The Chinese ammunition factories are scheduled to have artificial intelligence robots running them in the near future. The move is expected to help the Chinese government triple the production of its bombs and weapons in the next ten years. Beijing has begun to change their factory workers with robots so as to mitigate the risks accompanied by such work. They have also been trying to address the shortage of workers in the industry.
In addition to these two solid reasons, the new robots could see China making new generation bombs and warheads which would boost the country’s economy and military power. Some specially designed robots could be used to help create some explosives such as bombs and rockets. They could also be used to build even more complex and sophisticated weapons such bombs with computer chips inside of them. Bombs equipped with sensors capable of carrying various precision strikes could also be used.
The lead scientist with the high-level weapon system intelligent manufacturing program in China, Xu Zhigang, said that robots could also be used for the development of photoelectric spy devices soon enough. He also said that robots could be used for the creation of high powered diesel engines for the Chinese military and air force equipment. In the interview, Xu also noted that at least a third of the Chinese ammunition factories had started to replace some of their workers. He suggested that based on estimates, once all the factories had been upgraded within 10 years, they could see a boost in production by at least 100 percent to 200 percent.
One bomb assembly point in China already has an almost entirely robot presence. The factory used to employ over 100 workers, but at the moment has reduced to only 3 workers responsible for the production unit. However, despite fears that robots could take jobs from people who need them, experts believe the move could help with removing young Chinese people from the dangerous part of weapons production work.
Professor Huang Dexian at the Tshingua University said that robots could help free workers from the pesky and repetitive job of bomb-making. In turn, this also creates new jobs such control optimization, maintenance of the hardware and various technology upgrade jobs, he added. It will lead to a stronger, healthier and happier workforce, he concluded.
China has over the past few years been involved in a bid to modernize their defense and military. They have engaged in developing new missiles, bombers, and warships. Just recently they tested a new hypersonic missile, which is amongst the seven missiles that China has tested over the past few years.
