Currently, widespread consensus holds that China is still some distance away from achieving Industry 4.0, and that robots are a key technology for domestic automated production. The "China Robotics Industry Development White Paper (2016)" shows that domestically produced industrial robots are still primarily low- and mid-range products, mostly four- and three-axis robots used for handling and loading and unloading. However, fields like automotive manufacturing and welding require high-end industrial robots with six or more axes, a market still dominated by Japanese, European, and American companies.

How can the robotics industry break through this challenge? Liqun Automation's strategy is to build an ecosystem. The company stated that through strategic partnerships and project development, it will establish a collaborative supply ecosystem involving agents, service providers, integrators, manufacturers, and supporting suppliers. Furthermore, the company will increase R&D investment to improve and supplement its product line and robotics peripherals.

This view is shared by Professor Li Zexiang of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, whose students include Liqun Automation CEO Shi Jinbo and DJI drone founder Wang Tao. Li Zexiang believes that the current robotics industry urgently needs collaboration across the entire industry chain. Each industry must leverage its strengths, complement each other, and work closely together to form a healthy industrial ecosystem. This will enable the Chinese robotics industry to develop further and enable China's manufacturing industry to achieve branded manufacturing. For example, the US chip industry and the Swiss watch industry each rely on talent development, core components, equipment systems, and branded manufacturing. The same is true of HKUST's robotics industry: "Talent is cultivated by HKUST, core component companies include Googol Technology, equipment systems are managed by Liqun Automation, and branded manufacturing is managed by DJI. Numerous small and medium-sized enterprises are also being incubated, forming a collaborative ecosystem." The domestic robotics industry could emulate this.

To further develop high-end robotics algorithms and intelligent robotics applications, Liqun Automation yesterday hired Professor Frank C. Park of Seoul National University as its chief scientist and signed a joint training program for robotics service professionals with Lianshuo School. Lianshuo will leverage its educational platform and network to continuously provide Liqun with specialized talent specialized in Liqun robotics applications. Shi Jinbo stated that this program not only serves Liqun but also aims to share resources with partners in need of robotics professionals.