扫地机器人，从此只有“内战”了

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the intense competition among Chinese vacuum robot manufacturers in the global market, particularly in the context of the Berlin International Consumer Electronics Show, where they showcased their latest products and global market ambitions. Chinese companies have captured the largest market share, with iRobot's share dropping below 10% [3][4]. Global Market: Four Winners, One Loser - In the first half of 2025, the global vacuum robot market saw a shipment of 11.263 million units, a year-on-year increase of 16.5%. The top five companies, including Stone Technology, Ecovacs, and Xiaomi, accounted for 64.8% of the market share, up 4.8 percentage points from the previous year [7]. - iRobot, the only American company in the top five, lost nearly half of its market share compared to the first half of 2024, now holding around 8%. In Q2 2025, iRobot fell out of the top five, with Cloud Whale taking its place [7][8]. - The growth in the domestic market was driven by effective government subsidy policies, while Chinese manufacturers adopted aggressive channel expansion strategies overseas [8]. Chinese Market: Close Combat - The concentration in the Chinese market is significantly higher than in the international market, with the top five companies holding nearly 90% of the market share. Ecovacs has maintained the top position for ten consecutive years, but Stone Technology is rapidly closing the gap [11]. - In 2024, Ecovacs held a market share of 25.4%, with Stone Technology trailing by 3 percentage points. However, other competitors are aggressively capturing market share from Ecovacs [11][12]. Market Share Growth and Profitability Challenges - Stone Technology reported a profit of 680 million RMB in the first half of 2025, a 40% year-on-year decline, despite an 80% increase in revenue to 7.9 billion RMB. The surge in sales expenses, which rose by 144% to 2.16 billion RMB, contributed to this profit decline [13][14]. - The intense competition in the industry is leading to a decline in both revenue and profit for many brands, as highlighted by Cloud Whale's significant sales growth but increasing cash flow pressure [14]. New Entrants and Market Dynamics - New players like DJI are entering the crowded vacuum robot market, with DJI launching its first vacuum robot in August 2025, targeting the mid-to-high-end segment [15]. - China has surpassed the U.S. to become the largest market for vacuum robots, with a projected overall growth of 12% in 2025. The household penetration rate in China is still below 5%, compared to over 15% in the U.S., indicating room for growth [15]. Technological Innovations: Future Directions - Current vacuum robots meet basic user needs, but future breakthroughs are expected in navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithms. Innovations like the bionic four-legged climbing system and adaptive chassis for overcoming obstacles are being showcased [17][18]. - Companies are exploring the integration of robotic arms into vacuum robots, although the practicality and user demand for such features remain uncertain [19][20]. Global Expansion and Uncertainties - Chinese vacuum robot companies are facing uncertainties in overseas markets, particularly regarding production capacity and tariff policies. Despite potential challenges in the U.S. market, companies like Cloud Whale are expanding into over 50 countries [20].