Cutting-edge exhibits at second CIIE show charm of innovation

A visitor experiences the universe via virtual reality devices at the FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope) model presented by China Pavilion of the second CIIE. Photo by Weng Qiyu from People’s Daily Online

As the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) recently raised its curtain, many of the world’s most advanced high-tech products have been unveiled at this highly anticipated grand event. Some of them are futuristic, revealing the creativity of science and technology, while some are close to daily life, making it much easier in all aspects.

Now let’s take a look at these state-of-the-art products with People’s Daily.

Car that can fly

At the automobiles exhibition section of the second CIIE, KLEIN Aircar, a flying vehicle built by Slovakian company Klein Vision attracts huge crowds. With “Aircar” printed at the sides, the vehicle is telling the world that it is both a car and an aircraft. It is able to spread its “wings” and turn from driving mode to flying mode in a short time.

The outer design of the flying car is different from traditional ones, as it is more like an aircraft with four wheels. Its streamline modeling offers better flying performance, and it is equipped with huge wing units and spoiler. It is learnt that the Aircar can fly as high as 3,000 meters, and reach a speed of 250 kilometers per hour.

Anti-graffiti coating

Many have been annoyed by children who tried to present “graffiti art” on walls, as well as flypostingson the streets. Well, the anti-graffiti coating brought by German chemical company Wacker Chemie AG to the CIIE might relieve the headache.

This paint can form a permanent preventative silicone coating at its base, and any mark left by markers or ink pens can be wiped clean with a piece of tissue. In addition, it is paste-resistant, so that the flyposting can be easily removed without residual.

Parcel-delivering unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

A UAV is displayed at the exhibition booth of DHL of the trade in services exhibition area. The vehicle is able to carry express delivery parcels that weigh as much as 5 kilograms and has a range of around 8 kilometers. It is a “flying courier”.

Gu Shanshan, director of the DHL marketing department told People’s Daily that the drone started official operation in Dongguan, Guangdong in May. Through the automatic collaboration and seamless docking between the UAVs and DHL’s self-developed parcel pickup machines, the company has find a solution to the delivery challenge of the “last kilometer”. The UAV has largely improved delivery efficiency, shortening average delivery time from 40 minutes to 8 minutes.

Garbage-sorting robot

An AI-controlled garbage-sorting robot is busy working at the exhibition booth of multinational corporation ABB in the equipment sector. The robot is able to classify pop bottles as recyclable waste, bread leftovers as wet waste, disposable cups as dry waste, and expired medications as hazardous waste.. It has two flexible robotic arms that are able to throw the garbage into the proper bins.

In less than three seconds, the robot can identify, pick, and throw the garbage, and then put back its arms.

“The precise identification and sorting come from the application of a series of cutting-edge technologies such as AI-studying, cloud computing and robotics automation, and also from the collaboration between software and hardware,” said Liu Qianjin, chief technology officer of ABB China.

The AI-controlled garbage-sorting robot is also able to study by uploading operation data and device information onto the cloud for further analysis, so that it can better handle more complicated situations in the future and thus guarantee the precision of garbage sorting. It is both environmentally friendly and undemanding.

Thinnest and shortest injection needle

The world’s thinnest and shortest needle for insulin injection becomes a magnet at the section of medical equipment & health care products of the second CIIE.

“This new Japanese product is being exhibited for the first time in China, and many visitors have shown interests in it. A lot of diabetes patients, cooperative partners and hospitals paid specific trips here for it,” said Liu Gang, product manager of blood glucose products of Terumo Group.

This needle, named “NanopassJr.”, is only 0.18 millimeter thin at its end, with a length of merely 3 millimeters. The users could barely feel the pain when it penetrates the skin.

“The extreme fineness and design can effectively reduce the pain, and the shorter length will also enable the medicine to be fully absorbed after the insulin is injected into the adipose layer, thus lowering the risk of hypoglycemia,” Liu said, adding that the needle is now available in Chinese online stores and hospitals.