Work begins on sensor tech center

Jiading recently broke ground for the National Intelligent Sensor Innovation Center. The center will concentrate on sensor technology innovation, hoping to develop into a world-class laboratory.

Led by the Shanghai Industrial Technology Research Institute, it will unite leading forces in the field, such as the Sensors and Internet of Things Industry Association, which boasts 600 member companies.

Luo Wen, vice minister of Industry and Information Technology, and Zhou Bo, executive vice mayor of Shanghai, presided over the unveiling ceremony.

With a focus on research and development and test pilot production, the sensor innovation center will specialize in designing and developing integrated technology, advanced manufacturing and new material for sensors as well as the Internet of Things applications.

Intelligent sensor technology based on MEMS (or Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) and advanced sensors is said to be a major source of information and data in the future “smart” era. It has become the foundation of all kinds of Internet of Things architectures.

Wang Xi, president of Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, said that with the rise of the Internet of Things, big data and artificial intelligence, the intelligent sensors will play an important role in providing important information and data.

The center is one of two national innovation centers to be built in Shanghai. The other is the National Integrated Circuit Innovation Center that will be built in Zhangjiang Science City in the Pudong New Area, where more than 200 domestic and overseas well-known IC firms are located.

The construction of the two centers was approved by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, making Shanghai the only city in China to have two national innovation manufacturing centers.