Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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ZF and Foton open joint facility in China to produce automated commercial vehicles

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German automotive components giant ZF Friedrichshafen and Chinese commercial vehicles manufacturer Foton have jointly opened a facility to produce automated commercial vehicles.

The joint plant in Jiaxing will produce automatic commercial vehicle transmissions for the Chinese market, and the partners say they see “excellent market potential for automated commercial vehicles in the next five years”.

At the end of 2016, ZF entered into two joint ventures with Foton, a Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer, to produce and sell commercial vehicle transmissions. [Read more…] about ZF and Foton open joint facility in China to produce automated commercial vehicles

Chinese media clamour suggests restrictions on rare earth metals exports to US

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Chinese media outlets are raising the possibility of restrictions on the export of rare earth metals to the US. 

The move could be the most effective response to US President Donald Trump’s decision to increase and broaden import tariffs on Chinese goods into the country.

According to the South China Morning Post, the ruling Communist Party’s propaganda outlet, People’s Daily, said in a commentary: “The Chinese people would never agree to the US using products made from rare earths exported from China to curb and suppress China’s development.” [Read more…] about Chinese media clamour suggests restrictions on rare earth metals exports to US

Trump trade tariffs to hit $300 billion worth of Chinese goods

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US President Donald Trump’s proposed increase in tariffs will hit $350 billion worth of goods imported from China, according to economic analysts.

Trump announced his intention to impose the additional tariffs recently in a tweet, but the US and China are currently locked in trade talks and there may be some modifications to the proposal.

The effects of his announcement, however, have been far-reaching, and are said to be the reason for the $1 trillion fall in share prices around the world.

[Read more…] about Trump trade tariffs to hit $300 billion worth of Chinese goods

Chinese exporters accuse Trump of not playing by the rules

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Chinese export companies have strongly criticized President Donald Trump for deciding to increase tariffs on imports into the US by another 10 percent, bringing them up to 25 percent for hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of manufactured goods.

Comments reported by the South China Morning Post say Chinese exporters are decrying Trump as a business “killer” who “never plays by the rules”.

One exporter, Liao Yu, who produces bags and suitcases, said: “A 25 per cent [tariff] will kill everyone.”

[Read more…] about Chinese exporters accuse Trump of not playing by the rules

Ekso Bionics in $100 million joint venture to develop the exoskeleton market in Asia

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Ekso Bionics, Inc. is to establish a joint venture to develop and serve the exoskeleton market in China and other Asian markets and to create a global exoskeleton manufacturing centre.

It will partner with Zhejiang Youchuang Venture Capital Investment Co., Ltd (ZYVC) and Zhejiang Silicon Paradise Asset Management Group.

The joint venture will develop, sell and support exoskeleton products into China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, and will be capitalized at greater than $100 million over its term.

[Read more…] about Ekso Bionics in $100 million joint venture to develop the exoskeleton market in Asia

Trump to raise tariffs on China goods to 25 percent

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US President Donald Trump is preparing to raise tariffs on Chinese imports to 25 percent from the current 15 percent.

The levies will affect approximately $350 billion worth of Chinese exports to America.

Trump made the announcement through Twitter. He tweeted: “For 10 months, China has been paying tariffs to the USA of 25 percent on $50 billion dollars of high-tech, and 10 percent on $200 billion of other goods.

[Read more…] about Trump to raise tariffs on China goods to 25 percent

ABB to install 300 painting robots at leading Chinese automaker’s facility

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ABB has signed a formal agreement to install 300 painting robots at a leading Chinese automaker’s facility.

The agreement with SAIC Volkswagen is to provide robotics painting solutions for the first New Energy Vehicle factory of the Volkswagen Group based on the Modular Electric Driver Kit, an automotive platform specifically designed for the mass production of electric vehicles.

Financial details were not disclosed. [Read more…] about ABB to install 300 painting robots at leading Chinese automaker’s facility

Super Micro to avoid Chinese components amid US-China trade war

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Super Micro Computer, one of the world’s largest server manufacturers, has decided to avoid using components manufactured in China, according to a report on Nikkei.

Nikkei reports that Super Micro has instructed its suppliers to move production out of China.

Super Micro says the move is a consequence of the trade dispute between the US and China, in which security concerns raised by the US have also affected other Chinese companies such as Huawei.

[Read more…] about Super Micro to avoid Chinese components amid US-China trade war

NXP teams up with Hawkeye in Chinese automotive radar market

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NXP Semiconductors N.V. has announced a new strategic collaboration and investment agreement with Hawkeye Technology Co., Ltd, a company at the forefront of the Chinese automotive radar sector.

Hawkeye will bring its 77GHz expertise, a team of engineers and a lab complex within Southeast University in Nanjing, China.

Together, the two companies will form a reference design collaboration that uses top engineering talent at Southeast University and NXP’s longstanding radar expertise, to create NXP-based reference designs for the Chinese automotive market.

[Read more…] about NXP teams up with Hawkeye in Chinese automotive radar market

Big industrial robot manufacturers looking to move into China

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yaskawa china
Picture courtesy of Dr Miha Pipan

The huge and growing demand for industrial robots in China is prompting the world’s largest industrial robot makers to look into setting up operations in the country. 

In particular, Japanese companies are said to be profiting from China’s huge increase in demand for industrial robots.

Statistics collated by the Japan Robot Association show that the country exported around $4.4 billion worth of industrial robots to China in 2016.  [Read more…] about Big industrial robot manufacturers looking to move into China