A robotic canine developed by a tech agency within the Future Science and Technology City in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang province, is skilled to conduct hearth patrols. (Photo/Zhang Yongtao)
From humanoid robots to brain-computer interface gadgets and huge AI fashions, a wave of cutting-edge technological improvements from Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang province, has been making headlines this yr. Behind this surge in sci-tech breakthroughs lies a key driver: a strong, innovation-friendly enterprise environment.
“Humanoid robots can replace nurses during ward rounds and monitor patients’ respiration and heart rate – all enabled by a chip embedded with the right algorithms,” mentioned Wang Chao, CEO of Megaway Technology, a tech agency primarily based in Hangzhou.
The firm relocated to Hangzhou High-tech Zone (Binjiang) in 2023, settling within the native AIGC (Artificial Intelligence Generated Content) Industrial Innovation Center. “The industrial chains prioritized by Binjiang district are closely aligned with our development strategy,” Wang defined.
Hangzhou Qianzhen Digital Technology is one other firm drawn to the district. “There are many leading AI companies here. The innovation center often invites corporate executives to share insights on industry trends and policy updates,” mentioned Wang Jinping, founding father of the corporate. “These AI firms also provide our company with abundant resources and potential clients.”
For a brand new business to take root and flourish, it should relaxation on a strong basis. According to Gao Chong, deputy head of Binjiang district, Hangzhou has been designated as a pilot zone for next-generation AI innovation and utility. Binjiang, on the core of this initiative, started cultivating its digital financial system as early as 2003. Today, the district’s high-end software program and AI industrial chain contributes 40 % of the town’s whole income on this sector.
“Many organizations are reaching out to us for collaboration,” mentioned Wang You, affiliate professor at Zhejiang University’s College of Control Science and Engineering and founding father of tech agency Rotunbot.
A video of cops patrolling the streets with a big black, ball-shaped robotic in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, not too long ago went viral on-line. The amphibious robotic, able to coordinating motion with different items, was developed by Wang and his workforce at a robotics innovation base in Hangzhou’s Xihu district. The base, co-established with Zhejiang University’s College of Control Science and Engineering, homes 12 innovation workshops, most of that are led by college school.
“I enjoy walking around the base to see what others are tinkering with,” Wang mentioned. “The laser radars used in our robot came from a bionic leg robotics lab just down the hall.”
Photo reveals an aerial view of the experimental constructing for the Centrifugal Hyper-gravity and Interdisciplinary Experiment Facility (CHIEF) at Zhejiang University. (Photo/Long Wei)
Zooming out to the broader Xihu district, there are 4 innovation ecosystems centered on Zhejiang University. Each ecosystem revolves round educational establishments, with Xihu authorities actively selling inter-cluster collaboration, enabling the sharing of sources and the amplification of innovation capability.
Hangzhou has additionally constructed an intensive innovation platform matrix comprising one nationwide laboratory, two nationwide scientific analysis services, 33 nationwide key laboratories, and 7 provincial-level labs – collectively fostering a dynamic environment that helps technological analysis and commercialization.
RoboCT, an organization primarily based within the Future Science and Technology City in Yuhang district, Hangzhou, makes a speciality of growing exoskeleton robots that assist people with disabilities stand and stroll once more by rehabilitation.
In 2021, simply as the corporate was getting ready for mass manufacturing, it confronted a significant problem: discovering a brand new manufacturing house. Co-founder Zhang Jiyu reported the difficulty to the administration committee of the Future Science and Technology City and the native neighborhood committee. The subsequent day, a authorities consultant arrived with an inventory of accessible manufacturing unit areas – two full pages of choices. Zhang was deeply impressed.
When Hangzhou hosted the 4th Asian Para Games in 2023, Zhang and his workforce noticed a chance to showcase their merchandise and submitted a request to exhibit on the Games Village. “We didn’t expect much. We just thought we’d give it a shot,” Zhang recalled. To their shock, the appliance was accredited.
“Our exoskeleton robots were successfully exhibited at the 4th Asian Para Games Village. After international athletes tried them and shared their experiences online, the products quickly went viral overseas,” Zhang mentioned. Since then, the corporate has expanded into worldwide markets, with exports now reaching over 30 international locations and areas.
To present responsive and focused assist, Hangzhou has rolled out a spread of initiatives, together with a “chain chief system” with devoted job forces, tailor-made insurance policies for key enterprises, and a “sci-tech envoy program” to assist firms overcome technical challenges.
Built on a powerful digital financial system basis, pushed by a thriving innovation ecosystem, and supported by proactive public providers, Hangzhou continues to enhance its enterprise environment, releasing new momentum for innovation and entrepreneurship.
An amphibious clever robotic performs an obstacle-collision experiment in Qiantang district, Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang province. (Photo/Zhang Yongtao)
(Web editor: Liang Jun, Zhong Wenxing)