TAIWAN-BUSINESS-TECH-FOXCONN
Foxconn hopes to integrate Taiwan's supply chain to participate in the formulation of robot industry standards and accelerate the application of AI robots in factories and commercial settings.

Foxconn Group said it hopes to work with Taiwan supply chain partners to help set standards for the robotics industry, strengthening the influence of Taiwan companies in the global robotics market. The company expects robot adoption to begin with commercial and industrial applications, with factory robots gradually taking on most tasks over the next three to five years.

According to a Central News Agency report on Oct. 31, Li Kuang-yao, general manager of Foxconn Group's C Business Group, said during the group's annual Hon Hai Tech Day (HHTD 26) that no clear global leader has yet emerged in setting standards for the robotics industry. Foxconn hopes to work with Taiwan companies to participate in developing the relevant specifications.

Li said Taiwan companies found it difficult to take part in setting international standards during the early development of the PC industry because they lacked sufficient capital, resources and industry information. Taiwan businesses have since built up capital, technological capabilities and talent, giving them the foundation needed to jointly develop specifications for the robotics industry.

He stressed that the robotics industry requires cooperation across a complete supply chain and that companies cannot rely on a single business to develop the sector. Foxconn is currently in discussions with several Taiwan suppliers, hoping to combine their expertise and build a more complete robotics industry ecosystem.

In terms of applications, Foxconn believes the commercial market will mature before the consumer market, with factories and corporate operating sites likely to become the first locations for robots to be deployed at scale. Robots could eventually take on production-line tasks, materials handling and some repetitive work, helping companies improve efficiency and reduce their reliance on labor.

As artificial intelligence, sensors and automatic control technologies advance, robots are gradually evolving from fixed industrial equipment into smart systems capable of sensing their surroundings, making decisions and carrying out tasks autonomously. This is making chips, servers, mechanical components and software integration key areas of competition in the industry.

For Taiwan, the development of the robotics industry is not only an extension of manufacturing automation, but could also create new market opportunities for semiconductor, electronic component, precision machinery and AI software companies.

However, the widespread commercial deployment of robotics will still require the industry to overcome challenges involving equipment costs, safety regulations, system integration and compatibility among different brands. Whether Taiwan companies can secure a meaningful role in setting international standards will also affect the supply chain's position in the market.