Sun Fuchun, Tsinghua University: There will be four sets of service robots in the future

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The data indicates that over the past five years, China's robotics industry has maintained a growth rate of over 20%, making it a key contributor to the global robotics sector. However, Xin Guobin, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, pointed out that China's robotics industry still faces issues of low-level development and repetitive construction. Similarly, Sun Fuchun, a professor at Tsinghua University's Department of Computer Science and Technology, noted that China's robotics sector follows trends rather than leading them. He emphasized that innovation and independent intellectual property rights are essential for driving the future of robotics.

So, how can China transform its high-end industries from a low-end foundation? Sun Fuchun believes that embracing future innovation trends is crucial, particularly by focusing on the next generation of robots—service robots. He suggests shifting focus away from traditional industrial robots toward service-oriented solutions to leapfrog competitors.

Concerns Over Excessive Investment in Robotics

Compared to last year's World Robot Conference, this year saw even greater participation from manufacturers and attendees, with the theme forums buzzing with activity. According to the International Federation of Robotics, the global robotics industry reached over $20 billion in 2016, growing by 14.5%, with projections reaching $23.2 billion in 2017. For China specifically, the robotics industry has grown at an average annual rate of over 20% in recent years. In the industrial robotics segment alone, 59,000 units were produced in the first half of this year, marking a 52% increase from the previous year. China has been the world’s largest industrial robot application market for five consecutive years, with its share of the global market rising from one-fourth to nearly one-third.

However, Xin Guobin warned of a concerning issue: the repetitive construction of robotics parks and companies in China. With over 40 robotics industrial parks either completed or under construction, the number of robotics firms has surged to over 800. Yet, domestically produced robots are predominantly low-end and mid-range, raising concerns about high-end industries being dominated by low-end products and potential overcapacity in lower-tier segments.

In agreement, Professor Sun Fuchun echoed these concerns, stating that China’s robotics sector suffers from systemic inefficiencies. "When the government emphasizes the importance of robotics and AI, everyone jumps on the bandwagon without considering local needs," he explained.

Despite abundant funding and talent, China still depends heavily on imports for high-end robotics. To address this, Sun Fuchun proposed three strategies: strengthening collaboration among major research institutions, fostering international partnerships, and encouraging broader adoption of robotics innovations.

Changing Lanes Through Service Robots

Whether through collaborative research or international cooperation, the emphasis remains on enhancing independent intellectual property rights and innovation capabilities. "Innovation is the lifeblood of robotics’ future," Sun Fuchun stated. "To innovate, we must anticipate future trends in robotics. China should focus on the next generation of robots."

Here, Sun highlighted the growing demand for service robots—cooking, cleaning, security, and companion bots. "Future demand in these areas will be immense," he remarked. "As Bill Gates once said, robots will soon enter homes, much like PCs did. These are service robots."

Sun believes service robots represent the most pressing need. Investing in their R&D could drive industrial transformation and boost China's GDP, offering a unique opportunity for strategic advancement.

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