The fast growth in the installation of industrial robots has had a major impact on the comparative advantage of nations and the division of labor in global value chains in the era of smart manufacturing. Using various econometric models and panel data from 18 industries in 38 countries from 2000 to 2014, this paper empirically examines the impact of industrial robot applications on the status of countries in manufacturing global value chains and its mechanisms. The study demonstrates that industrial robot application can effectively improve the status of countries in manufacturing global value chains, and this improving effect is more obvious for developing countries and labor-intensive and technology-intensive industries. Mechanism testing shows that industrial robot application can effectively enhance the development level of highly skilled human capital and productive service industries, thereby improving the status of the manufacturing global value chain. This study provides a theoretical basis and policy reference for countries to enhance their status in the global value chain through industrial robot applications in the future.