Smart Hardware Action Plan Published

On September  21, The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) published a special action plan for the development of smart hardware, which includes things like wearable devices, medical equipment, and service robots.

Released as a compliment to the Internet + Artificial Intelligence 3 Year Action Plan, this plan sets the guidelines for developing the smart hardware market and increasing product availability as well as hardware applications.

Overall, smart hardware will help to develop artificial intelligence in our everyday products. AI technology will be integrated into everything from our phones to our TV to build a new generation of ICT services. By 2018, China aims to occupy more than 30% of the world’s smart hardware market, which is estimated to be worth 500 Billion RMB. There are a lot of opportunities to achieve breakthroughs in innovative products for the growing market, but there are also a lot of challenges including the need for key technology and a strong ecological framework.

AI has the ability to improve auto hardware, medical devices, service robots, and industrial hardware as well as to develop cloud terminal operations and applications. It is critical for China to develop a secure, reliable cloud terminal so that these products can function in a safe way. Features such as ID confirmation, AI language, photo recognition and mobile payments will all run through cloud applications. Currently, China will focus on using this technology to develop the medical, sports, health, and manufacturing industries. By promoting innovation and improving standards, China will create a healthy ecosystem for AI development.

hanying version
On September 21, The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) published the Smart Hardware Industry Innovation and Development Initiative 2016-2018, which is in accordance with the Three-Year Implementation Program for Internet+ Artificial Intelligence and aims to upgrade smart terminals and accelerate the applications of smart hardware in various industries.

The initiative is a concrete plan implementing  "Internet +" action plan that:  

  • clearly defines smart hardware as emerging Internet terminal products that possess the ability to collect, process and transmit information, and can provide features such as smart sensing, interaction and big data services for the first time;
  • aims to reach a RMB 500 billion industry and make breakthroughs in critical technology such as low power light weight operation systems, low power wide area internet of things, virtual reality, human machine interaction, high performance and motion control technology among others;
  • calls for enhanced supply capacity in high-end smart wearables, smart vehicle, smart medical and health equipment, smart service robots, industrial grade intelligent hardware, including industrial sensors, industrial gateway, smart PLC and industrial wearables, etc.;
  • promotes the application of smart terminals in health, education, medical and industrial sectors and creates innovation system and supportive ecosystem for the development of smart hardware;
  • stresses the importance of building support platforms in standards development, product and application tests, industry supply capability monitor platforms, creating supportive ecosystems and setting up national funds to support technology R&D and application demonstration