China robots market to be worth up to US$15.4 billion in three years

BEIJING - The market for industrial and service robots in China is expected to be worth RMB100 billion (US$15.4 billion) within three years, according to a report from the German-based International Federation of Robotics. Sales of robots in China are set to almost triple by 2018, defying a slowdown in the wider economy, according to a report in the China Daily.

Annual robot sales will jump to 150,000 by 2018 from 57,000 in 2014, the report says. Shanghai hopes to position itself as a leading centre to develop service robots - the city has unique advantages to develop them because of its service industry and technological developments on chips, software and industrial design.

Robots include industrial robots in sectors like manufacturing, automotive and aerospace as well as service robots for taking care of children and aged people, home security, restaurants and banks.

“Service robots will soon become a part of intelligent home and smart community, taking care of children and aged people at home,” said Gu Yancheng, Marketing Director of Suntotek, which develops service robots.  www.webershandwick.cn (ATI).