In China, the robot industry is being put into a frenzy by the promises of a $5 trillion market.
Robots Take Center Stage at Beijing Robotics Conference
A lighthearted atmosphere pervaded the annual World Robotics Conference, held from Friday, August 8th to Tuesday, August 12th, in Beijing, just before the World Robot Games, scheduled from Friday, August 15th to Sunday, August 17th inside Beijing’s National Stadium, which hosted the Olympic Games in 2008. While officials in short sleeves and black trousers strolled solemnly between the booths, hordes of schoolchildren in their school colors rushed towards the entertainment.
Here, a humanoid robot takes penalty kicks. Over there, two others engage in a boxing match. Nearby, a hip-hop battle mixing robots and professional dancers begins. Further on, LimX presents its scaled-down model of the AT-ST, the mechanical chicken from Star Wars. Named Tron 1, it recovers after each kick from the presenter. Its designers intend it, for now, for “industrial exploration, education, training, and academic research.”
Beyond the entertainment, this large annual exhibition offers Chinese robotics players an exceptional showcase to attract public and private investors, potential clients, and young talent. In just a few years, and thanks to the Made in China 2025 plan, launched in 2015 to make China a high-tech manufacturing power, its robotics industry has become one of the most dynamic in the world.
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