2025 Shanghai Industrial Technology Innovation: Ten Major Events

1. Release of the Implementation Plan for the Innovation and Development of Shanghai’s Pilot Test Platforms

To strengthen the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, Shanghai has introduced the Implementation Plan for the Innovation and Development of Shanghai’s Pilot Test Platforms (document number:沪经信技[2025]365号). This plan includes three major components and 15 specific tasks aimed at optimizing the pilot test service network, enhancing the comprehensiveness and professionalism of the service system, and improving the ecosystem for pilot test development. The goal is to establish around 20 fully functional, open, and distinctive municipal pilot test platforms in key industrial sectors by 2027, and to strive for the creation of three national-level pilot test platforms to robustly support Shanghai’s industrial development.

2. Successful Progress in the Construction of Pilot Test Platforms

As a critical step in converting technological achievements into industrial applications, 11 pilot test platforms have been included in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s first batch of key cultivation platforms. Two platforms, operated by Shanghai Aviation Industry Corporation and Jiaotong University Zhiyuan, have been awarded national-level status. Additionally, four exemplary municipal pilot test platforms have been established, focusing on photoresists and raw materials, a new energy storage testing base, high-end machine tools for aerospace applications, and humanoid robots. The new energy storage testing base has commenced functional testing of vanadium flow batteries, while the humanoid robot platform offers comprehensive test services from validation to small-batch production. Over 50 municipal pilot test platforms have been reserved for future cultivation.

3. Strategic Planning for Future Industries

Shanghai has developed and released tailored plans for future industries such as atomic-level manufacturing, embodied intelligence, AI+ manufacturing, and ultra-high-definition audiovisual technology, providing systematic policy support for their development. Participation in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s 2025 Future Industry Innovation Task has led to 24 projects focusing on quantum technology, atomic-level manufacturing, and clean hydrogen being selected. Initiatives include constructing an atomic-level polishing system, flexible perovskite batteries, quantum computing resource scheduling, and high-performance membranes as part of Shanghai’s future industry experimental projects.

4. Advancements in Atomic-Level Manufacturing

To solidify the foundation for atomic-level manufacturing in Shanghai, the first provincial action plan has been released: Shanghai’s Action Plan for the Innovative Development of Future Industries in Atomic-Level Manufacturing (2026-2028). This plan targets breakthroughs in 15 tasks, including atomic-level processing technology and measurement techniques, to accelerate innovation and industrial application in this field. A forum on atomic-level manufacturing attracted over 700 guests and featured 29 exhibiting companies. Additionally, a series of technical exchange activities were organized, connecting 17 companies with over 10 industry experts.

5. Successful Hosting of the Future Industrial Innovation Exhibition and Competition

From September 23-27, 2025, during the China International Industry Fair, the Future Industrial Innovation Exhibition was held under the theme “Bridging Industrial Gaps, Advancing to Future Intelligent Manufacturing.” This event highlighted innovative achievements and development trends in various industrial sectors, showcasing 57 products from 29 companies, including the debut of a coherent light quantum computer by Beijing Boson Quantum. The global Future Industry Star Competition covered six major future industry sectors and 21 technology directions, promoting deep integration of innovation and industry chains. A themed forum titled Shaping New Industrial Chapters, Forging Future Engines attracted over 400 guests from nearly 300 enterprises.

6. Shanghai Ranks First in National-Level Enterprise Technology Centers

In line with the overall layout of the innovation-driven development strategy, efforts have been made to enhance the cultivation of enterprise technology centers, continuously improving the “national-city-district” three-tier innovation network. In 2025, seven national-level enterprise technology centers were newly established, along with 73 city-level centers. Shanghai now has a total of 115 national-level enterprise technology centers, leading all cities in this regard, as well as 1,128 city-level and over 2,000 district-level centers. The research and development intensity of city-level enterprise technology centers is at 5.84%, with 17.1% of listed companies involved. Additionally, 528 enterprises possess laboratories and testing institutions certified by national or international organizations, with an average of over 62 valid invention patents per company in 2025, reflecting a 34.8% increase from 2023.

7. Enhancements in Manufacturing Innovation Centers

By consolidating resources, Shanghai has established three national-level and 11 city-level manufacturing innovation centers. Among these, the jointly built humanoid robot innovation center has achieved 112 intellectual property outcomes and has led or participated in the formulation of 60 standards. It has also established the world’s first training ground for heterogeneous humanoid robots, which has been successfully included in national standardization pilot projects. The Shanghai Superconducting Innovation Center has developed superconducting magnets for controlled nuclear fusion and participated in three provincial-level key research projects, winning the first prize for scientific and technological progress in China’s electric power sector. The Advanced Laser Technology Innovation Center’s two research and development centers have developed the “Newton Ring” aluminum spot welding technology, which is now being applied in over 20 automotive and energy storage enterprises.

8. Notable Market Application of Innovative Products

Efforts to accelerate the promotion and application of innovative products have resulted in 1,237 products being included in the Shanghai Innovation Product Recommendation Directory. Support has been provided for 16 innovative products to enter the market, generating sales of 1.28 billion yuan. Among them, Mu Xi Integrated Circuit’s innovative product, the “AI Inference GPU Xisi N100,” targets cloud data center applications, breaking through traditional GPU performance limitations. Additionally, Jie Hydrogen Tech’s fuel cell stack and systems are utilized in long-life metal plate fuel cell products for vehicles, while Shanma Intelligent has launched an AI algorithm all-in-one machine for smart transportation, energy management, and large crowd management, facilitating the construction of an innovation platform.

9. Strengthening the Foundations of Industrial Standards

The New Industrial Standardization Leadership Forum was held in Shanghai, where several standardization innovations were released, including the New Industrial Standard Excellent Case Collection, the Tongdao Standard Model V2.0, and the Lithium Battery Carbon Footprint Background Database V3.0. Evaluation benchmarks such as EI Bench and CPU Bench V1.3 were released for key areas like embodied intelligence and CPUs. The “Excellent Quality Engineering in Manufacturing” initiative continues to promote “Quality Benchmark” activities, with 29 enterprises recognized for outstanding quality management practices in Shanghai. Changxin Storage Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.’s “Detection Circuit and Detection Method” received a second prize in the patent project category.

10. Highlighting Achievements in Industry Chain Collaboration

Focusing on key industrial chains, a comprehensive collaborative innovation mechanism has been established to promote deep integration among various entities along the industry chain. The automotive electronics industry chain has seen a “one-stop” collaboration involving Huada Semiconductor, Jita Semiconductor, Beiling Co., and United Electronics, achieving product development for SiC MOSFETs through close cooperation from chip design to manufacturing and module application in motor controllers. Similarly, the bearing equipment industry chain achieved a “one-stop” collaboration involving Baixin Bearings, Renben Group, and United Imaging Medical, resulting in significant breakthroughs and industrial applications of key technologies for third-generation CT machine wire rolling bearings.