One of the largest manufacturers of NRCs in Ukraine, Tencore, plans to launch a new enterprise by the end of the year to produce its own motors for robotic systems. This decision will help reduce dependence on China.
One of the largest manufacturers of NRCs in Ukraine, Tencore, plans to launch a new enterprise by the end of the year to produce its own motors for robotic systems. This decision will help reduce dependence on China.
Tencore CEO Max Vasylchenko said this in an interview with Forbes Ukraine.
The company depends on China for component supplies, as key elements of its products are manufactured there. In particular, we are talking about electric motors and their control drivers, which, although American in design, are actually manufactured in Chinese factories. In addition, the supply of lithium-ion cells is tied to China, as this country controls more than 80% of the world's supply of batteries, as well as 90% of the magnet market.
“Europe is not flexible. Their approach is – pay us today, we will deliver in a year. We will no longer need these motors in a year, because the requirements for them will change. The Chinese are ready to fulfill similar orders in 40 days,” adds the CEO of Tencore.
To diversify risks, the company plans to switch to its own production. In particular, it is preparing to open a plant where it will manufacture its own motors, created together with partners specifically for the NRK, rather than copied from Chinese counterparts.
A small test batch is currently being created for testing on ten different ground robotic complexes, which differ in weight and design. If testing is successful, the launch of full-scale production could take place by the end of the year.
The company has invested primarily a year of work in this area, and the management is not yet ready to estimate the costs in monetary terms.
"I'm not ready to estimate it in terms of money. The funds we invested in R&D for this year have already been spent. Our expenses in this area have increased tenfold. We spend more than 50% of our income on this," Vasylchenko noted.
