Chinese 'makers' turn fake products market into innovation base

Once a gray market notorious for selling copycat electronics, the Huaqiangbei mall in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, has become a paradise for innovators.

Technology enthusiasts from around the world have been flocking to Huaqiangbei shopping center, where all kinds of electronic components are sold.

These "makers," as they're known within a growing movement of do-it-yourself inventors, craftsmen, and tinkerers, turn their ideas into new devices, often with the help of 3D printers, robotics, and other advanced tools. For some, it is a full-time job, while others pursue their projects as a hobby.

Silvia Lindtner, a professor at the University of Michigan in the United States, said that at Huaqiangbei, makers can touch and feel different hardware components for inspiration and ideas.

Marcus Weyreuther, from Germany, has cooperated with Chinese partners to develop a thermometer that can measure temperature when connected to a smart phone. Thanks to the components sold at Huaqiangbei, Weyreuther's invention has gone from a design to a real product.

Huaqiangbei is just one spot in China's booming maker landscape. In addition to Shenzhen, the cities of Beijing and Shanghai have also become home to innovators and makers. Several maker communities such as Beijing Makerspace, Shanghai Xin Che Jian and Shenzhen Chaihuo Makerspace have formed in those cities.

During his visit to Chaihuo Makerspace earlier this month, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said people with creative ideas should receive help to set up their own businesses.

Industrial insiders said the maker movement is based on traditional manufacturing and driven by creativity, and China's booming manufacturing industry has created a solid foundation for maker culture.

Some companies are even turning to makers for cooperation. Foxconn Electronics, a Taiwan-funded supplier for Apple, has launched a factory, InnoConn, to manufacture products designed and invented by these innovators.

Leading household electrical appliances maker Haier Group has launched a maker laboratory to provide exhibition and exchange opportunities, project incubation and financial support for makers.

The innovation environment in China has also caught the eye of foreign maker projects. A hardware incubation project under the British venture capital firm SOSventure has set up an incubation center in Huaqiangbei, offering funds and guidance.

Despite the rapid development, makers in the country still have their complaints, since most Chinese factories are still using traditional production technology. Production costs are also comparatively high and the products usually have no price advantage when entering the market.

In order to overcome these obstacles, some makers have started their own businesses. The Shenzhen-based DJI Technology Co., Ltd., which specializes in producing unmanned aircraft, was founded by Wang Tao, who was a model plane enthusiast in college.

DJI has claimed over 50 percent of global market share in small unmanned aircraft, according to the company.

However, not all makers aspire to business success, and many just enjoy the process of creating. Ma Tianchi is dedicated to developing eyeglasses that can determine whether drivers are tired by recording their blinking rate.

As to his motivation, Ma said, "I just love the feeling of turning ideas into reality and being helpful to others."

He said being a maker is a way of life. "It can push me to learn new things and help tap my creative potential. It has also taught me how to accept failures and to always keep trying," he said.

Zhang Guoxin, director of Shenzhen Weina integrated circuit and system application research institute, said it is hard to predict to what extent makers will influence economic development. However, they are creating a culture that can inspire learning and creativity.