Smart manufacturing highlighted at National Industrial Software Congress

The 2024 National Industrial Software Congress, hosted by the Chinese Association of Automation, kicked off on Saturday in Shanghai, bringing together over 1,000 experts and scholars to discuss how intelligent technologies can empower industrial production.

At the event, the National Center of Technology Innovation for Smart Process Manufacturing, in collaboration with 26 other agencies, officially launched the "Industrial Operating System Alliance" while jointly releasing the white paper on intelligent industrial operating system, which provides an in-depth analysis of the core concepts, technical architecture, industry applications, and future trends of the intelligent industrial operating system.

"The intelligent industrial operating system features deep integration of next-generation information technology and industrial operation technology, serving as the 'nerve center' of the smart factory," said Xue Dong, associate professor at the School of Information Science and Engineering under the East China University of Science and Technology.

"We stress the role of artificial intelligence in industry, supporting digital transformation, intelligent upgrade, and systemic reform of enterprises across the board—covering the security of business operation, manufacturing and production, and industrial and supply chains," Xue said. Themed "AI for Engineering·Industrial Software Empowers New Industrialization", the two-day event has invited 10 established academicians to deliver keynote speeches. In addition, 15 parallel forums are scheduled, covering topics ranging from research and development, manufacturing to AI empowerment to explore new ideas, technologies, and applications in the industrial software sector.

An Industrial Software Achievement Exhibition has also been held, showcasing China's latest models, advanced algorithms, and software development in the industrial software sector. The exhibition also provides a platform for deep collaboration and communication among industries, universities, research institutes and end-users.

Smart manufacturing highlighted at National Industrial Software Congress

China's domestically developed anti-submarine Wing Loong-X UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) made its debut on Tuesday at the ongoing 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.

The Wing Loong-X is currently the largest and heaviest armed reconnaissance and strike UAV in China, with a range of capabilities including long endurance and multiple payload options. It can fly for up to 40 hours and reach altitudes of 10,000 meters.

The UAV also has a quick response feature, allowing it to rapidly switch configurations and payloads based on mission needs.

"Under its wings, you can see two sets of sonar buoys and air-to-air missiles, with a torpedo hanging beneath. The customer demands it leads the world by five years, with strong detection and countering capabilities for air, land, sea, and underwater targets," said Tang Yong, UAV chief designer at Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

In addition to the Wing Loong-X, China's air force debuted two other new reconnaissance and strike UAVs, which are designed for tactical reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike missions, with capabilities to carry electro-optical sensors, synthetic aperture radar, and communication reconnaissance equipment, enabling them to target fixed and moving objects on land and at sea.

The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, is scheduled to run from Tuesday to Sunday.

China's self-developed Wing Loong-X UAV debuts at Zhuhai Airshow