Robotic industry advanced

The Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform has also emphasized strengthening cross-regional innovation and industrial coordination, improving the technology commercialization system, and accelerating the development of the region's robotics industry chain.

The initiative aims to enhance the regional robotics ecosystem and promote industrial upgrades across the region.

A key step has been the launch of the Zhongguancun Robotics Innovation Center in Tangshan, Hebei. The center bridges Beijing's R&D capabilities with Tangshan's industrial base and serves as a pilot platform for translating advanced robotics technologies into practical, locally adapted solutions.

Tangshan was chosen for its robust industrial foundation, strategic location within the capital's one-hour transport circle, and growing clusters of robotics-related enterprises. The center complements Beijing's focus on core R&D by acting as a conversion and pilot hub.

"Our goal is to build a platform where Beijing's research results can be adapted to Tangshan's industrial reality, addressing real production challenges while promoting regional technology adoption and industrial upgrading," said Meng Yang, general manager of the Tangshan center.

A prime example is Hebei Huatong Wires and Cables Group, a traditional cable manufacturer facing high-intensity, high-risk production tasks. Previously, workers had to carry aluminum wire blocks weighing 20 to 30 kilograms while wearing 5-kg heat-resistant suits in 80 C furnaces.

Sweat soaked through in just a few minutes, and daily handling of these blocks rarely exceeded four hours due to the extreme physical strain.

The Tangshan center designed fully enclosed safety chambers equipped with air conditioning and heat-insulating panels, allowing continuous robotic operation for up to eight hours with a failure rate below 1 percent.

"Now, you just press a button, and the robot does the work!" Meng said, adding that this automation not only removes workers from dangerous conditions and improves product quality, but also dramatically increases efficiency.

To support international deployment, the system was adapted to meet overseas standards. For the company's factory in South Korea, the center added infrared warning systems and emergency stop interlocks, successfully passing local safety certification.

"Every solution is customized for a specific production scenario, both domestically and internationally,"Meng said, adding this highlights the center's role in bridging Beijing's R&D capabilities with real-world industrial applications.