On September 25th, the 2023 Pujiang Innovation Forum – Innovation Technology of Robotics Forum, jointly organized by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the People's Government of Minhang District, Shanghai, took place at neoBay. The forum aimed to contribute new insights to the interdisciplinary development of robotics and provide innovative pathways for the construction of the "neoBay" science and technology innovation source zone.
During the opening ceremony of the forum, the "neoBay" Robotics Innovation Alliance was established. The alliance is jointly initiated by representatives from 10 organizations, including universities, industrial parks, and enterprises. In the future, it aims to serve as a bridge between government, enterprises, and academic institutions, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of robotics in the neoBay area. As explained, the "neoBay" science and technology innovation source zone, as a vital support for the construction of Shanghai's science and technology innovation center and a demonstration area for technology transfer and transformation of scientific achievements, has, after years of dedicated planning, established an integrated collaboration mechanism in the field of robotics involving government, industry, academia, research, and application.
The alliance aims to amplify the innovation and industrial integration effects of the robotics innovation chain, actively create a closely interactive and open-sharing innovation ecosystem, and contribute to consolidating the strength for building a robotics industry cluster in the "neoBay" region.
The Robotics Innovation and Technology Forum brought together numerous experts and leaders in the field. Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Ding Han, delivered a keynote presentation on "Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing" following the opening ceremony. He expressed that robotic manufacturing is at the forefront of intelligent manufacturing, and the industry is already showing signs of a transformative shift driven by core technologies. Ultimately, ubiquitous manufacturing will be achieved through omnipresent robots, sensors, and intelligence.
Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Professor at Harbin Institute of Technology, Liu Hong, delivered a conference report titled "Technical Challenges and Vision of Space Robotics." Academician Liu Hong's team successfully developed China's first space robot, and the key technologies have been applied to the dexterous manipulator system of the Tiangong-2 space laboratory and the robotic arm system of the Chinese space station's Wentiangong module. He provided insights into the development history and latest research status of international space robots, the progress of Chinese space robot research, as well as the technical challenges and future vision of space robotics.
Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chief Scientist/Researcher at China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, Lu Jun, delivered a conference report on "Reflections on Information Systems Driving the Construction of the Robot Industry." He analyzed the development ideas and future trends of China's intelligent robotics industry, emphasizing the need for in-depth integration between artificial intelligence and the intelligent robotics industry. Lu Jun suggested overcoming key underlying technologies such as "electromagnetic eyes" and "cognitive brains" to establish an independent and controllable intelligent robotics industry system in China. He aims for China to become a pioneer in setting technological benchmarks and establishing industrial systems in the intelligent robotics industry.
In the afternoon, three parallel forums were held. Twenty-one distinguished experts, young scientists, and representatives from leading companies in the industry delivered specialized presentations on three key areas: cutting-edge interdisciplinary science in robotics, crucial technologies in emerging forms of robotics, and industrial cooperation in core component technologies. They shared the latest technological achievements in their respective fields.
NeoBay Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Community was cofounded by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, People's Government of Minhang District, Shanghai Land Minhong (Group) Co., Ltd. NeoBay aims to improve the entrepreneurial environment and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship among the people through leveraging on the accumulation of scientific achievements, talents, information, platform, and capital, providing the startups with the ecosystem as well as the relevant accelerators and relay parks conforming to the initial stage of their business growth.