In the bustling city of Wuhu, located in the eastern province of Anhui, China, a robotic arm is working diligently. It’s meticulously following the red laser lines etched onto steel plates, cutting them with precision. Sparks fly, illuminating the workshop of a leading intelligent robotics company. This high-tech spectacle is a testament to the rapid growth and technological advancements in China’s robotics industry.
Zhang Fuqiang, a highly skilled robot algorithm engineer, is the brains behind these precise operations. He is responsible for fine-tuning the robots’ “eye-brain” coordination, thereby ensuring their accuracy. Zhang processes the data captured by the robots’ vision sensors, calculating cutting and welding paths with a minuscule margin of error of just 0.5 mm.
The work doesn’t stop there. Zhang collaborates with his team on data processing, graphic analysis and verification to ensure the robot arms operate along pre-set tracks accurately. This is a testament to how programming languages and coding are revolutionizing the robotics industry.
As the digital era unfolds, robots are becoming increasingly integral to various aspects of life and production. Their applications extend far beyond industrial manufacturing, seeping into sectors like transportation and storage, home appliances, education, and entertainment. They’re even playing a crucial role in emergency rescue operations.
One of China’s leading AI and speech tech firms, iFLYTEK, has developed a robotic teaching assistant. This innovative tool aids students in primary and secondary schools in understanding AI. Chen Zhijun, a hardware development engineer at the company, is responsible for developing the robot’s controller, sensor, processor and memory. His computer screen displays intricate frame diagrams of these components.
Chen’s role is to ensure the robot functions efficiently, with optimal perception skills and motion control. He achieves this through precise parameter setting for each component, ensuring smooth operation at an optimized cost. This highlights how electronics and computer studies are instrumental in the robotics industry.
In June 2022, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in China announced 18 new occupations, including that of a robot engineering technician. This new profession stems from the robust growth of the robotics industry in China. The field of robotic engineering is complex and multidisciplinary, encompassing mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, computer studies, sensing and AI.
Wu Hao, head of operations at a robotics company in Wuhu, predicts that intelligent manufacturing will gradually replace high-risk, labor-intensive positions. He believes that human-robot collaboration will enhance production and manufacturing methods.
According to a development plan for China’s robotics industry during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the annual compound growth rate of the industry has been approximately 15 percent since 2016. In 2020 alone, the operating revenue from the robotics industry exceeded 100 billion yuan (about 13.99 billion U.S. dollars).
The development plan underscores the importance of the robotics industry in China’s economic development, social governance and people’s lives. With its rapid growth and wide-ranging applications, there is no doubt that robotics is not only shaping China’s future but also revolutionizing industries worldwide.
