China now world’s biggest market for robots

BEIJING - Researchers at the China Robot Industry Alliance report that with sales of about 37,000 industrial robots in 2013, China has for the first time surpassed Japan (2013 sales 26,000) as the world’s biggest market for robots. Over the past five years, China’s total supply of industrial robots has grown by an annual average of 36%. Li Xiaojia of the Alliance says that he expects the Chinese market to continue growing by about 40% annually.

Foreign multi-national corporations are reacting to the development, with ABB Group of Switzerland, a major supplier of industrial motors and drives, relocating its robotic industry chain, including research, manufacturing and aftersales, to China.

Observers say one of the main reasons for the market boom is the continuing rise in labour costs, in addition to younger industrial workers becoming “more choosy” about both their work and working conditions. Another potential reason for the increasing popularity of industrial robots is the impact of China’s aging population. www.webershandwick.cn (ATI).