Counterattack of industrial robots in the AI era is underway

(Article source: Investment Network)

In China, industrial robots are regarded as the best field, because China has become the world's largest industrial robot application market for 6 consecutive years, but at the same time, the main market share is tightly held by foreign companies. If domestic industrial robots want to occupy a place in future competition, they must break their arms to survive, and cannot continue the old path of domestic substitution. In the age of artificial intelligence, industrial robots are eager to be changed. With the active development of domestic AI, the intelligentization of industrial robots is imminent.


At present, the industry is moving towards automation and intelligence. With the adjustment of industry demand and the retreat of the capital bubble, the field of industrial robots is undergoing a new round of reshuffle and competition. Domestic industrial robots are breaking through. "The sales volume of industrial robots in 2019 will continue to decline compared to 2018, but this is not only caused by the industrial robot industry itself, but is also affected by the entire economic environment and economic cycle." An industry that did not want to be named People said to CV intelligence.

The Minister of Industry and Information Technology Miao Wei also pointed out at the World Robot Conference that since the beginning of this year, due to the impact of the international economic development environment, the growth of global industrial robots has slowed. In addition, data from the National Bureau of Statistics of August showed that the year-on-year decline in China's industrial robot production has further increased, which is the 12th consecutive month of negative growth since September 2018. Among the founders of a number of industrial robot companies interviewed by CV Intelligence, they expressed their frustration and acceptance of the current state of industry development.

Counterattack of industrial robots in the AI era is underway

As we all know, in the global scope, the streamlined operation of automobile production is more suitable for the introduction of robots. At the same time, automotive companies have rich capital, and their welding and spraying processes are suitable for robots to improve product quality and ultimately reduce costs. Based on such prerequisites, the automotive industry has naturally become the industry with the earliest application of industrial robots, the largest number of applications, and the most powerful applications in the world. In addition, China is the world's largest 3C manufacturing base, with strong demand for automation upgrades, which is second only to the industrial robot market in the automotive industry.

It is understood that in China's domestic industrial robot application field, the total proportion of automobiles and 3C industries is close to 60%. It is most directly related to the decline in sales of industrial robots. In the past two years, the sales of the automotive industry and smart devices have fallen sharply. This causality further confirms the reality of declining sales. Of course, it is optimistic that during the interview with CV Intelligence, many times asked, “Does an independent innovative industrial robot based in China mean that these startups will abandon the international market in the short term?”

According to Liu Peichao, CEO of Yuejiang Technology, from the launch of the first generation of DOBOT magicians to today's fully-perceived industrial robots, collaborative robots and other world-class performance robot products, Yuejiang Industrial Robots has become the annual export volume of domestic branded industrial robots in 2018 NO. 1. Greatly increased the global market share of domestic lightweight intelligent robotic arms. Li Linzi, CEO of Whalang Technology, also mentioned that while the domestic retail warehouse for light industrial products was successful, the products of Whalang have also attracted more and more attention from foreign markets, and expanding overseas markets has become an important part of Whalang .

At the same time, the International Federation of Robotics report shows that in 2019, China is expected to export 30,000 multi-functional robots, an increase of about 15% year-on-year. It can be seen that domestic industrial robots are really accelerating the pace of going to sea. It is worth mentioning that the 3C industry has a wide range of robot applications, and it is difficult for foreign brands to replicate their experience in the automotive industry. Domestic companies have achieved partial overtaking, which is the best opportunity to narrow the gap. This also reflects the original strength of China in the field of industrial robots from the side.

Industrial robots have shifted from the automotive 3C industry to electric vehicle, medical, military, and other industries, which have become the trend of industrial development. For example, the demand for industrial robots in China's metal manufacturing and chemical industries has reached a localization rate of 60% -70%. It is not difficult to predict that emerging fields will become the new starting point of China's industrial robots. According to Sullivan data, in 2017, China's industrial robot application areas, metal casting, rubber plastics, food and beverages accounted for about 12.3%, 11.8%, 6.5%, respectively.

More startups see opportunities in other industries, such as the rubber and plastics industry, food and beverage, chemical, foundry, sewing and other industries. They look forward to opening up new markets and then achieving cornering overtaking. Li Linzi explained to CV Intelligence, "The company ’s products have undergone a new exploration this year, and they have begun to build an ecological model. The three parties can each make a profit. "

He also said that there are still many investment institutions to contact actively this year, and Capital's enthusiasm for original industrial robots has not weakened. Yan Hua, CEO of Fangshi Robot, also said, "This year's business focus is mainly on vertical industry applications. Although the market environment is not good, the company is exploring at the established pace and is not affected by the environment.