China's robot makers ignore missed targets but increase for 2016

Despite feeling the effects of China's economic slowdown and missing many of their 2015 targets, Chinese industrial robot manufacturers remain intent on raising and even doubling their production targets for 2016, even though reports today predict another challenging year ahead. According to a 2015-2017 robots-for-workers action plan, published by the provincial government of Guangdong, a new drive for using robots in is expected in 1,950 companies, starting with industries like autos, home appliances, textiles, electronics and manufacturing of construction materials. While the Chinese Government is expected to shore up confidence by introducing more capital and policies to support the robot-for-worker scheme, some smaller manufacturers are becoming cautious and lowering their robotics budgets, as in some companies the cost of buying one robot outweighs the potential salary savings from two employees. 

Robotic arms are busy working on an assembly line at Chinese automaker Geely’s factory in Linghai, in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, in this file photo. Makers of industrial robots in southern Guangdong say missed targets are now commonplace despite a government plan to prop up the industry amid the economic slowdown. Photo: Xinhua