Abstract: Industrial robot technologies are diverse enough to various fields. This kind of variety serves technology convergence and development. We explored the technology opportunity using TDS theory, combined with patent data from three aspects, including technology, competitors and potential markets. The technology convergence pattern and core technologies in industrial robot field are found by co-occurrence analysis. The technology competitive countries and institutions are identified by analyzing the patentees. The potential markets and strategy position are explored by analyzing the overseas distribution of patent families. China has been the most attractive robot market on the world. The results of our study are expected to contribute to discovering technology opportunities in the field of industrial robots to lead innovation and development.

Key words: technology opportunity analysis, patentometrics, technology convergence, technology competitor, potential market, industrial robot