company employs up to 16% of its staff in technology research and development and holds over 2,000 patents worldwide.
Expanding the Pie, Not Just Sharing It
As a leading example of China's new productive forces going global, ECOVACS has leveraged its technological prowess to capture markets across Europe and beyond. Since 2012, ECOVACS has established subsidiaries in key locations such as the US and Germany. In 2023, the company further accelerated its international expansion by opening an overseas headquarters in Singapore.
In the first half of this year, ECOVACS' overseas business revenue grew by 11.3% year-on-year, accounting for 39.3% of the brand's total revenue. Sales in the European market surged by 42% compared to the previous year, with the DEEBOT X series alone selling over 1.6 million units globally.
Photo: ECOVACS Brand
Today, ECOVACS ROBOTICS products are present in over 170 major markets worldwide, serving more than 28 million households globally. Since 2018, ECOVACS ROBOTICS has been listed among the Top 50 Global Brands by BRANDZ for seven consecutive years.Regarding the advantages and challenges faced by Chinese companies' "going global" strategies, Qian noted that, as far as ECOVACS is concerned, the company has achieved balanced coverage across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and the Chinese market, actively addressing global challenges. For Chinese enterprises going international, it's not about "sharing the pie" but rather "expanding it."
He believes that while market competition is inevitable, overcoming price competition always hinges on superior technology and innovation. Consumers are consistently willing to pay for an exceptional product experience. Currently, many European consumers and media representatives are visiting the booth to explore the new products. Despite ECOVACS' products being positioned in the "premium" segment, the company is confident that innovation is crucial for shaping the brand and enhancing its value.
Looking ahead to the next decade, the field of robotic vacuum cleaners is poised for significant transformation with the advancement of artificial intelligence and sensor technologies. ECOVACS will continue to uphold its mission of "Robotics for All," remain responsive to market changes, increase its investment in research and development, lead the industry in high-quality growth, and work toward becoming a top global robotics company.
