Tech woes stymie robot sector growth

As a manufacturing power, China has one of the fastest growing industrial robot markets in the world.

Official figures show that robot sales in China increased 36 percent in 2013 to over 36,500 units. It's also estimated that over 4,000 local robotics companies were in business by the end of 2014.

However, as in China's motor industry, local robot makers have been facing many problems, including excessive levels of intervention, unwarranted subsidies, lack of industry research support and a shortage of job development opportunities.

According to a recent report, China's robotics industry lacks market-oriented products, technological innovations, creative ideas and solid achievements. Needless to say, local robot enterprises are still not competitive on the international stage. Some argue that the government should motivate and reward research fellows who develop core technologies with broad market applications. Only when higher quality technologies are introduced and robot manufacturing standards are unified will Chinese robot producers be able to achieve global recognition.