Robots almost like human

With such a large market potential, robot companies are springing up like bamboo shoots in spring. SpaceH is one of 400 companies that registered in 2014, but globally there are fewer than 10 major robot companies.

Since 2013, China has become the world's largest robot market. However, about 75 percent of the domestic market share is taken up by international giants: ABB, Fanuc, Yaskawa and Kaku.

Experts say that to compete with these industrial leaders, Chinese companies should pay more attention to innovation and diversified competition.

In terms of robotic science and technology, China has made progress in many areas.

In July 2014, the robot team from Zhejiang University beat Carnegie Mellon University at the Federation of International Robot-soccer Association Cup, and defended the championship.

In December 2013, China sent Jade Rabbit Rover to the moon. The rover can observe the surrounding environment on the moon and plan its roaming route, and can turn away from slopes above 20 degrees, rocks taller than 20 centimeters and impact craters bigger than 2 meters in diameter. To better work on the moon, Jade Rabbit went into hibernation every 14 days due to the huge temperature difference between day and night. Jade Rabbit would wake up automatically, but broke down once during the mission.

"Our robotic technology indeed has reached advanced international levels in some aspects, but generally speaking we are lagging behind," says Wang Shuo, researcher at Institute of Automation, China Academy of Sciences.

Zhu Shiqiang says China's robot manufacturers have yet to master the skill of producing the core parts of industrial robots, such as joint reducers and sensors.

"Even if we can produce industrial robots on our own, their reliability is not as good as those by international leading companies," Zhu says.

Zhu says if China wants to develop robotics as an industry, more attention must be paid to the research and development of products, such as technology and practicality and not only pure scientific research.

Wang and Zhu emphasize the importance of exploring new routes for global competition and the research and development of products.

Wang says the big four robot companies dominate the auto industry, so domestic companies can look for opportunities in other industries.

For Zhu, Chinese researchers should stop following others. "We should try to find new routes. For example, if we cannot produce good-quality joint reducers in a short time, maybe we should try to create some new ways to replace them."