An international artificial intelligence sanitation robot competition is underway in Shenzhen as the tech hub steps up moves to accelerate the real-word deployment of cutting-edge technologies in urban management.
The competition, which is jointly organized by the Shenzhen municipal and Longgang district governments and runs from Wednesday through Saturday in Longgang district, features real-scenario contests in three categories — park squares, sidewalks and non-motorized lanes, and auxiliary roads — creating a platform for participating enterprises to showcase their technologies to government and corporate buyers.
Urban management departments from over 200 cities nationwide and more than 500 enterprises were invited to the event. Organizers said they will facilitate matching on-site demand, granting enterprises access to government procurement information and supporting the conversion of technological demonstrations into tangible business orders.
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“Longgang district is sparing no effort to implement the ‘All in AI’ strategy. We will allocate government procurement orders worth 10 billion yuan ($141 million) to drive the application of more than 1,000 intelligent robots in sectors including urban management and public services,” said Zhang Yuqing, deputy district mayor of Longgang.
The push for AI-driven sanitation aligns with Longgang’s longstanding commitment to developing the AI industry. The district launched the world’s first AI 6S store, which provides integrated services for software development and hardware manufacturing. The AI store undertakes six major functions: Show, Sale, School, Social, Solution, and Startup, offering comprehensive services that range from product display and sales to solution development, talent training, community building, and startup incubation.
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It also opened an innovative robot 6S store, which serves to expand application scenarios for robots and involve them more closely with consumers’ everyday lives.
“Shenzhen stands as a trailblazer in the country’s unmanned and intelligent sanitation industry, taking the lead in both technological R&D and practical application,” said Cao Man, the competition’s chief judge.
The city’s leading position has been solidified not only by its forward-looking policies, but also by its tangible on-the-ground achievements, he said.
However, popularization of fully unmanned sanitation scenarios is a phased process, Cao added.
“Considering the complexity of the entire chain and the need for seamless connection between different unmanned systems, it is expected that Shenzhen may achieve fully unmanned sanitation operations only after 30 years.”
Contact the writer at sally@chinadailyhk.com
