China set for robotic future
11 Feb 2015
More industrial robots will be operating in China’s production plants in next three years’ time than in the European Union or North America, the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) has predicted.
The 2014 World Robot Statistics, compiled by the IFR, forecasts that operating unit numbers will double from 200,000 in China today to more than 400,000 by 2017.
We have witnessed swift, almost explosive growth [in China] over the last two or three years, surpassing even our expectations
ABB Robotics’ Per Vegard Nerseth
China is already the world’s largest market for industrial robots, said the IFR report, which adds: “This merely marks the first step in a fast game of catch-up.”
Per Vegard Nerseth, managing director of ABB Robotics, said: “We have witnessed swift, almost explosive growth [in China] over the last two or three years, surpassing even our expectations.”
Kuka and two Japanese robot manufacturers now also have their own locally-based production sites and more manufacturers are planning to build their own production lines in China, said the IFR.
