ABB Group, the Swiss power and automation company, has pledged to produce more service robots in China to keep up with growing demand.

Ulrich Spiesshofer, its chief executive officer, said such products can be used effectively across a huge range of services, from cleaning and assembly operations within the chemical and automotive sectors, to working at height or at depth, where human workers face safety risks.

"We will not only focus on industrial robot research and development in China, but also deploying more resources to develop more types of robot," said Spiesshofer.