Robots can boost productivity, particularly in dirty, dangerous and unsafe work environments without any added labor costs, leaving the human workforce to focus on other work.

The industrial robot market is seeing an explosive growth in China, Hu says. Demand for industrial robots in China is expected to reach 35,000 by 2015, accounting for 16.9 percent of the total global sales, making China the largest robot market in the world, says statistics published by the Frankfurt-based International Federation of Robotics.

Because of the wide application of industrial robots and its inalienable role in smart manufacturing and production, companies such as ABB are now focusing on using them across the whole value chain in China, including research and development, production, sales, engineering and services.

Last year, ABB provided robotic products and automotive manufacturing solutions to auto major BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd's Tiexi production base in Shenyang. On the BMW assembly line, ABB robots are mainly engaged in handling, gluing and welding work. ABB has also provided robotic automation solutions to Volvo Car Group's Chengdu automobile production base, becoming the first robot supplier to provide the water-based adhesive system solution in China.

"This solution reduces noise and vibration throughout the whole car while it is moving, and creates a quiet and comfortable driving environment for owners. It also greatly reduces the amount of volatile and organic compounds needed during manufacturing, thereby minimizing environmental pollution and damage to human health by improving the air quality in the car," says Jiang Haibo, vice-president and head of service, ABB North Asia and China.

ABB China's service business continued to maintain its strong growth last year. The company added six service centers in China, including Hangzhou, Chongqing, Jinan, Xi'an, Wuhan and Shenyang, bringing the total number of service centers to nine.

It also has more than 90 professional service stations and more than 200 authorized service providers throughout the country.