Int'l Industry Fair celebrates innovation

The China International Industry Fair, which opened on Tuesday in Shanghai, provides insight into the country's program to boost technological innovation and energy efficiency. That effort is aimed at pursuing sustainable economic growth.

The China International Industry Fair, which opened on Tuesday in Shanghai, provides insight into the country's program to boost technological innovation and energy efficiency.

At the Industry Fair, this moving basket is drawing lots of attention from visitors.

One visitor of China International Industry Fair said "The basket moves in another direction as soon as you want to shoot the ball to a particular side. In addition, it moves very fast."

One exhibitor of China International Industry Fair said "Using the machine to shoot balls is just for fun. But, by doing so, you can see it has a function of very precise positioning. Actually, it is designed for things requiring high precision."

Experts say this kind of robotic arm will be gradually equipped on production lines to make autos, LCD screens, or moulds.

One exhibitor of China International Industry Fair said "It can take things from one place to another place as you need. It will not drop things due to the acceleration either."

At the fair, visitors can also see fuel-cell car models. Plans call for them to be used during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. A number of hydrogen stations will be built around the grounds to refill the cars.

Zhu Qiaobin, Engineer of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. said "The Expo is pursuing zero emissions inside the campus. Therefore, we will provide electric cars and fuel-cell vehicles during the Expo to achieve this goal."

Analysts feel that innovation is the key driver of industrialization. The Shanghai government says it will offer tax incentives to local companies winning awards at this year's event. This is expected to encourage innovation, and speed up commercialization.