Industry leaders and scientists took part in discussions on the latest trends and developments in robotics at the 5th West Lake International Robot Forum in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, on Oct 19, with representatives from more than 100 companies in attendance.

Delegates from the United States, Germany, Finland, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and China gathered at the event to negotiate the details of founding a consortium to promote the development of the global robotics industry. 

The forum witnessed the establishment of the International Association for Robots, and the unveiling of demonstration centers for Qianjiang and Xiaoshan robot towns. 

This year's 2019 West Lake International Robot Forum, together with the simultaneous 2019 China International Intelligent Products Exposition and World Conference on Digital and Artificial Intelligence, covered an astonishing 35,000 square meters of exhibition space.

Xiaoshan Robots Town, founded in 2015, is the first area in Zhejiang province dedicated to pioneering the development of China's robotics industry, and is already renowned as one of the country's top 10 centers for the development of robot technologies.

Sponsored by the Association for Zhejiang Robotics Industrial Development and Xiaoshan government, West Lake International Robot Forum is an annual event held in the city of Hangzhou.