Intelligence & Full-Scenario Integration: Claw Machine Industry's New Ecosystem 2026
[Industry News] Since the start of 2026, the claw machine industry has ushered in a new wave of business upgrading. With Generation Z becoming the main consumer group, the traditional single grabbing model is gradually being phased out, and an innovative model centered on "intelligent experience, full-scenario integration, and private domain operation" has risen comprehensively. Leading brands are accelerating the layout of an online-offline integrated ecosystem, and the penetration rate of smart devices continues to increase, driving claw machines to transform from "fragmented entertainment tools" to "comprehensive entertainment consumption scenarios". The industry's market scale is expected to exceed 20 billion yuan RMB in 2026.
As an industry vanguard, the 2026 strategic blueprint released by leading brand JOYMARK at its 2025 Annual Ceremony has attracted widespread attention in the industry. The brand proposed the goal of "double first in traffic and value", announcing that it will focus on advancing the new "claw machine takeaway" model. Through an online remote control + offline instant delivery service system, it will create a "24/7 online claw machine grabbing" experience, completely breaking the constraints of time and space. Data shows that the brand achieved an official live broadcast GMV exceeding 240 million yuan in 2025, with a private domain member scale of 10 million and a repurchase rate of over 50%. Its closed-loop model of "online traffic acquisition - offline consumption - private domain precipitation" has become an industry benchmark.
Technological innovation has become the core engine driving industry upgrading. At the Guangzhou International Indoor Amusement Exhibition to be held in May 2026, a number of cutting-edge smart claw machines will be unveiled. Among them, devices equipped with AI visual recognition systems can automatically identify players' operating habits and dynamically adjust grabbing difficulty, balancing entertainment and fairness; interactive claw machines integrated with AR technology can achieve immersive experiences through mobile phone apps, allowing players to scan products to trigger interactive storylines, greatly enhancing user stickiness. The AI grabbing assistance system launched by Shiyu Technology has increased the winning rate of claw machines from the traditional 10% to 25%, effectively reducing user loss caused by "difficulty in winning prizes".
Scenario innovation and refined operation are upgrading simultaneously. Different from the scattered layout of traditional claw machines, the new generation of independent storefronts generally adopts the "themed scenario + diversified product categories" model. In addition to classic plush toys, beauty products, digital accessories, trendy toys and hand-made products have fully settled in. Some brands have also created themed scenarios such as pets and baking, forming an experience closed loop of "claw machine grabbing + check-in consumption". Data shows that claw machine stores adopting the innovative model can achieve a single-store daily revenue exceeding 20,000 yuan, with a per-square-meter efficiency far higher than the traditional model; through dynamic pricing algorithms and intelligent clip protection mechanism adjustments, the complaint rate of some stores has decreased by 62% while maintaining stable profits.
Industry experts analyze that the claw machine industry will show three major trends in 2026: "increased penetration rate of intelligence, in-depth integration of online and offline, and accelerated IP commercialization". The market share of smart claw machines is expected to exceed 50%, and innovative directions such as AR/VR technology application and environmental protection material upgrading will become the focus of corporate competition. For consumers, more convenient experiences, more diverse choices, and more personalized services will become the norm; for investors, a standardized operation system, mature supply chain support, and private domain operation capabilities will be the key to profitability.
With the acceleration of industry standardization and innovation, claw machines are breaking away from the label of "low-end entertainment" and becoming an important entertainment carrier connecting young consumer groups. In the future, more new gameplay and models integrating technology and creativity will continue to emerge, driving the industry to evolve towards a higher value dimension.
