China's robot industry lacks core technology
- By Lin Liyao
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, April 7, 2016
|
|
|
A production line at the Siasun Robot & Automation Co., Ltd. uses robots to make robots. [Xinhua] |
Although enjoying a rapid growth rate, the Chinese robot industry features low-end products and a lack of core technology. In 2013, among the 36,500 industrial robot units introduced into domestic market, 96 percent of high-end robots, which are used in auto manufacturing and welding, were produced and imported from foreign countries. Homemade industrial robots are mainly used to carry goods, transfer materials and serve in other low-end industries.
A lack of core technology is the main problem. Almost all reducers, servo motors and controllers used on homemade industrial robots are purchased from foreign countries, making it difficult for homemade industrial robots to compete with foreign brands.
Zhao Yong, CEO of Robot-China.com, said that sales profits of Chinese robot companies doesn't allow for expensive research and development costs as their sales volumes were less than 1,000 each year. "Some Chinese robot companies have to rely on producing components because they can't meet the needs of auto manufacturers and ship production lines which ask for nonstop operation," said Zhao.
There is still a big gap between domestic and foreign robot enterprises, and the differences exist in areas such as product performance, components, control systems and product application.
Xu Fang, director of the Siasun Research Institute, said that the Chinese automation industry should follow market trends, and the government should only support several big robot enterprises which are able to survive harsh competition rather than all robot companies in the country.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)