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China's robot revolution, at your service

It is making strides in the field of robotics and accompanying technologies such as AI - but still years behind the West

iPal (right) is a social robot that is designed to offer care and companionship to children and the elderly. KeeKo the robot (left) at a kindergarten in Hebei. It can play games with children, dance, sing, read stories, have a conversation with young
Robots may soon be ubiquitous in China, with the country’s push to increase their production and use. PHOTO: VCG
iPal (right) is a social robot that is designed to offer care and companionship to children and the elderly. KeeKo the robot (left) at a kindergarten in Hebei. It can play games with children, dance, sing, read stories, have a conversation with young
A robot at a parking facility. As labour costs increase, there is enormous demand for the use of robots in China. PHOTO: VCG
Robots at the City Social Welfare Centre in Hangzhou. China is in a big hurry to develop its robotics capabilities because of an ageing population and a slowing birth rate.
Robots at the City Social Welfare Centre in Hangzhou. China is in a big hurry to develop its robotics capabilities because of an ageing population and a slowing birth rate. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
iPal (right) is a social robot that is designed to offer care and companionship to children and the elderly. KeeKo the robot (left) at a kindergarten in Hebei. It can play games with children, dance, sing, read stories, have a conversation with young
KeeKo the robot (above) at a kindergarten in Hebei. It can play games with children, dance, sing, read stories, have a conversation with young pupils and even do mathematics. The robot has the intelligence level of a five-year-old child. PHOTOS: EPA-EFE
iPal (right) is a social robot that is designed to offer care and companionship to children and the elderly. KeeKo the robot (left) at a kindergarten in Hebei. It can play games with children, dance, sing, read stories, have a conversation with young
A “police” robot (above) on the streets in China. PHOTOS: EPA-EFE
iPal (right) is a social robot that is designed to offer care and companionship to children and the elderly. KeeKo the robot (left) at a kindergarten in Hebei. It can play games with children, dance, sing, read stories, have a conversation with young
iPal (above) is a social robot that is designed to offer care and companionship to children and the elderly. PHOTO: REUTERS
Danson Cheong China Correspondent In Chongqing
Updated
Published
September 25, 2018 at 5:00 AM
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A small crowd has gathered around Ms Feng Zhulin's stall at the Smart China Expo in Chongqing, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the spherical object she is holding aloft.

It is a robot called Zhiban. Questions about the volleyball-size machine come quickly.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 25, 2018, with the headline China's robot revolution, at your service. Subscribe

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