Yuejiang says 20 carmakers use its robots

Shenzhen Yuejiang Technology Co., one of the leading global providers of collaborative robots, said that as many as 20 key carmakers in the world are using its intelligent robotic arms in their production.

Shenzhen Yuejiang said in a statement August 5 that its products are widely used by both domestic and foreign auto firms such as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Buick, Renault, Mazda, BAIC Foton, Valeo, BYD, BMW, Porsche, Geely, Toyota, SAIC-GM, SAIC-GM Wuling, Nissan, and Subaru in stamping, welding, painting, final assembly, and inspection.

In today’s automotive manufacturing, rapid technological advancement and diverse needs have placed higher requirements on automakers, including flexibility in production, enhanced automation levels on the assembly line, and the construction of intelligent systems. 

With its advantages of high precision, greater safety, flexibility, and high performance, Shenzhen Yuejiang’s products have been widely used in critical automotive manufacturing processes, ranging from automotive parts processing to complete vehicle assembly, the company said in its statement.

This has helped achieve high-level automation across all scenarios in automotive manufacturing, significantly improving production efficiency and product quality while creating a safe working environment for employees, it added.

Founded in July 2015 in Shenzhen by Liu Peichao, a Shandong University graduate, with his classmates, Shenzhen Yuejiang launched a campaign for a desktop robotic arm called Dobot at the U.S. crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. 

The campaign was successful and the company raised US$620,000 in just fifty days, more than the initial goal of US$36,000, according to a report by news agency Xinhua. The success of the Kickstarter campaign led to an additional US$3 million in third-round funding for the startup in April 2016, making it one of the most valuable robotics startups in China then.

In 2016, the company released its second robot arm, the Magician, which was a bigger arm with the precision to handle laser engraving. A year later, a calligraphy performance by the Magician was featured in the CCTV New Year's Gala broadcast, drawing further publicity.

Industrial robotic arms, which can be as large as a standing person, have been applied to a broad swathe of heavy manufacturing work. But Liu wants to bring robotic arms into everyday life, to help with practical daily tasks. 

“We started with smart robotic arms and want to sell to ordinary families, just like household appliances,” Liu once said.

Shenzhen Yuejiang’s products can be put to a variety of uses depending on the end attachment used, from writing calligraphy to putting butter on your toast. 

Thanks to its remarkable breakthroughs in vision, control, servo drive, and robotic body, Shenzhen Yuejiang’s products are widely used in manufacturing, education, health care, and new retailing sectors. Today, the firm’s cobots and solutions can be found in automation in more than 100 countries and regions.

The global robotic arms sector is rapidly evolving, with substantial growth and advancements achieved in recent years.

The robotic arms are mainly used in manufacturing, where they play a crucial role in tasks such as assembly, welding, and material handling. These robotic arms enhance efficiency, precision, and speed in production processes, leading to increased productivity and cost-effectiveness for industries. Their versatility allows for automation in various sectors, including automotive, electronics, and aerospace, contributing to the optimization of manufacturing workflows and operational performance.

A report released by research firm Data Bridge Market Research last month showed that the global robotic arms market was valued at US$29.89 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$84.66 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.90% during the forecast period of 2024 to 2031. 

The report lists some of the major players in the global robotic arm market and most are from Japan such as Fanuc Corp, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Electric, with Shenzhen Yuejiang the only Chinese firm muscling into the list.

According to Shanghai-based China Insights Consultancy, Shenzhen Yuejiang has the most registered patents in the global robotic arms market. The firm holds 613 registered patents, including 186 invention patents, 302 utility model patents, and 125 design patents, with an additional 245 patent applications submitted and pending approval. 

China's share of the global robotic arms market is expected to increase from 26.3% in 2023 to 37.2% in 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 46.5% from 2023 to 2028, according to China Insights Consultancy.

Based on its shipments in 2023, Shenzhen Yuejiang ranked the second largest industry player only behind Denmark's Universal Robots, holding a global market share of 13%, and was the largest company in China.