There are still some gaps, but for the most part, China is way past the "clone and copy" these days.
Knowledge has been assimilated and significant R&D efforts is being put in. If I look at Bambulalab, xTool or Makera, I see genuine designs, significant improvements in quality and price drops way beyond what cheaper labor can explain.
And it's also visible in other spaces: think DJI drones or CATL batteries in cars.
firesteelrain · · focus · HN ↗
kakwa_ · · focus · HN ↗
Knowledge has been assimilated and significant R&D efforts is being put in. If I look at Bambulalab, xTool or Makera, I see genuine designs, significant improvements in quality and price drops way beyond what cheaper labor can explain.
And it's also visible in other spaces: think DJI drones or CATL batteries in cars.
We use to see Japan in the same light by the way:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxYjsZr1PwM" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxYjsZr1PwM