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Haibao robots born in Hangzhou
By Vanessa Xu |
June 24, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE chubby bantering Haibao Robot at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai was made in Hangzhou by Zhejiang University and Supcon Group, a software maker.
The 1.5-meter-tall blue robots greet guests at main Expo entrances and say farewell at exits - in six languages. They're in all major places at Hongqiao and Pudong international airports.
They speak around 3,000 functional sentences in Chinese and are still upgrading.
Thirty-seven robots can guide visitors, offer information, take snapshots and dance a bit.
Here's one conversation:
Visitor: Haibao, did you have lunch?
Haibao: Thanks, but robots don't eat.
Visitor: Haibao, do you have a girlfriend?
Haibao: Does that really matter? You may find the answer in my cartoon.
The team of Zhejiang University and Sucpon won the bid to develop the multi-functional mascots that made their debut on March 7.
Zheng Hongbo, general manager of Supcon's robot department, calls himself "Papa of the Haibao Robot," but he's just one of more than 30 "papas" in the high-tech team that labored overtime for four months to bear their "robot babies."
These babies bear the brand "Made in Zhejiang," says Zheng who calls them the biggest and most comprehensive robot team at the Expo.
The Haibao Robot is not the only memorable Expo feature with a Zhejiang brand. Souvenirs of all kinds, food products and many other Expo items are made in the neighboring province.
The Wensili Group in Hangzhou received a 50-million-yuan (US$7.3 million) order to design souvenirs such as photo frames, picture scrolls, neckties, cellphone pendants and miniature Haibao mascots in silk.
The company manufactures silk products for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and can easily handle large-scale orders and distribution. World Expo is another huge business opportunity for the firm.
"Silk is a carrier that can express Chinese culture to the world," says Yu Zhiwei, office director of Wensili Group. "The six-month Expo period will surely give us a chance to glorify silk culture."
It is estimated that the turnover of souvenirs made by Wensili will reach 20 million yuan, with additional benefits that could surpass 50 million yuan.
Along the Expo Axis, the Sunny Valley of six huge solar-power funnels of latticework was constructed by Longmen Steel Structure Co from Yuyao City in Zhejiang. The company also provided steel for four pavilions, including Japan, which features an intricately wrought exterior.
"It's an honor for us to participate in this project," says Longmen General Manager Yang Wenjun.
In addition, Zhejiang Era Solar Technology Co built the solar power system of China's Information and Communication Pavilion; Zhejiang Jingri Lighting Technology Co tailor-made lighting for the Expo; Beifa Group in Ningbo produces Haibao souvenir writing pens; and Songming White Tea from Anji is designated as one of Expo's gift teas.
The 1.5-meter-tall blue robots greet guests at main Expo entrances and say farewell at exits - in six languages. They're in all major places at Hongqiao and Pudong international airports.
They speak around 3,000 functional sentences in Chinese and are still upgrading.
Thirty-seven robots can guide visitors, offer information, take snapshots and dance a bit.
Here's one conversation:
Visitor: Haibao, did you have lunch?
Haibao: Thanks, but robots don't eat.
Visitor: Haibao, do you have a girlfriend?
Haibao: Does that really matter? You may find the answer in my cartoon.
The team of Zhejiang University and Sucpon won the bid to develop the multi-functional mascots that made their debut on March 7.
Zheng Hongbo, general manager of Supcon's robot department, calls himself "Papa of the Haibao Robot," but he's just one of more than 30 "papas" in the high-tech team that labored overtime for four months to bear their "robot babies."
These babies bear the brand "Made in Zhejiang," says Zheng who calls them the biggest and most comprehensive robot team at the Expo.
The Haibao Robot is not the only memorable Expo feature with a Zhejiang brand. Souvenirs of all kinds, food products and many other Expo items are made in the neighboring province.
The Wensili Group in Hangzhou received a 50-million-yuan (US$7.3 million) order to design souvenirs such as photo frames, picture scrolls, neckties, cellphone pendants and miniature Haibao mascots in silk.
The company manufactures silk products for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and can easily handle large-scale orders and distribution. World Expo is another huge business opportunity for the firm.
"Silk is a carrier that can express Chinese culture to the world," says Yu Zhiwei, office director of Wensili Group. "The six-month Expo period will surely give us a chance to glorify silk culture."
It is estimated that the turnover of souvenirs made by Wensili will reach 20 million yuan, with additional benefits that could surpass 50 million yuan.
Along the Expo Axis, the Sunny Valley of six huge solar-power funnels of latticework was constructed by Longmen Steel Structure Co from Yuyao City in Zhejiang. The company also provided steel for four pavilions, including Japan, which features an intricately wrought exterior.
"It's an honor for us to participate in this project," says Longmen General Manager Yang Wenjun.
In addition, Zhejiang Era Solar Technology Co built the solar power system of China's Information and Communication Pavilion; Zhejiang Jingri Lighting Technology Co tailor-made lighting for the Expo; Beifa Group in Ningbo produces Haibao souvenir writing pens; and Songming White Tea from Anji is designated as one of Expo's gift teas.
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