The invention discloses a novel four-degree-of-freedom articulated robot structure. The novel four-degree-of-freedom articulated robot structure comprises a base, a lifting seat, a first mechanical arm, a Y-axis cover, a second mechanical arm, and an operation main shaft, wherein the lifting seat vertically moves in the direction of a Z-axis under the limiting actions of a lead screw, a lead screw, and a guide rail pair, the first mechanical arm can rotate around an X-axis parallel to the Z-axis to be installed on the lifting seat, the Y-axis cover is installed on the first mechanical arm, bears a first Y-axis speed reduction device shaft and a second Y-axis speed reduction device shaft, and is provided with through holes for a Y-axis servo motor shaft, the first Y-axis speed reduction device shaft and the second Y-axis speed reduction device shaft to penetrate, the second mechanical arm can rotate around the Y-axis parallel to the X-axis to be installed on the first mechanical arm, and the operation main shaft can rotate around an R-axis parallel to the Y-axis to be installed on the second mechanical arm. The novel four-degree-of-freedom articulated robot structure is simple in structure, low in cost, large in operation space, and high in operation accuracy.