China's demand for industrial robots to hit 610,000 by 2018
China's demand for industrial robots stands at 190,000 which makes up 13% of the global total. However, this figure is expected to surge to 610,000 by 2018, bolstered by the country's comparatively low tech (for the moment) manufacturing sector catching up with American and German peers. Hong Kong is a hotbed of robotics research, boasting a number of viable start-ups and successful entities, such as drone manufacturer DJI. 

A drone made by DJI flies in Shenzhen. The company’s founder was educated at the HKUST, and the idea for the start-up was conceived while he was there. Photo: Kyodo