Pakistan's Nexa Robots seeks deeper Chinese tech partnership

August 19, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and China are deepening technology cooperation in the robotics sector, with Nexa Robots seeking closer ties with Chinese manufacturing and technology partners to build local capabilities in software, artificial intelligence and systems integration for service robots.

H.M. Hafeez, founder and CEO of Nexa Robots, told China Economic Net that the company's most pressing requirements include stronger technology collaboration, access to critical components, and support in developing solutions tailored to the Pakistani market.

He also urged Chinese partners to pursue joint product development with local firms, adding that access to investment or strategic financing could help Nexa scale up and offer customers leasing or robots-as-a-service payment models.

The remarks coincide with the opening of the World Robot Conference 2026 in Beijing on August 19, an event expected to draw more than 300 exhibitors and over 2,000 exhibits spanning robot applications in catering, retail, healthcare and logistics, APP reported.

H.M. Hafeez said Nexa currently distributes products in Pakistan on behalf of Shenzhen-based Pudu Robotics.

Among its earliest installations is a deployment at Minhaj University Lahore, which introduced service robots in its admissions office and library in September 2023 with equipment and technical support from Nexa.

The university has continued to showcase the facility, sharing photographs and videos of the robotic library through 2025.

According to H.M.  Hafeez, the Smart Service robots at the university are used daily to support reception duties, visitor guidance and information services in both the admissions office and library.

Beyond demonstrations and pilot projects, H.M. Hafeez said Nexa has moved into paid deployments with select customers across hospitality, education and other service sectors, though he did not disclose installation numbers or identify additional clients.

He described the market as still in its early stages, citing low labour costs, economic uncertainty and reluctance to commit capital as key reasons businesses remain cautious about adopting automation.

He noted that robots also require trained staff, ongoing maintenance, software integration and dependable local support to function effectively.

He stressed that a robot must perform reliably in a customer's actual operating environment rather than only during demonstrations.

On returns, H.M. Hafeez estimated that a restaurant or hotel making intensive use of a robot could target a payback period of one to two years, while less intensive usage would likely extend that timeline.

He added that Nexa has begun early-stage localisation efforts, initially concentrating on software, AI and systems integration within Pakistan while continuing to source key hardware and components from China.

Once a prototype is developed and validated locally, initial production is expected to shift to China, with assembly and select components potentially localised in Pakistan later if volumes and costs justify the move.

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