High Torque Robotics Partners With Sharebot to Expand Humanoid Access Across China

To put its humanoid robots within easier reach of the Chinese market, High Torque Robotics, a manufacturer from China, has partnered with Sharebot, a robot rental platform that has an established presence in over 200 cities. 

The partnership, announced on October 21, is intended to focus on bringing robots into commercial events and robotics competitions as well as in schools and tourist spots, with local technical services and maintenance to back them up. It is a way of challenging one of the industry’s more pragmatic needs: putting machines in the hands of the customer so they are not obliged to run their own fleet. 

A Network Spanning More Than 200 Cities 

Sharebot operates a robotics-as-a-service platform; via its shared system for scheduling and rentals, it puts providers in touch with customers. According to High Torque, the platform has the capacity to coordinate more than 4,000 robots through over 1,000 service providers in 200 plus Chinese cities. 

These numbers describe Sharebot's existing network, not newly deployed High Torque units. 

High Torque will be adding its products to the suppliers Sharebot has on offer for projects run through the platform. The two firms also plan a local supply and service network in certain cities designed to provide robots and technical assistance within two hours, though they have not disclosed a list of those cities or a schedule for when the service will be in place. 

From Classrooms to Tourist Attractions 

An education focus is central to the partnership. High Torque is no stranger to making teaching tools and small humanoids for university researchers and vocational and school institutions; but by working with Sharebot, it will look at service and rental options for training, experiments and lessons. 

There are ambitions in the tourism and entertainment space as well. High Torque points to its robots having been used in activities for visitors at Chimelong Spaceship Park, and this alliance may open up further opportunities for interactive performances or promotional exhibitions. Equipment and on-site support for robotics contests is also on the agenda. 

Expanding Robot Rental Services 

Looking past simple rentals, the companies want to consider rent-to-own arrangements, marketing ventures of a joint nature and perhaps an expansion overseas. They will also be setting up inspection and repair services to support robots after delivery. 

No financial details have been released, nor have they confirmed any customer commitments or how many new humanoids are to be deployed. What the deal gives High Torque is a broader service network without having to put down operations in each and every market. In the end, it will be a question of whether the network can deliver the kind of reliable support and equipment required as more organizations begin using humanoid robots outside research laboratories.