"This agreement is a breakthrough for the Israeli robotics industry, which is supported by a scientific infrastructure that is among the most advanced in the world in the field of robotics, but lacks the necessary investments to develop innovative products in a developing field that is still finding its way in the global market," says Prof. Zvi Schiller, chairman of the Israel Robotics Association .
After Chinese investments in a variety of sectors in the Israeli industry, especially in high-tech, it is the turn of the robotics industry. In a festive ceremony last week in Tel Aviv, a memorandum of understanding was signed to invest in industrial R&D in robotics to the extent of 20 million dollars. The agreement was signed between the Israeli Robotics Association headed by Prof. Zvi Shiler and a group of investors and the advanced industrial zone of the city of Guangzhou, including government representatives and managers of giant Chinese companies. It includes: establishing a development center in Israel, allocating 20 million dollars as mentioned for industrial R&D in robotics, and starting development projects in Israel for the Chinese industry.
The Chinese economy needs robots
The Chinese economy needs many robots in a variety of fields, and since it recognized the tremendous potential in the connection between Israeli technology and the Chinese market, it is ready to invest significant budgets in this. As part of this cooperation, it was announced in September of this year the establishment of the China-Israel Robotics Institute in Guangzhou (SIRI), which will serve as a gateway to the Chinese market for Israeli industry. An agreement has now been signed for the establishment of the Israeli branch of SIRI, which will initially deal with the establishment of business relationships, the identification of research laboratories and researchers for the joint development of technologies and products, and the creation of training channels for professionals in the industry, and will later grow into a development center in the field of robotics for the Chinese market. The willingness to invest in R&D in Israel sets this initiative apart from other initiatives, which focus mainly on developing business relationships.
"This agreement is a breakthrough for the Israeli robotics industry, which is supported by a scientific infrastructure that is among the most advanced in the world in the field of robotics, but lacks the necessary investments to develop innovative products in a developing field that is still looking for its way in the world market. The direct connection opened to the Chinese market through the China-Israel Robotics Institute and the expected investments in research and development by leading Chinese companies are advancing the Israeli robotics industry to a leading position in the robotics revolution of the 21st century." Says Prof. Zvi Shiler, chairman of the Israeli Robotics Association.
The event was attended by representatives of the investing companies, including: senior managers from Siasun - the leading robotics company in China, and Vanke, the largest real estate company in China that also has needs in the field of robotics. With them came government officials from the Guangzhou City Industrial Zone Administration. From the Israeli side, there were present: Yariv Bacher - Director of the Indochina Department at the Ministry of Economy, Uri Pachter - Director of the International Projects Department at the Export Institute, Danny Katribes - Head of the Foreign Trade Division at the Manufacturers' Association, Peggy Mizrahi, Head of the China Unit at the Export Institute, and senior members of the robotics community including Prof. Moshe Shoham - Technion and founder of Mazor, Dr. Aryeh Perry - President of AUVSI Israel, Rafi Aravat - Founder of Robogroup, Vern Briyar - Director of Civil Robotics in the Aviation Industry.
According to Danny Katribes, head of the foreign trade department at the Manufacturers' Association: "Our main problem in Israel, of the entire Israeli industry in all sectors, is production capacity. Therefore, introducing robotics is one of the ways to increase our production capacity. There are many reasons why China is also moving to robotics, so our needs and the Chinese needs complement each other. I believe that this is the beginning of a very constructive and beneficial cooperation for both parties. "
Why do the Chinese need robots - when there are so many working hands in the giant country?
Zhang Jin, director of marketing at China's largest robotics company Siasun, explained that China is now in a production crisis, because as the world's No. 1 manufacturer, it relied on cheap labor, which is already becoming more expensive. "On this background, we chose to formulate a new production model, which relies on robots. Therefore, the robotics industry is an important strategic target of China and one of the 10 preferred sectors by the Chinese government. Today we stand at 30 industrial robots per 10,000 workers in industry, compared to 62 robots in countries like Japan, hence the potential that still exists in China. At the same time, we are also developing service-providing robots such as: robotic waiters, and estimate that this is a market that will overtake the industrial market. "
Yang Gaofei, a senior manager at the real estate company (construction and property management) Vanke, the largest company in China in its field, also shared his company's needs in the field of robotics: "The construction field needs a lot of working hands and we have a shortage of it, because the young people in China do not want to integrate into the field. The robots will also be able to improve the profit margins of the construction industry. Robots are also intended to be used as security guards, guards and cleaners in the many properties we manage, to stand at the reception in our hotels, to provide care services for the elderly, domestic services in luxury apartments and entertainment in the theme parks we establish, where the robot can interact with the visitors to the park. We are real estate giants but very small in the field of robotics, so we are looking for cooperation with Israel."
The main areas of cooperation in the signed agreement are as stated:
1. Establishment of an Israeli branch of the China-Israel Robotics Institute in Guangzhou
2. Foundation of a fund in the amount of 20 million dollars to invest in joint projects that meet the requirements of the Chinese market
3. Identify investment projects in the robotics industry that are suitable for launch in the Chinese market
4. Development of education and training programs and organization of joint conferences
"Today's meeting is an opening shot for the start of Israeli R&D activity in robotics vis-a-vis the Chinese market. I hope to see the first results of this collaboration at the Israeli robotics conference that will be held in April 2016," said Prof. Schiller.
