Smart robotics is a prioritized industry for development in Dongguan. To accelerate the growth of the intelligent robotics industry, Dongguan plans to introduce relevant policies to nurture and expand the industry. Recently, according to information from the official website of the Dongguan Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau, the “Several Measures to Support the Development of the Intelligent Robotics Industry in Dongguan (Draft for Soliciting Opinions)” is currently open for public feedback.
It is proposed in the “Several Measures” that efforts should be made to realize the following goals by the year 2025, namely the core intelligent robotics industry in Dongguan achieving a business revenue exceeding 8 billion yuan, driving the overall business revenue of related industries beyond 80 billion yuan, an annual production of industrial robots surpassing 20,000 units.
Promoting coordinated and scaled development of the robotics industry
Intelligent manufacturing is the inevitable trend in the development of high-end equipment manufacturing and is the necessary path for Dongguan to transition from being a major manufacturing city to a powerful manufacturing city. Intelligent manufacturing is inseparable from smart robots, which constitute a crucial aspect of intelligent manufacturing development. Robots play a key role in driving Dongguan's manufacturing towards mechanization, automation, integration, and intelligence.
The “Several Measures” propose implementing and reinforcing the “Chain Chief System” work mechanism for intelligent robots. This involves selecting enterprises with a core leadership role as “chain leaders” and providing increased policy support for these “chain leaders” and key enterprises in the industry chain, especially in areas such as the first unit (set) and technological transformations. This aims to promote collaborative and innovative development within the industry chain.
Based on the characteristics and industrial advantages of the robotics industry in Dongguan, the city plans to provide targeted policy support by lowering thresholds, increasing funding ratios, and raising funding amounts. This support is aimed at attracting and nurturing humanoid robot enterprises, fostering industry convergence and development. Dongguan will strengthen the construction of major platforms for the humanoid robot industry, promote cross-domain collaboration among core components, artificial intelligence, new materials, and other enterprises, conduct joint research on technology applications, and enhance the synergy and adaptability between hardware and software.
To guide the development of industry clustering, the “Several Measures” propose the construction of several intelligent robot theme parks. This initiative aims to enhance the industrial spatial carrying capacity and create industry agglomeration areas for the incubation, scientific research, and advanced manufacturing of the intelligent robot industry. The goal is to attract global companies across the robot industry chain, including humanoid robots, to establish a presence and layout in Dongguan.
Dongguan will prioritize ensuring the spatial needs for land for key intelligent robot enterprises. The city plans to implement rent and land price discounts to support the investment settlement of key projects in the sector.
Accelerating breakthroughs in technological innovation, and strengthening the leadership of scenario applications
Robots need to be design well and utilize well. They should be applied in various industries and fields, acquiring a diverse set of operational skills. The key lies in the innovative research, development, and design of robots. The “Several Measures” propose strengthening technological innovation breakthroughs in the intelligent robot industry and supporting research and development in key areas.
Dongguan will organize and implement the “Foundation” project in the intelligent robot industry surrounding key components such as servo motors, reducers, controllers, sensors, and related core technologies of robotic systems. This initiative aims to support companies in tackling technological challenges and addressing weaknesses within the robotic industry. For eligible intelligent robot enterprise research and development projects, a maximum reward of 10 million yuan can be provided.
Dongguan will also establish key platforms to support the construction of public platforms such as intelligent robot product pilot verification platforms and shared processing centers. These platforms will provide prototype trial production, processing technology, and solutions for the production of high-precision components for robot enterprises and research institutions.
Policies supporting the first unit (set) in the province and city, technological transformation, digital transformation, specialization and innovation, and single-item champions will also be tilted towards the intelligent robot industry.
With continuous breakthroughs in technology, the application fields and scope of robots are constantly expanding. The “Several Measures” specify that there will be a push for demonstration applications across a thousand industries.
In conjunction with intelligent manufacturing, intelligent construction, smart healthcare, intelligent logistics, and smart business, a batch of innovative robot application scenarios will be made accessible and the matchmaking between the supply and demand of robot scenarios will be organized. Efforts will be made to promote the first trials and applications of innovative achievements in intelligent robots. Each year, a batch of municipal-level outstanding robot application scenarios will be selected, and those with outstanding application effects and strong influence will be promoted. Support will be extended to recommended companies in applying for outstanding robot application scenarios from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, intelligent manufacturing demonstration projects, and provincial intelligent manufacturing ecosystem partnership projects.
According to the “Several Measures”, Dongguan will intensify efforts to attract leading talents in the intelligent robotics industry, especially in humanoid robotics. The city encourages higher education institutions and vocational colleges to develop professional disciplines in areas such as robot engineering, industrial robot technology, artificial intelligence, and others. This initiative aims to promote research and talent reserves in cutting-edge fields, including humanoid robotics.
In terms of finance, leveraging the high-quality development fund system in Dongguan, the city will establish a sub-fund with a primary investment focus on the intelligent robotics sector. This move aims to further increase investment in local startup and high-potential intelligent robotics enterprises, providing equity financing services for these businesses. The initiative supports several intelligent robotics companies in obtaining financing through initial public offerings (IPOs). Additionally, interest subsidies will be provided for credit loans related to accounts receivable for intelligent robotics companies. The goal is to encourage financial institutions to innovate and offer preferential terms.
