Battle of the machines: Chinese robot makers take on foreign peers

By Ma Si and Tian Xuefei (China Daily) Updated: 2016-01-28 11:20

Alpha 2, a half-meter-high humanoid robot built by the Shenzhen-based UBTECH Robotics Corp is displayed at the 17th China High-Tech Fair in Shenzhen.Alpha 2 can demonstrate yoga movements and dance. It can also pass you tools using its "hand". It also boasts features like intelligent voice and communication capability.[Photo/people.com.cn]

In addition to Siasun, the country's largest robot maker by market value, a bunch of new players are getting lured in and many robot makers are upping the ante with ambitious development plans.

"The past two years have seen an explosion of domestic robot makers, partly stimulated by strong policy support," said Luo Jun, chief executive officer of the International Robotics and Intelligent Equipment Industry Alliance, a Beijing-based industry association.

The robot industry is central to the country's Made in China 2025 strategy designed to promote high-end manufacturing.