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The robot industry faces enormous challenges, and talent is the root cause
At present, the industrial robot industry, one of the ten key sectors under "Made in China 2025," is undergoing rapid development. The application of industrial robots spans multiple fields such as automotive manufacturing and electronics. China has become the world’s largest market for industrial robots for three consecutive years. Meanwhile, the push for “machine substitution†is growing stronger. According to a survey by the Chinese Academy of Engineering, 64.2% of companies express strong interest, while 14.5% are preparing for automation. However, with the fast growth of the industry and the widening gap in skilled professionals, the training of industrial robot talent is entering a “bottleneck period.â€
So, as an emerging field of education, how can we overcome this challenge? How should we address the shortage of industrial robot professionals? What is the current state of industrial robot education? What are the real issues? And how can we solve them? With these questions in mind, this article uses the teaching practices at Wuhu Vocational and Technical College as a case study. We interviewed Professor Qian Feng, Dean of the School of Information Engineering at Wuhu Vocational and Technical College, as well as members of the Anhui University Higher School Computer Teaching Research Association, to explore these issues through a question-and-answer format.
[Image: The robot industry faces enormous challenges, and talent is the root cause]
The image shows Professor Qian Feng (second from left) teaching professional courses.
Q: How long has the industrial robot course at Wuhu Vocational and Technical College been offered, and what was the context?
Qian Feng: The industrial robot industry holds great potential. It has become one of China's nine pillar industries and a key indicator of national technological innovation and manufacturing capabilities. Wuhu Vocational and Technical College introduced an elective course on robot technology as early as 2010, making it one of the first higher vocational colleges in China to establish a robot-related program.
In 2015, the national robot industry experienced explosive growth. At the same time, shortcomings in the traditional manufacturing sector became apparent, and the talent gap widened. In response, the college officially launched the Industrial Robot Technology major, aligning with the trend of intelligent manufacturing and future applications of industrial robots. The program leverages the college’s strengths and focuses on cultivating high-quality skilled personnel in robot design, programming, debugging, production, and maintenance.
The curriculum includes courses such as robot electronic technology, intelligent detection, single-chip interface technology, intelligent robot technology, servo control, installation and debugging of automatic lines, image processing, and human-computer interaction.
Q: What are the highlights and achievements of the college in industrial robot education in recent years?
Qian Feng: The college has focused on subdividing the application areas of industrial robots, emphasizing both manufacturing and application. Based on the needs of intelligent manufacturing, we have adjusted our existing engineering programs to meet industry demands.
Industrial robots are smart devices and a core part of intelligent manufacturing. Existing specialties like mechatronics and automation can meet basic requirements. To address the full spectrum of the industry, the college established a dedicated robot technology program, combining its resources and the strengths of the School of Information Engineering.
In August, the college won two first prizes and one second prize in the Anhui Industrial Robot Skills Competition and the National Industrial Robot Skills Competition. In September, two students from the college earned a second and third prize in the National competition.
Q: What do you think about the current shortage of industrial robot professionals?
Qian Feng: The shortage of talent is multi-faceted. It could be a lack of skilled workers in manufacturing, system integration, or software and hardware design. There are three main gaps: manufacturing talent, application talent, and integrated system talents.
Manufacturing involves critical components like controllers and reducers, which are expensive and technically challenging. This area requires highly skilled professionals and significant investment. Application talent is also in demand, with over 200,000 positions expected by 2020. Integrated system talents require deep knowledge of industrial processes, often taking five years to develop.
Q: Have you encountered any problems in practical teaching?
Qian Feng: Yes, most current equipment is limited to maintenance, assembly, and basic programming. We’ve worked with enterprises to design better teaching tools. Although progress has been made, challenges remain, and collaboration between schools and companies is essential.
Q: How do you view the integration of production and education?
Qian Feng: It’s a vital approach for vocational education. Through school-enterprise cooperation, we align teaching with industry needs, ensuring students gain practical skills. While not perfect, this integration reduces the gap between education and employment.
Q: What do you think of the “Industrial Robot AR Training System�
Qian Feng: Traditional methods face issues like cost, space, safety, and limited scenarios. The AR system offers a more interactive and efficient solution. It provides virtual 3D displays, records training data, and improves learning outcomes. It addresses many of the challenges in robot education and offers valuable insights for future training.
Our college has also experimented with simulation systems, winning awards in competitions. I believe the AR system will further enhance our educational approach.