China’s robotics sector has seen remarkable growth, with cutting-edge technologies and diverse applications spanning both heavy-duty and light-duty tasks. This booming industry reflects a constant quest for innovation and technological progress on a large scale.
At the heart of this boom is Shanghai’s Zhangjiang Valley, a 4.2-kilometer industrial park dedicated to developing robot manufacturing lines. The hub focuses on high-precision, high-value links, with the participation of industry leaders, contributing to the country’s economic growth.
A visit to these robot factories reveals the complex manufacturing and assembly steps. About 90 percent of the raw materials are sourced locally, while the remaining 10 percent are imported from various countries. The assembly process, involving both large and small components—joints, arms, feet—takes about a month to complete. Each robotic arm can lift up to 50 kilograms.
In a technology factory near the center of Shanghai, about 60 employees, including 30 programmers, are working on integrating software and hardware at various stages. This process ends with the installation of front cameras and sensors on the hands and feet, followed by rigorous tests to ensure the robot’s proper functioning and avoid any risk to the user, who controls the robot remotely via an electronic panel.
An engineer expressed his willingness to cooperate with Egyptian engineers and innovators in the field of robotics, with the aim of exporting this technology to the Middle East. He also confirmed that one of these robots weighs about 70 kilograms and costs about $5,000 without the software, specifying that the robot can be used for firefighting and patient care.
In the medical field, robotics is making significant progress with applications in hand, foot and speech rehabilitation following strokes and accidents. Hand function is restored through exact replicas of the hand, combined with physical training, promoting recovery from paralysis and stimulating the development of the use of remaining muscles.
Under the slogan “Hand in Hand”, a specialized robot has been developed to perform minimally invasive surgeries on coronary arteries, nerves, tumors and blood vessels. Oubing’s team has successfully obtained more than 100 patents covering all types of minimally invasive, cardiovascular, cerebral and neurological surgeries with high precision, eliminating medical liability.
Medical robot patent experts are working on artificial intelligence and remote diagnosis. This breakthrough was achieved at Dongfang Hospital through the use of the first standard surgical robot using technology similar to the flexibility of surgical instruments.
Zhangjiang Valley focuses on developing medical robots for interventional procedures in the middle vascular cavity. These robots rely on three-dimensional virtual reality for adult urological surgeries, gynecological diseases and heart failure. Tongji University has achieved remarkable success in this field.
The dexterous technological hand, operated by robots, contains 16 built-in miniature electric cylinders, six active degrees of freedom and 12 joints with a hybrid control algorithm and millimeter-precise positioning. The hand can move each finger independently according to external commands.
Meanwhile, China has demonstrated its technological advancement with “Allengo”, a four-legged, multi-eyed inspection robot designed to navigate rough terrain, fires and high-explosive areas. The robot was developed by the Shanghai Institute of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Industry Systems.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has said that robotics is the cornerstone of manufacturing, research and development, and is a symbol of China’s scientific and technological innovation and a testament to its advanced level in manufacturing.