The Thai-German Institute (TGI), an organisation under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry, has been entrusted with developing and transferring advanced manufacturing technology to Thai industrial sectors in order to strengthen their capabilities and competitiveness in the Industry 4.0 era. To upgrade target industry productivity, TGI is enhancing technology, innovation, and human resources through the use of robots, automations, moulds, and machinery.
Mr. Somwang Boonrakcharoen, President of TGI, disclosed that: “The most significant problem in Thai manufacturing industry is the lack of skilled labour, both in terms of quantity and quality. Thus, TGI is focusing on developing robotic and automation systems to improve productivity and transform industry into the Industry 4.0 era, which is in line with the government’s Thailand 4.0 policy.”
The President added that: “In order to revolutionise businesses so that they achieve Industry 3.0 and 4.0 operational levels, business owners must first take into consideration the investment feasibility of robotics and automation because production volume becomes a key factor. They must also take their own capabilities and the demands of the market into account.”
“TGI is ready to support and supervise manufacturers in developing and enhancing their manufactured products throughout the entire process. TGI also has simulating software that shows business owners the expected effects and benefits robotics and automation may bring to their enterprise, particularly in the areas of productivity, cost, and quality. The software can also predict break-even point which can be invaluable information for business owners to weigh in their decision-making process. If they decide to invest in robotics technology and automation systems, TGI provides guidance for every step of the way, from original design to installation, until the entire system is complete and ready to run.”
The Ministry of Industry is part of the Robotics Cluster Special Economic Development Zones Subcommittee which has been pushing for investment promotion measures and supportive policies in robotics and automation sectors. On 29 August 2017, the Cabinet approved measures to increase productivity in Thailand and reinforce first S-curve and New S-Curve industries, including an automotive cluster and medical hub. With the automotive cluster, working closely with the TGI, electric vehicles are the next big thing and business operators must ready themselves to adapt to the new challenges. For the medical hub cluster, TGI will continue to advise as it did for the successful dental root implant project. TGI is also currently developing new projects with agencies under the Ministry of Science and Technology to create prototypes for prosthetic devices and artificial lenses.
“The robotics industry in Thailand needs more system integrators (SI). SI accepts orders from clients’ manufacturers and designs and creates robots and automation systems accordingly. To strengthen the robotics industry in Thailand, we must foster more SIs that can create standardised robots. Robots in service industries are particularly in demand, such as ‘Dinsow’ elderly care robot. Meanwhile, TGI continues to mainly focus on industrial robots to support the targeted industries in accordance with the government and the Ministry of Industry’s policy.”
