East China University of Science and Technology organized a special field trip on Sept 18, bringing international students to the Xuhui Riverside to explore the city's cutting-edge technological achievements.

They visited landmarks including the West Bund Dream Center, Tank Shanghai art space, and the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, experiencing the city's unique blend of historical heritage and futuristic technology.

Yu Tao, a professor from the university's College of International Education, said that the field trip turned textbook concepts such as the "Chinese Dream" into real-life experiences, offering students first-hand insights into Shanghai's latest achievements. Many international students majoring in computer science had long been curious about the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center and the West Bund International AI Tower, known as Shanghai’s "Vertical Silicon Valley", eager to witness this rapidly emerging hub for future industries.

At the Z·Pilot high-tech zone in the Center, the students were captivated by various innovative products. A student from Turkmenistan tried on AI-powered glasses with real-time translation. After learning about their multiple functions, from music playing to translation, he expressed his eagerness to buy the glasses, and shared his wish to stay in Shanghai after graduation.

The "AI + Elderly Care" experience area also left a strong impression. Products on display covered a wide range of daily life scenarios, including a multifunctional walking stick with built-in lighting and MP3 playback, ergonomically designed folding cane-chairs, and an AI-assisted tongue diagnosis device inspired by traditional Chinese medicine.

Students gasped in amazement as a chess-playing robot moved its nimble arm to place a piece and compete with a human player. They also interacted with a smart tabletop robot that responds to touch with distinctive reactions. This first trip of the semester, filled with fascination for technology, gave students a deeper appreciation of the vitality and innovation thriving in Xuhui.

Source: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Xuhui at "xuhuifabu"