Doria Nan

there_sun@163.com

HAVE you ever thought that one day a member of your household could be a robot that can talk to you, understand your feelings, and cook you breakfast? This is what Zhou Jian, founder and CEO of UBTECH Robotics Corp. is working on: to realize a more intelligent way of life by creating an intelligent robot that can interact with, help and serve people.

After studying in Germany in 2003, Zhou soon became the China Manager of The WEINIG Group, a German company that is dedicated to solid wood and panel processing. Zhou has successfully founded many factories and technology companies in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Shanghai, among others. He has millions of dollars in fixed assets and 10 million yuan (US$1.5 million) in annual profits.

At an exhibition held in Japan in 2008, a humanoid robot captured Zhou’s imagination. He was inspired by the idea that a robot could change our lives if we could put one into every home and truly integrate intelligent robots into daily life.

After Zhou returned to Shenzhen, he started to build a team to develop a humanoid robot. Digital servos are the core hardware of humanoid robots, serving as joints to ensure the humanoid robot is extremely flexible and can move just like a person. This technology is dominated by Japan, South Korea and Switzerland, and carries a high price that makes a robot with 20 servos cost over 20,000 yuan.

The invention process is both costly and time-consuming. It has taken Zhou five years to develop a better-performing and more stable digital servo that could be suitable for mass production. He has invested millions of dollars, and sold houses and luxury cars as well as his shares in his former firm. “In 2012, the company was left in the lurch, as I had no money and relatives and friends refused to lend me money,” Zhou said.

When Google bought several startups to formally enter the field of intelligent robotics in 2013, investors started becoming interested in artificial intelligence and robotics companies. Zhou then was able to raise money from angel investors.

“Since 2012, UBTECH has successfully developed consumer humanoid robots, robots for business use and the Jimu robot, following the breakthroughs we made in digital servos,” said Zhou.

As the Alpha product line has been developing for five years, the newest Alpha 1 Pro, which costs 3,999 yuan, serves as a playmate and teacher in daily life. This robot is 398 millimeters tall, 208 millimeters wide and weighs about 1.65 kilograms. The Jimu robot, which was released in July 2016, is designed to enhance STEM education to encourage students to take an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects at an early age. The robot is intended for kids aged 8-14, and costs between 900 and 3,000 yuan. UBTECH also offers a customized intelligence service robot “the Cruzr Robot” to cater to more commercial needs.

With their high quality and competitive pricing, these robots have brought this 41-year-old man success, as UBTECH has seen big increases in sales, from 2 million yuan in 2014 to 300 million yuan in 2016.

“Currently, UBTECH is developing a large humanoid biped robot that can walk, ascend stairs and climb, among other motions,” said Zhou.