AI system has been greatly empowered the migrant bird observation and conservation works for researchers at Dianchi Lake, a key overwintering site for these flying creatures in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province.
At present, researchers are conducting annual observation and counting of the red-billed gulls, a representative overwintering migratory bird in Kunming, at Caohai Dam area in Dianchi Lake.
"Traditionally, we basically use a telescope to scan from left to right every day," said Cao Guangxiu, an engineer at Kunming Dianchi Plateau Lake Research Institute.
However, researchers at the Dianchi Plateau Lake Research Institute in Kunming are now applying the latest AI bird-watching system involving drones and cameras to do the job with previously impossible precision and efficiency.
According to a case given by the researchers, the drone rose to a height of about 60 meters above the water surface and took pictures and recorded red-billed gulls according to the pre-set route, and the computer identified that there are more than 2,000 red-headed gulls in the observation range within tens of second.
"It is mainly suitable for relatively open areas with concentrated bird populations and large numbers. We now use drones to take off and land twice a day in the morning and evening to obtain real-time image data. We can obtain the population status of the red-billed gulls in Dianchi Lake more accurately and efficiently," said Pan Min, deputy director of Kunming Dianchi Plateau Lake Research Institute.
Moreover, the research institute also use the voiceprint recognition system to confirm bird species by their calls.
The use of this system has solved the problems of high cost, low efficiency and data fragmentation of traditional manual monitoring technology, and effectively improved the efficiency of bird diversity monitoring and realized long-term, continuous bird observation in the area, according to Pan.
"Because the chirping of birds has its own species characteristics, and at the same time, the artificial intelligence algorithm can collect and organize its species information to provide further support for our subsequent ecological research," said Pan.
AI system empowers migrant bird monitoring in Kunming
As the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) approaches, major exhibitors in the healthcare and skincare sectors have expressed excitement about showcasing their innovative products, fostering collaborations and expanding their reach in the Chinese market.
Themed "New Era, Shared Future," the 7th CIIE is scheduled for November 5-10 in Shanghai, featuring participation from 152 countries, regions and international organizations, including 77 countries and international organizations for national exhibitions and nearly 3,500 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions for business exhibitions.
Many multinationals view the expo as a prime opportunity to display their latest products and seek new collaborations.
Guan Hong, a representative for the Chinese branch of the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, reflected on the company's successful participation in previous CIIEs and expressed optimism about introducing innovative products to the Chinese market for the benefit of patients.
"Novartis has attended all the CIIE in the past 7 years. We've really witnessed the medicines [going] from the exhibition finally to the public. In the 2021 CIIE, we got a cooperation agreement with Hainan Bo'ao, and then we piloted the study before we got approval. Last year, we got a fast approval by NMPA (National Medical Products Administration), and now it's already benefited more than 10,000 patients in China. We really want to bring the fast-approach products and innovative products to China as soon as possible to benefit as many patients as possible," said Guan, referring to the annual Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) held in the resort town of Boao, southern China's Hainan Province and the China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), the country's top drug regulator.
Jean-Christophe Pointeau, global senior vice president of Pfizer, a U.S.-based pharmaceutical company, expressed optimism about signing memorandums of understanding (MoUs) at this year's edition, citing a favorable regulatory environment for foreign investment in China's biopharmaceutical sector.
"A lot of trade will happen within the ecosystem of healthcare, but also memorandums of understanding. You know that Pfizer, we have a series of MoUs we are going to sign. And recently, from the Third Plenum, we saw that the policies on high-quality development for innovation of the biopharmaceutical sector is one of them, but also policies to ease the foreign investment. So, this environment is extremely positive and extremely encouraging for the multinationals. And that's why Pfizer and other multinationals are extremely confident," Pointeau said, referring to the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held this July, which put great emphasis on high-quality development, technological innovation and industrial upgrading.
Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido has a history of embracing trends in technology, from using humanoid robots in their manufacturing process to developing an augmented reality app to help give users skincare tips. Toshinobu Umetsu, president and CEO of Shiseido China, said the company plans to emphasize its innovations incorporating its products with autonomous driving at this year's CIIE.
"For this year's CIIE, we looked at the 'mobility space' with autonomous driving, which is often seen as an iconic advanced innovation around the world. We invite visitors to discover more about the cornerstone on which Shiseido's innovations are built. So, [we have] globally-leading standards in product safety and quality management," he said.
As the world's first national-level import-themed expo, the CIIE is held annually at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai.
Since its first edition in 2018, this expo has become an important stage spotlighting China's new development paradigm, a platform for high-level opening-up and a public good for the whole world.
Global firms gear up for 7th CIIE with innovative exhibits
