Robots rising: Coronavirus drives up demand for non-human labour in China

A robot transports food to serve to diners at a restaurant, following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19), in Shanghai, China. — Reuters

SHANGHAI: A shortage of workers and restrictions on human contact because of the coronavirus pandemic is driving up demand for service robots in China, potentially boosting a sector that has struggled to scale up commercially.

Venture capitalists with expertise in the robotics sector said they are anticipating orders from China to rise significantly this year, based on interest since the end of January when the virus began spreading in China.