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Robots from China: What You Need to Know Before Collaborating with Vendors
China, Foshan, January, 2025
Recently, our team returned from a trip to China. The purpose of the trip was to accept robots for one of our industrial automation projects. In this article, we would like to share our overall impressions of the trip and discuss the specifics of working with Chinese vendors.
Ivan Pilyugin
Director of Innovation at MPI Cloud
The Chinese are friendly and hardworking, but the language barrier complicates communication, as few people speak English.
At the same time, we noted that due to the high competition in the labor market, caused by overpopulation, companies hire only highly qualified specialists. There is virtually no talent shortage in China, and if an employee does not meet the standards or a more competent candidate appears, they can be replaced. These tough conditions and overtime work contribute to natural attrition and expertise growth, ensuring high product quality.
On the other hand, the Chinese mindset is still shaped by the influence of poverty. In cities, one can observe the coexistence of slums and modern skyscrapers in close proximity. Many people live in less affluent areas but work in large technological offices. This characteristic is reflected in the combination of high technology with simplicity. As a result, not all companies strive to perfect their products. For Chinese manufacturers, the main criterion is the functionality of the product, rather than its perfection. This often affects the durability of goods, their assembly, and software quality.
At the same time, we noted that due to the high competition in the labor market, caused by overpopulation, companies hire only highly qualified specialists. There is virtually no talent shortage in China, and if an employee does not meet the standards or a more competent candidate appears, they can be replaced. These tough conditions and overtime work contribute to natural attrition and expertise growth, ensuring high product quality.
On the other hand, the Chinese mindset is still shaped by the influence of poverty. In cities, one can observe the coexistence of slums and modern skyscrapers in close proximity. Many people live in less affluent areas but work in large technological offices. This characteristic is reflected in the combination of high technology with simplicity. As a result, not all companies strive to perfect their products. For Chinese manufacturers, the main criterion is the functionality of the product, rather than its perfection. This often affects the durability of goods, their assembly, and software quality.
An important feature of Chinese vendors is their narrow specialization, which is not always suitable for full automation of complex manufacturing processes and warehouses.
Chinese companies primarily view robotics as moving objects from point A to point B. However, if the route is more complex, they encounter difficulties. They offer standard solutions that increase the number of robots and reduce the throughput of the warehouse or production. This requires significant adjustments to the scenarios, which is only possible with deep expertise and oversight from the client.
Another challenge is the closed nature of Chinese vendors regarding their software. They do not always provide SDKs, which limits the integration of their robots with external systems. As a result, it becomes difficult to ensure the interaction of various types of robots within a facility, including forklifts, stackers, pilot robots, and 3D shuttles.
During our market research, we managed to find a manufacturer with whom we were able to agree on providing documentation, but its volume was limited, and many details had to be worked out directly during the testing process on the production floor.
During our market research, we managed to find a manufacturer with whom we were able to agree on providing documentation, but its volume was limited, and many details had to be worked out directly during the testing process on the production floor.
Overall, the Chinese are reliable partners, especially considering the lack of alternatives for cooperation in high-tech sectors for Russia, as Indian companies rarely manufacture and supply high-tech equipment, and Western counterparts are several times more expensive.
Moreover, China has access to patents from leading global robot manufacturers and component suppliers, which allows it to rapidly develop technologies. Chinese companies face no issues with components, as they supply them worldwide, including to Europe and America. All of the above makes China a key player in the industrial robotics market at the moment.
Moreover, China has access to patents from leading global robot manufacturers and component suppliers, which allows it to rapidly develop technologies. Chinese companies face no issues with components, as they supply them worldwide, including to Europe and America. All of the above makes China a key player in the industrial robotics market at the moment.
Nevertheless, working with Chinese vendors requires a careful approach. It is necessary to discuss all the details in advance and closely monitor the entire process. Otherwise, there is a risk of receiving products that formally meet the requirements but, in practice, need modifications, leading to additional costs.
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