Robotic systems are displayed at the SUPCON Technology showroom, showcasing the company’s work in robotics and industrial automation. Photo: SUPCON / NNA News

NNA News - A South African student studying in China has gained first-hand exposure to industrial automation and robotics during a visit to SUPCON Technology in Hangzhou, highlighting the growing role of smart manufacturing and technical skills in the future of industry.

Malatji Lethabo Progress, a student at Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, visited the Chinese industrial technology company as part of the university's “Explore China” programme. Zhejiang University of Science and Technology offers the programme to international students as part of its practical and cultural learning activities.

The visit introduced the student to industrial control systems, sensors, process simulation, robotics and technologies used to monitor and manage industrial operations. “Before this visit, I only had a rudimentary understanding of automation, based solely on what I had learned in class,” Progress wrote in an account published by La Diplomatique d'Abidjan.

He said the visit changed his understanding of automation, particularly after seeing how different machines and control systems operate together. “I realised that automation isn't just about replacing humans with machines, but also about improving safety, efficiency, and productivity,” he wrote.

SUPCON develops industrial automation and digital technologies for process industries. Its portfolio includes distributed control systems, programmable logic controllers, industrial software, instrumentation and robotics. The company says its systems are designed to support safer and more efficient industrial operations.

International students from Zhejiang University of Science and Technology pose during an “Explore China” social practice visit to SUPCON Technology in Hangzhou. Photo: Mohamed Compaore

The company traces its founding to 1993, although Zhejiang SUPCON Technology Co., Ltd. was registered as a company in 1999. It has expanded its operations internationally, with the company reporting a presence across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

During the visit, Progress observed systems that collect information such as temperature, pressure, liquid levels and flow rates before transmitting the data to control systems. He said the demonstrations showed how operators can monitor industrial processes from central control rooms rather than manually checking individual machines.

The visit also included SUPCON's Plantbot robotics solutions, which are designed for routine and hazardous industrial tasks. The company's robotics portfolio includes inspection robots that can patrol high-risk areas, detect leaks and collect real-time information.

Progress said the robotics demonstrations were among the most striking parts of the visit. He highlighted NAVIAI, a humanoid robot developed by the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, with SUPCON as its primary backer. SUPCON has described NAVIAI as part of its investment in industrial AI and robotics.

He also observed autonomous mobile robots in the EMMA series, which SUPCON describes as systems for transporting materials within industrial and warehouse environments. Some models can carry loads of up to several tonnes.

For Progress, the experience raised questions about how South Africa could use similar technologies while preparing workers for changing industrial roles. “I realised that automation doesn't necessarily mean unemployment; rather, it changes the nature of work,” he wrote, arguing that workers would continue to be needed for monitoring systems, maintenance, troubleshooting and decision-making.

The question is particularly relevant for South Africa's manufacturing sector. Statistics South Africa reported that manufacturing production declined by 1.3 percent in 2025, while large manufacturers operated at 76.6 percent of production capacity in May 2026.

Progress said greater investment in education, technology and infrastructure could allow South Africa to benefit from industrial automation while creating opportunities for workers with advanced technical skills.

The experience in Hangzhou therefore provided more than an introduction to robotics. It offered a practical view of how automation, artificial intelligence and human skills are increasingly being brought together in modern industrial production.