Yaskawa Electric collaborates with Chinese robot manufacturers to supply drive control units to robot manufacturers in China and to develop robot control technology, preventing companies from competing for market segments. The dramatic growth of robots made by Chinese manufacturers is expected as a result of cumulative development of the same technology in different directions, leading to the enhancement of Chinese manufacturers’ competitive potential which has fallen behind Japanese and European manufacturers all along.

Yaskawa has sent its management team and robotic engineers to work with manufacturers in China to supply drive control units, following the agreements on business collaboration and robotics market segmentation. In addition, the company provides technical support for drive control unit buyers. For example, the company has made some adjustments to its operation to suit the operation of the destination company. 

The first company to receive drive control unit supplies is a joint venture company established by a Chinese company and Shenzhen Everwin Precision Technology. Later, the target market will be expanded to cover manufacturers with no joint venture. It is expected that it will finally become large business collaboration. 

In the past, Yaskawa distributed control systems and motors to a number of robot manufacturers; however, the market was limited to its partner robot manufacturers. Mizuho Bank has anticipated the 2.5 times growth of robotics market in China from 2016 to 2022. Yaskawa, therefore, decided to supply drive control units in addition to their existing products. 

On the other hand, robot manufacturers in China have realized that the support from Yaskawa will help elevate their products and narrow the technological gap between the company and other companies in western countries and Japan. When the time comes, the competitiveness in robotics market in China will firmly increase.