US deal suspension for skyscraper-cleaning robot manufacturer from China due to tariff increase instigated by Trump.
** Modern Robotics Faces a Hiccup with US Market** 🤖
Turns out, skyscraper-cleaning robots aren't a slam dunk just yet! 😮 Guangdong Lingdu Intelligent Technology Development, the innovative minds behind the X-Human brand, stumbled upon an unexpected hurdle with their first US customer recently. You guessed it - the one and only Donald Trump's infamous tariffs. 🥲
Before you ask, yes, that's the same Donald Trump who's been causing tremors in global markets with his trade policies. You know, the guy who's slapped staggering 145% tariffs on Chinese imports so far this year - and counting.
So, how did this affect Guangdong Lingdu you might wonder? Well, their US customer, having been under the pressure of said tariffs, decided to pull the plug on their US$1.6 million deal, leaving the tech- whizzes in China and the Yanks without their wall-climbing robotic partner. According to Jackey Huang Jian, the COO of Guangdong Lingdu, both parties are currently holding their breath, waiting for Mr. Trump to show some leniency or, as Mr. Huang put it, "waiting for changes" in his tariff policies.
Should we hold our breath too? Morgan Stanley economists seem to think so, suggesting that conventional wisdom and that of the Eastern philosophers might come into play here: baby steps and gradual adjustments, with both sides negotiating to scale back the tariffs to a "mere" 60% by the end of the second quarter. But hey, a 60% tariff is still heavy on your wallet! 💸
Well, keep calm and scale-up, right? Lingdu's robots haven't exactly missed out on the party. These bad boys have found a warm welcome in over 20 global markets, from the old world to the new, including Europe and the Middle East. Their flagship Lingkong robot is on its third generation at the moment - and it's been wowing crowds everywhere!
Ever wondered what it looks like scaling a 103-storey skyscraper? Well, Lingkong does it like it's nothing. It's been sniffing around the Guangzhou International Finance Centre, the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai, and even Hong Kong's Kowloon Commerce Centre – all while preserving a solid environmental conscience. This fella uses suction cups and wheels to navigate smooth surfaces and handle surface curvatures up to 5 millimeters. It can last for three hours on a single battery and handle sewage filtration with just 8 liters of water, meaning it can work for half a day before needing to go to the bathroom. 😉
So, what about efficiency? These babies can clean up to 2,000 square meters of wall every single day - that's three times the chores humans can handle! Folks, imagine six humans working three whole months to clean the Zifeng Tower in Nanjing, China. Guess who now does the same job in no time? Lingkong, of course, the hard-working, water-sipping, wall-conquering machine! 💪🐸🌄🏢🚀
- Despite the setback with the US customer due to conflicting technology and tariffs, Guangdong Lingdu's robots have found success in 20 global markets, including Europe and the Middle East.
- The flagship Lingkong robot, now on its third generation, has shown impressive efficiency, cleaning up to 2,000 square meters of wall daily, a task that would take six humans three months to accomplish.
- In the Emirates, Lingkong has been scaling the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, demonstrating its adaptability to various landscapes, while maintaining a commitment to environmentally friendly practices.
- Morgan Stanley economists predict that there might be some easing of tariffs, with both sides negotiating to scale back the current 145% tariffs to a "mere" 60% by the end of the second quarter.
- With technological advancements in the business and finance sectors, the worth of such innovative robotic solutions, like those from Guangdong Lingdu, continues to increase as they deliver efficiency, productivity, and environmental benefits.
