BEIJING (Reuters) – China's supply chain showed off cheap and innovative components at the World Robotics Congress in Beijing as the country seeks to seize the lead in developing humanoid robots, but some industry executives warned that product reliability has yet to improve.
Whisson Technology (Shenzhen), known for its flexible robot manipulators, does not rely on transmission devices such as motors and reducers commonly used in robotics, but instead uses 3D-printed plastic and pneumatic artificial muscles to power its robots.
This cheap production method allows the company's flexible arms to be about one-tenth the price of traditional robotic arms, said Kao Wei, a partner and investor in Whisson through venture capital firm Ranch Ventures.
Whisson says on its website that its flexible technology can produce a robotic arm at a cost of about 10,000 yuan ($1,404).
“(Whisson's) flexible arms can be used in humanoid robots,” Cao said, adding that the company has already provided samples to overseas companies that build humanoid robots, without providing details.
Yi Gang, founder of Ti5 Robot, a Shanghai-based company that specializes in integrated joints, highlighted some of the issues he sees in the robot supply chain.
“We still have to address product reliability issues throughout the supply chain,” Yi said, adding that his company can only produce a maximum of 1,000 units of the product because of defect rates.
Harmonic gear – a machine that plays a key role in controlling motion – was a key issue, he said.
China's robotics efforts are underpinned by President Xi Jinping's policy of developing a “new productive force” in technology, as a brochure for last week's event highlighted.
In China, the world's largest market for industrial robots, increasingly sophisticated technology is changing the face of traditional industries such as manufacturing, automotive, agriculture, education, health care and home services. Reuters Graphics
Gao Jiyang, who was executive director at Chinese autonomous driving startup Momenta before founding Galaxea AI, a startup focused on embedding robotics hardware and AI, said the widespread adoption of smart driving is leading to advances in robotics.
“Self-driving refers to cars equipped with AI, which is also a type of robot,” Gao said.
As the meeting concluded on Sunday, Premier Li Qiang said it was important to implement President Xi Jinping's guidelines on the importance of the robotics industry.
“The robotics industry has broad prospects and huge market potential,” Li said, according to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency.
Describing the robots as “an important gauge of technological innovation and high-end manufacturing capabilities,” Premier Li called for efforts to maintain supply chain stability and advance on the international stage.
“We need to promote the expansion and adoption of robots in various sectors, including industry, agriculture and the service industry,” he said.
Reuters Graphics
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Reporting by Qiaoyi Li and Kevin Krolicki in Beijing; Writing by Anne Marie Roantree; Editing by Michael Perry
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