Yiwu-made logistics robots are used daily in warehouses for identifying and selecting products. [Photo/zgyww.cn]

A potential breakthrough deal to export robots to Japan – seen by many as the mecca for industrial robotics – has the China robotics sector excited. The robots were fabricated in the city of Yiwu, in central Zhejiang province, and there are expectations that it could lead to bigger things.

Thirty-three Yiwu-made logistics robots, that are considered more efficient than their counterparts, were recently sent to the Japanese market to be used daily in warehouses for identifying and selecting products, a core element to mass shipments of goods and a first-of-its-kind export from China to Japan.

The final commissioning stage of for the robots was completed on May 28 at the Yiwu Science & Technology Incubation Park, before they were shipped out.

The cutting-edge cyber product -- a six-generation robot called Xiaobei -- was developed by Yiwu Laisi Technology Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Hit Robot Group, after two years of research and development.

The breakthrough order came in the wake of CeMAT Asia 2017, an international fair for materials handling and logistics. But it was not until the tested to the max to make sure they met the exacting performance and software requirements of the Japanese customers, after a series of successful product trials, did the company secure the final supply contract.

Having secured independent intellectual property rights, the robots can work more than twice as efficiently as human labor, and are considered perfect for e-commerce and warehousing companies -- to assist staff in such processes as product selection, deliveries, restocking and product returns.

Compared with QR code navigation automated guide vehicle, or AGV transfer robots, that are most widely used in global logistics industry, its manufacturers say Xiaobei is more cost-effective and time-efficient.

What's more it requires fewer changes to existing infrastructure and its technology is more mature, according to Tu Yifeng, deputy business dean of Hit Robot Group's Yiwu artificial intelligence research institute.

"Japan is dubbed the 'Robot Kingdom' and is the world's largest robot producer and a major exporter," said Ma Xianxian, operations director of Yunji Industry Design (Yiwu) Co Ltd.

"The export of Xiaobei to Japan is a source of pride for the domestic robot industry and also brings us more confidence."

An official from the municipal bureau of science and technology stated that the deal proved that Yiwu, a city renowned for its high-quality but low-priced small commodity trade and vibrant market, is also a high-tech and intelligent high-end equipment center that is up to global standards.

In recent years, Yiwu has vigorously developed its artificial intelligence industry under cooperation with leading universities such as Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications and companies including China Hualu Group Co Ltd.

A number of artificial intelligence technology innovation platforms were created as a result. Last year, new financing for sci-tech funds in Yiwu reached 70 million yuan ($10 million) -- funding designed to facilitate the formation of "smart commodity" industry clusters.