Shanghai eyes robot industry

The municipal government of Shanghai has listed robots as one of its major industries in the coming years, generating up to 20 billion yuan ($3.2 billion) by 2015, an official said on Tuesday.

The 14th China International Industry Fair will take place from Nov 6 to 10 in Shanghai and is expected to attract 1,648 exhibitors.

One of the highlights of this year’s fair is that many robot makers will showcase their state-of-the-art products. Industry robot experts such as ABB will exhibit their robot technology, Dai Haibo, director of the Shanghai Commission of Economy and Information Technology, said during a press conference.

According to Dai, 26.8 percent of the exhibitors are local companies, 47.8 percent are from the Chinese mainland outside Shanghai and the rest come from 23 countries and regions including the US and Germany.