(Dr Djitt Laowattana shows off a robot developed by local researchers at King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi)

Locally-made industrial robots may have a long way to go, but a Thai expert says his proposals will make local developers and researchers more competitive.Before the current global recession emerged, the number of industrial robots in Thailand had been forecast to reach 40,000 to 50,000 over the next five years, said Dr Djitt Laowattana, the director of the Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO).

The market has grown considerably in recent years to about 10,000 units, most are used in the electronics industry.

But five foreign companies dominate 90% of supply in the market, leaving only 10% for local producers. Japan's Nachi Robotic Systems Inc, for example, sells 200-300 units a year.

"The industry really needs the government to back it up, partly in terms of venture capital for funding, and incentives from the Board of Investment (BoI) to help upgrade technology and develop Thai entrepreneurs," he said.

Dr Djitt is scheduled to meet next week with Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu to propose policies to help strengthen the local industry.

FIBO, part of King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, has played a key role in developing robotic systems and personnel in Thailand for 15 years. The institute produces 50 master's graduates in industrial robot engineering every year and opened a PhD programme this year.

"It is not a question anymore whether robotic technology suits Thailand's industrial development or not, especially when competition has intensified," Dr Djitt said. "Once you need to cut costs and increase productivity, robotic technology is the right solution for Thai industry to stay competitive.

"Thailand has seen rising competition from lower-cost producers, mainly Vietnam and China, while we have to upgrade ourselves to compete with higher-technology suppliers such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan."

According to Dr Djitt, Japan leads the world with an estimated 40 million industrial robots. In Thailand, the demand has risen sharply from hard-disk drive (HDD) producers as the country is now the world's top HDD producer.

With operations of Western Digital, Seagate Technology and Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Thailand produces 500 billion baht worth of hard drives per year, said Dr Djitt, who has worked with the Ministry of Science and Technology on policies for the HDD industry.

FIBO serves industrial operators in terms of robot designs for general use, and producing tailor-made models worth millions of baht each.

"When the economy slows globally the way it has at present, you don't need to speedily pump out more and more products because the demand is low," Dr Djitt said. "Now is probably the most suitable time to pay greater attention to upgrading local technology to be ready with higher competitiveness when the market picks up again."