»Automobil Industrie« China

With the theme “The Significance of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence in Modern Manufacturing Technologies,” the conference was organized by the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (AMTC) of Tongji University. The conference was co-chaired by Professor Jürgen Fleischer, Academician of the German Academy of Engineering and Director of the Institute for Production Science (wbk) at KIT; Professor MIN Junying, Vice Dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering at Tongji University; and Professor ZHANG Weimin, Director of the Institute of Modern Manufacturing Technology at Tongji University. The conference attracted more than one hundred experts and scholars from around the world. Under the transformative impact of technologies represented by artificial intelligence, the new manufacturing systems centered on intelligent manufacturing are rapidly evolving and accelerating the high-quality development of manufacturing with sustainability as a key dimension. Robotics and artificial intelligence are the core enablers of intelligent manufacturing and are becoming the main driving forces for the next phase of competition in global advanced manufacturing.

Attending leaders and keynote speakers included SONG Musheng, Secretary of the CPC SME Committee; Professor Jürgen Fleischer, Academician of the German Academy of Engineering and Director of the Institute for Production Science (wbk) at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology; Professor Ömer Sahin Ganiyusufoglu, Academician of the German Academy of Engineering and Consultant of Qingdao International Academician Park; Professor Bernd Kuhlenkötter, Director of the Institute of Production Systems at Ruhr University Bochum; WANG Xianfeng, Chief Technology Officer of Bond Intelligent Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.; LIU Shengxiang, Manufacturing Operation Director of NIO and Deputy Director of Anhui Research Institute of Intelligent Manufacturing and Advanced Technology for Automotive Engineering; SUN Aihong, Chief Representative in China of the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW); WU Xiutong, General Manager for Europe and the Americas of MAG; Björn Frerking, Business Director of Motion Control and CNC Systems Division, Siemens Digital Industries Asia-Pacific; ZENG Zebin, Head of the Humanoid Robotics Project Team at Leju Robotics Technology; and ZHANG Yu, Chief Technology Officer of Estun Automation.

Professor Jürgen Fleischer, Academician of the German Academy of Engineering and Director of the Institute for Production Science at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, delivered a keynote speech titled “Industrial Robots and Their Applications in Remanufacturing.” He pointed out that with the rapid growth of the new energy vehicle industry, a large number of electric vehicles will reach the end of their service life in the coming years. By then, the maintenance, disassembly, and recycling of critical components such as lithium batteries and electric motors will become increasingly significant. Therefore, it is crucial to develop intelligent disassembly process chains and proactively plan remanufacturing workflows using industrial robots with high flexibility and scalability before this situation arises.

During the conference, numerous experts, scholars, and representatives from academia and industry also delivered insightful presentations focusing on various aspects of sustainable manufacturing. Professor Bernd Kuhlenkötter from Ruhr University Bochum introduced a simulation-based system for processing concrete components, which couples energy and process models to support circular remanufacturing. WANG Xianfeng from Bond Intelligent Technology discussed modularization and flexibility innovations in flat-wire motor production. Professor Ömer Sahin Ganiyusufoglu drew upon his 20 years of experience living in China to analyze the emerging global technological order and expressed strong confidence in China’s future scientific and technological development. LIU Shengxiang from NIO showcased how advanced manufacturing is driving innovation in the electric vehicle industry. SUN Aihong from VDW elaborated on China’s accelerating progress toward intelligent and high-end machine tool development. WU Xiutong from MAG presented sustainable and low-carbon manufacturing solutions, highlighting energy-saving, recycling, and green production practices. Björn Frerking from Siemens explained the latest applications of SINUMERIK in the integrated control of machine tools and robots, illustrating how intelligent connectivity and digitalization enhance flexibility and automation. ZENG Zebin from Leju Robotics and ZHANG Yu from Estun Automation respectively shared recent research and applications of embodied intelligence in humanoid and industrial robots, demonstrating how embodied intelligence is driving the manufacturing sector toward greater autonomy, precision, and human-robot synergy.

During the exchange sessions, participants also visited the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (AMTC), jointly established by Tongji University and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in 2013. The laboratory showcased cutting-edge research projects including reconfigurable manufacturing systems for Industry 4.0, hybrid additive-subtractive manufacturing, robot forming technology, robotic cluster manufacturing, and megawatt-scale titanium bipolar plate fabrication and fuel cell stack assembly for fuel cells. During the tour, guests listened to detailed introductions, interacted with project leaders and students, and engaged in lively academic discussions in an inspiring atmosphere.    

The International Conference on Sustainable Manufacturing aims to bring together global scholars and industry experts in the field of sustainable manufacturing, providing an international platform for sharing the latest research outcomes, technological innovations, and discussions of emerging risks and challenges. It promotes technological progress and theoretical innovation in sustainable manufacturing, contributing to green, low-carbon, and energy-efficient development in global manufacturing. The successful hosting of this conference will further advance the world-class discipline development of mechanical engineering at Tongji University, enhance the academic reputation and industrial influence of its mechanical engineering programs, and accelerate progress toward the goals of intelligent manufacturing advancement, industrial transformation, and the cultivation of new productive forces.