At the recent high-tech fair that concluded last month, Professor Wei Hongxing from Beihang University unveiled a range of self-developed robotic products, drawing widespread attention. As a pioneer in the field of collaborative robots, he has now partnered with two major players in the robot ecosystem—Intel and Hard Egg—to further enhance his technology.
Known as the "first person to eat crabs" in China's collaborative robot industry, Professor Wei made history in 2015 by launching China's first collaborative robot, breaking the international monopoly in the industrial robotics market. This year, he introduced new robotic solutions, continuing to push the boundaries of innovation.
Recently, Wei Hongxing sat down for an exclusive interview with a reporter from Guangzhou Daily’s all-media team, sharing his journey and vision for the future of robotics.
[Image: AUBO-i5 robot]
Two years ago, Professor Wei introduced the first domestic collaborative robot, which marked a significant milestone in China's automation industry. Unlike traditional industrial robots, which are large, complex, and expensive, collaborative robots—also known as cobots—are designed to work safely alongside humans. They are more compact, easier to program, and equipped with advanced sensors and vision systems, making them ideal for a wide range of applications.
In recent years, the collaborative robot market has grown rapidly, but it was previously dominated by global giants like ABB and KUKA. This posed a risk for China’s manufacturing sector, as reliance on foreign technology could lead to vulnerabilities. In response, Chinese companies began developing their own collaborative robots, with Professor Wei’s AUBO-i5 being the earliest example. It achieved full domestic production of key components and became the first Chinese collaborative robot to pass EU CE and North American NRTL certifications, opening doors to international markets.
[Image: Collaborative robot in action]
Collaborative robots, or cobots, are designed to interact with humans in shared workspaces, enhancing productivity and safety. According to Wei, the rise of these robots is crucial for addressing China’s labor challenges. With the demographic dividend fading, there is a growing need to replace human workers with automated solutions.
Wei also highlighted another critical issue: the security risks associated with using foreign-made robots. He explained, “If these robots have backdoors, they could be hacked or controlled remotely, which poses a serious threat. We need domestically developed, secure, and controllable robotic systems to ensure our future safety.â€
Since the launch of AUBO-i5 in November 2015, Wei’s team has continued to expand its product line, including models like i3, i7, and i10. The i5 model is now in mass production, with 300 units produced monthly. At this year’s Hi-Tech Fair, he announced new products and formed partnerships with leading tech companies like Intel and Hard Egg to refine his core offerings.
His goal is to create the most cost-effective collaborative robot in the world. “We focus on performance, speed, accuracy, and safety,†he said. “Once these requirements are met, we aim to offer competitive pricing so that the cost of a robot is lower than that of a regular worker. This will allow robots to enter factories on a large scale, addressing labor shortages.â€
Looking ahead, Wei envisions a future where robots evolve into smart, adaptable tools, much like smartphones. “We want to build an ecosystem where developers and partners can create apps and custom applications using our open interfaces,†he said. “This is the direction we believe industrial robots should take.â€
Professor Wei Hongxing, born in 1974, is an associate professor at Beihang University and holds a doctorate in engineering. His AUBO-i5 not only became the first Chinese collaborative robot to gain international certification but also earned him the title of “first person to eat crabs†in the domestic industry.
Source: Ocean Net – Guangzhou Daily
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