(Yicai) Sept. 26 -- Micro Intelligence, Fourier Intelligence and other Chinese robot manufacturers are showcasing products at the ongoing 25th China International Industry Fair in Shanghai that are designed to adapt to customer needs, aiming to cut operating, usage and maintenance costs, while putting greater emphasis on flexibility.

Micro Intelligence unveiled what it calls the world’s first “embodied intelligent flexible production line.” Unlike the synchronized movements of robots at other booths, the machines at the Changzhou-based company’s stand each perform a different task, showcasing real collaboration in action.

Traditional assembly lines rely on fixed robots to perform pre-determined tasks, said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Zhang Zhiqi. However, if a product or order changes, the production line has to be shut down for renovation, reprogramming and redesigning and must be rebuilt, which is an expensive and time-consuming process.

Unlike traditional industrial robots which require several weeks of debugging, Micro Intelligence’s robots can be deployed on the production line the very same day they arrive, Zhang said. They are able to take on new tasks while collecting real-world data. They then use that information to continuously improve their performance.

“The first thing customers want to see is a return on investment and this is therefore one of our primary criteria in developing new products,” Zhang said.

Fourier, meanwhile, unveiled a new industrial application at the fair that builds autonomous operation systems for tasks such as moving packages and the separation of materials. This is demonstrated on site by multiple humanoid robots working side by side, coordinating their movements.

The centralized control system FOCUS is designed to lower operating, usage and maintenance costs, a staffer told Yicai. With this system, customers can flexibly adjust how many robots are being used on a production line at any one time.

Shanghai-based Fourier unveiled its third-generation humanoid robot, the GR-3C, at the expo. Standing 165 centimeters tall and weighing 71 kilograms, it can be equipped with up to 55 different ranges of motion. Built with an aluminum-alloy and engineering plastic shell, the robot strikes a balance between lightweight design and structural strength, making it durable, impact-resistant and easier to maintain.

Editor: Kim Taylor