China's entertainment robots are gaining ground, but robots used in the medical field are just catching up. (Photo : Getty Images)
China will have to double its efforts in automation if it were to surpass Germany, Japan and other countries with advanced robot industries, according to an article by CBS News.
As China is faced with rising labor costs and a dwindling workforce as a result of the "one-child" policy era and the aging population, developing automation is considered crucial for its industries, the report said. In addition, the country's extensive plans to upgrade its factories and production depend on building advanced robots and making use of them.
At a five-day exhibition in Beijing, the country showcased its growing robot industry, part of the country's efforts to promote the use of more advanced technologies in factories and redefine "Made in China" by creating better products.
China also displayed its robots at the World Robot Conference, which included Canbot, a robot that can say its name, respond to commands and dance to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." The other robots also showed their capabilities such as play badminton, sand cellphone cases and sort computer chips, among others.
Canbot U-Partner is being promoted by Shanghai-based Infinities International Group as a service robot in shopping malls, banks and restaurants. It was modeled after Japan's SoftBank robot, Pepper.
Ares, a human-sized robot designed by 24-year-old college students Peng Zhihui and Luo Binyi, can perform various tasks and has a range of potential use.
"Many robots aren't very useful right now, but will show their true value when they are used in homes in the future," Peng said.
China is not only the world's top consumer of industrial robots but it will soon have the highest number of commercial robots in operation in any country.
Thousands of factories in industrial centers in southern China are now also using robots, the report said. About 40,000 robots are installed in factories of Foxconn, the firm based in Taiwan that assembles Apple's iPhones in China.
In the recent "Made in China 2025" plan, China plans to produce 100,000 industrial robots a year and to reach the robot density of 150 robots for every 10,000 employees by 2020.
In terms of robot density, China is now 28th in the world, behind Portugal and Indonesia. Last year, about 20,000 robots were sold by Chinese suppliers to local companies.
"There has never been such a dynamic rise in such a short period of time in any other market," according to the International Federation of Robotics in its analysis of China's robot industry published earlier this year.
Recently, Chinese appliance maker Midea Group announced the purchase of German industrial robot manufacturer Kuka.
According to Wing Chu, a senior economist at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, this is part of China's efforts to advance its robotics industry and transform its economy.
"In the longer term, China wants to upgrade all its industries," Wing said.
