China Launches Its First 'Big Shield' Institute

China's first industry-integrated "big shield" and underground space technological development institute was launched in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, on May 17.

Initiated by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, the institute is the company's first to integrate high-tech research and development of in the "big shield" industry, as well as high-level talent gathering, professional talent cultivation, advantageous industry incubation and technology and innovation services.

It will be a platform for the promotion of the integration of production, education, research and applications in China, and push forward the high-quality development of enterprises.

With the world's largest smart shield control center, staff members at the institute are able to carry out the real-time operation of underwater machines thousands of meters away, using big data and industrial internet technologies.

Experts and academicians can also realize accurate remote inspections to efficiently solve frontline problems.

Based on such advanced technologies, all engineering processes are monitored and this monitoring data is collected on the same platform. This enables real-time early warnings of risks in construction and potential technological management issues.

The institute will continue to allocate resources and cooperate with colleges and universities, scientific institutes, and national technological centers built by enterprises to develop technologies and guide technical improvements, cultivate technical talents and promote high-end industrial development.

Jiangsu's first underwater tunnel technological innovation platform and China's first "big shield" science education and practice base were also launched on the same day.

(Executive editor: Hao Wen)