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China accelerating toward robot-dominated future with $2.1 artificial intelligence technology park idea

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The Chinese government has unveiled plans to build a massive technology park through which the country’s leaders probably want to see the development of world-leading robotics and artificial intelligence technologies of the future.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is demanding that scientists and other boffins in the world’s most populous nation achieve a “major breakthrough” in AI technology by 2025.

Jinping says he dreams of China becoming a global leader in advanced technologies and has ordered his politburo to prioritise computing and the industrial sector.  [Read more…] about China accelerating toward robot-dominated future with $2.1 artificial intelligence technology park idea

David v Goliath in Chinese car market: Nio’s powerful slingshot

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By Edward Tse, Gao Feng Advisory

The Chinese vehicle market is not only the largest in the world (sales of 28 million units in 2016) but it also offers the highest number of brands (130).

More and more new players – most of them local producers – are entering the field.

Globally China is establishing itself not only as the leading market for new-energy vehicles, but also for connectivity, autonomous driving and totally new mobility concepts.  [Read more…] about David v Goliath in Chinese car market: Nio’s powerful slingshot

The big feature: Urban mobility in China – why car sharing is set to take off

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By Klaus Schmitz, Arthur D. Little

China’s dominating chauffer companies, Didi and Uber China, merged in 2016, wrapping up a history of fierce competition for the city-mobility market.

The two are now left with a huge shared customer pool that knows a lot about their choices for mobility.

The new phase being ushered in is car sharing, which is poised for explosive growth across China.

In this article, Klaus Schmitz of consultancy firm Arthur D Little examines the market dynamics and the major hurdles, and makes predictions for the future of the Chinese car-sharing scene.  [Read more…] about The big feature: Urban mobility in China – why car sharing is set to take off

Chinese robot makers produced more than 100,000 industrial robots in first 10 months of 2017

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Chinese robot makers manufactured more than 100,000 industrial robots in the first 10 months of this year, according to the Communist Chinese government’s propaganda mouthpiece Xinhua. 

The unstoppable growth indicates a massive increase in output of 70 per cent compared with the previous year, says Xinhua.

And if the output of the two months of 2017 not yet counted – November and December – were to be included, the total production is likely to surpass 120,000.  [Read more…] about Chinese robot makers produced more than 100,000 industrial robots in first 10 months of 2017

The Chinese way: From ‘teaching’ to ‘teaching and learning’

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By Edward Tse, Gao Feng Advisory

A few weeks ago, I had a meeting with the APAC head of a major Fortune 500 company at his office in Shanghai.

He told me that he had arrived in China around six months ago and was sent from headquarters to run their Asia business with a particular focus on China.

He said he thought he would come to China to “teach”.  [Read more…] about The Chinese way: From ‘teaching’ to ‘teaching and learning’

Fanuc limits sales as it struggles to deal with too many orders

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Fanuc is struggling to cope with the number of orders it is receiving so it is placing some limits on sales, according to a report on Nikkei. 

The world’s largest robot maker is benefitting from the rapid growth in demand for robotics in automation systems worldwide, especially in China.

As a group, Fanuc is expecting profits to increase by 37 per cent in the current fiscal year, rising to $1.83 billion.  [Read more…] about Fanuc limits sales as it struggles to deal with too many orders

Siasun launches personal assistance robot for elderly

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Chinese company Siasun Robot and Automation has launched a new personal assistance robot for the elderly, according to a report on the China Daily website. 

Siasun, which claims to be China’s largest robotics and automation company, mostly manufactures machinery used in industrial settings.

But the company clearly believes the market for assistive robots is set to grow and plans to produce 2,000 service robots this year.  [Read more…] about Siasun launches personal assistance robot for elderly

China’s abundance of big data is helping the development of artificial intelligence

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By Edward Tse, CEO of Gao Feng 

Tekes Future Watch China – Artificial Intelligence is the latest in a series of reports prepared by Gao Feng for Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation.

The report is aimed at helping Tekes to study China’s digital landscape and at highlighting strategic implications for both Finnish companies and policymakers.

After decades of development, artificial intelligence has become one of the most disruptive technology enablers in today’s exponential age.   [Read more…] about China’s abundance of big data is helping the development of artificial intelligence

Smart manufacturing to play central role at China International Industry Fair

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The concept of smart manufacturing is to play a central role at this year’s China Industrial Industry Fair.

Smart manufacturing is a term used to mean any manufacturing system which uses advanced technologies – such as robotics, automation and network connectivity.

Other related terms are Industry 4.0, intelligent manufacturing, and lights-out manufacturing.  [Read more…] about Smart manufacturing to play central role at China International Industry Fair

Fanuc reports more than 40 per cent increase in profits on strength of China sales

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The world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer, Fanuc, says its profits have increased by more than 40 per cent as a result of strong demand from China, according to a report on Nikkei. 

The company is currently reporting its financial performance for the six-month period up to September.

It says its profits for the period were $750 million, which is more than a 42 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.  [Read more…] about Fanuc reports more than 40 per cent increase in profits on strength of China sales