Handa Industries and Jiangnan University Inaugurate Joint Laboratory for Embodied Robot Intelligent Exterior‑Covering Systems

On August 31, the unveiling and projectsigning ceremony of the Joint Laboratory for Intelligent Cladding Systems of Embodied Robots, coestablished by Handa Industries and Jiangnan University, was grandly held at Jiangnan University. This universityenterprise strategic cooperation takes the indepth integration of industryuniversityresearch as the starting point. It brings together the cuttingedge scientific research capabilities of Jiangnan University and the industrial implementation resources of Handa Industries. Through strongalliance collaboration and complementary advantages, both parties will strive to overcome key technical challenges in the field of intelligent cladding systems for embodied robots and accelerate the industrialization of forwardlooking scientific research achievements.

VicePresident Liu Long of Jiangnan University delivered a speech at the event. On behalf of the university, he extended a warm welcome to all guests present. He pointed out that the establishment of this joint laboratory is an important measure for the university to serve national strategic needs and deepen the integration of industry and education.

Heng Zeli, President of Handa Industries, delivered a speech. She reviewed Handa’s development achievements built over more than 30 years of deep engagement in the textile industry and global industrial chain layout. She stated that empowering the robot cladding sector with textile technology marks a natural extension of the textile industry’s journey toward intelligent manufacturing upgrading. Jiangnan University boasts a timehonored textile discipline and strong research capabilities, while Handa Industries possesses proven industrialization and commercialization expertise. Through this powerful partnership, both sides will give full play to their respective strengths, convert cuttingedge research outcomes into marketready massproduced products, and jointly develop a “second skin” for robots with integrated perception and interaction functions.

Xiao Bin, Deputy Director of Wuxi Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, delivered a speech. He offered guidance and expectations for this universityenterprise cooperation from the perspective of local industrial development. He stated that the crossborder integration of textiles and robots represents a key direction for Wuxi to foster new quality productive forces. He looks forward to both parties accelerating the implementation of research achievements and contributing to the highquality development of the city’s advanced manufacturing industry.

Witnessed by all guests present, Heng Zeli, President of Handa Industries, and Liu Long, VicePresident of Jiangnan University, jointly unveiled the joint laboratory. Jiang Yanhui, Vice President of Handa Industries, and Ma Pibo, Dean of the School of Textile Science and Engineering of Jiangnan University, signed the project cooperation agreement on behalf of both parties. This marks a substantial step forward in the industry university research cooperation between Handa Industries and Jiangnan University.

Upon the conclusion of the unveiling and signing ceremony, a specialtopic project seminar was convened immediately. Dong Zhijia, Associate Professor of the College of Textile Science and Engineering, Jiangnan University, delivered a detailed introduction to the development objectives, overall planning and technical roadmap of the joint laboratory. Song Yun, Lecturer of the College of Textile Science and Engineering, presented a special report on the firstyear R&D plan, technical foundation and key module research priorities of the project. All participants held indepth discussions on followup R&D directions of the laboratory, industrialization implementation paths and alignment with the demands of Wuxi’s local robot industry. A consensus was reached on multiple initiatives including the universityenterprise collaboration to push forward project implementation.

The jointlybuilt joint laboratory will focus on research and development in the field of intelligent cladding systems for embodied robots. Centered on flexible cladding, it will pursue indepth innovation in multilevel functional integration and build a bridge linking universityled scientific innovation and industrial transformation. Going forward, Handa Industries will continue to deepen collaborative innovation among industry, university and research institutions, and stay committed to intelligent manufacturing transformation. Taking this joint laboratory as an innovation platform, the company will explore more possibilities for crossborder integration between new textile materials and the robot industry, further strengthen industryresearch cooperation, and foster a new growth pole for the development of textile intelligent manufacturing.