2027 8^th International Conference on Mechatronics Technology and Intelligent Manufacturing (ICMTIM 2027)

ICMTIM 2026

The 7th International Conference on Mechatronics Technology and Intelligent Manufacturing (ICMTIM 2026) concluded successfully at the Guangzhou International Campus of South China University of Technology from April 17th to 19th, 2026. This conference is hosted by the Institute of Intelligent Manufacturing of Guangdong Academy of Sciences, co-organized by the Professional Committee of Intelligent Manufacturing Systems and Technology of the Chinese Association of Automation, the Robot Branch of Guangdong Mechanical Engineering Society and South China University of Technology, and has received strong support from Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Guangdong University of Technology and other institutions. The conference brought together nearly two hundred experts, scholars and researchers from universities, research institutes and industry enterprises at home and abroad. They engaged in a high-level, in-depth and multi-dimensional academic exchange and intellectual collision around the cutting-edge directions such as mechatronics, intelligent manufacturing and robot technology.

Elites gather in Guangzhou to jointly celebrate the academic grand event

The conference officially kicked off on the afternoon of April 17th. After a brief registration and check-in, two parallel seminars began. Workshop I, themed "Knowledge Acquisition and Innovation of Research Models in the Era of Artificial Intelligence", was hosted by Professor Zhong Yong from South China University of Technology. Professor Wang Tao from Sun Yat-sen University, Professor Zou Tao from Guangzhou University, and Associate Professor Wang Rui from Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen) respectively shared in depth on topics such as the dual impact of AI on university research, the development trends of somatic intelligence and industrial manufacturing, and the paradigm shift of industrial defect detection from human experience to large model knowledge. The on-site discussion was lively.

Associate Researcher Wu Hongmin from the National Innovation Center for Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Professor Zhou Peng from Guangdong University of Technology/Hong Kong University, Associate Professor Chen Wenan from Guangdong University of Technology, and Associate Researcher Wu Hongmin respectively shared valuable experiences in terms of submitting papers, the review process, and organizing special issues from the perspective of deputy editors of top journals, promoting excellent domestic journals, and the development practices of local journals. These insights provided practical guidance for young scholars on academic publication.

A gathering of top experts, insights into the future: Conference reports lead the way with cutting-edge perspectives

On the morning of April 18th, Researcher Zhou Xuefeng, co-chair of the conference and deputy director of the Institute of Intelligent Manufacturing of the Guangdong Academy of Sciences, presided over the opening ceremony. Professor Chen Xiaoqi, an academician of the New Zealand Academy of Engineering and the Royal New Zealand Academy of Sciences, and the dean of the Wu Xianming School of Intelligent Engineering at South China University of Technology, delivered a welcoming speech. He highly affirmed the significant role of the ICMTIM series of conferences in promoting the cross-integration of mechatronics and intelligent manufacturing, and looked forward to the scholars attending the conference using this platform to stimulate innovation and deepen cooperation. Subsequently, the conference moved on to the keynote report session. The first half was chaired by Professor Xu Dabo from South China University of Technology, the chairperson of the conference's organizing committee.

Professor Wang Danwei (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Fellow of the Singapore Academy of Engineering, IEEE Life Fellow) in the report titled "Mag-Loc - Ambient Magnetic Field-based Positioning System" The system reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of the existing positioning technologies and proposed a brand-new magnetic field positioning concept that does not require infrastructure, has no cumulative error, and is easy to integrate obstacle avoidance and path planning, which has attracted widespread attention.

Professor Liu Yunhui (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Academician of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering, IEEE Fellow) in his presentation titled "AI-Powered Robots for Logistics and Surgical Automation" The system showcases the full-chain empowerment achievements of AI, ranging from 3D environmental perception, VLM-driven motion planning, to enhanced skill learning and VLA models, and introduces its practical applications in scenarios such as logistics automation and robot-assisted autonomous surgery.

Researcher Yang Guilin (Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Specially-appointed Expert) in the report titled "Investigation of Compliant Mechanisms in Robotics and Automation Systems" The advantages and limitations of the compliant mechanism were systematically analyzed. Based on the design concept of playing to strengths and avoiding weaknesses, the research progress in aspects such as nano-actuators, ultra-precision motion platforms, variable stiffness grippers and rope-driven continuum robots was introduced.

Finally, Professor Yang Chenguang (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University) In the report "Human-like robot control, skill learning, and Human-Robot collaboration" by IEEE/IET/IMechE/BCS/AAIA Fellow This paper systematically introduces the safety contact control of humanoid compliant adjustment, the skill learning generalization framework of force-position coupling operation, and the innovative idea of integrating adaptive control into skill learning. It effectively breaks through the core bottleneck of the separation between skill learning and low-level control in force contact tasks, and significantly improves the skill generalization ability in unknown scenarios.

The sub-forums were diverse and flourishing, and the specialized discussions were advanced in depth

In the afternoon of the same day, three specially invited thematic forums were held in parallel, covering hot topics such as intelligent robots and autonomous systems, robots and intelligent manufacturing, and special robots, fully demonstrating the breadth and depth of academic research.

At the "Special Robots" Forum (Host: Researcher Xu Zhihao from the Institute of Intelligent Manufacturing, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, and Professor Zhao Zhijia from Guangzhou University systematically expounded "Adaptive Learning Control of 2-DOF Helicopter". Professor Liu Zhijie from University of Science and Technology Beijing delivered a wonderful report titled "System Design and Control Technology of Micro Bionic Flapping Wing Aircraft". In addition, scholars from Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), National University of Defense Technology, University of South China and other institutions engaged in in-depth exchanges on cutting-edge topics such as soft robots, vibration-driven microrobots, satellite risk assessment, and 3D printing radiotherapy.

At the "Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing" forum (Host: Associate Researcher Wu Hongmin from the National Technology Innovation Center of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Researcher Sun Huanbo from Peking University gave a report titled "Super-Resolution Haptic Sensing Technology". Professor Lu Zhenyu from South China University of Technology gave an in-depth lecture on "Robotic Sensing, Compliant Manipulation, and Skill Learning". Dozens of oral presentation scholars shared their latest research achievements from various directions such as video-driven motion generation, vision-guided sorting, digital twin predictive maintenance, and bearing fault diagnosis.

Moments of honor inspire innovation

At the end of the forum The sub-venues respectively presented the "Best Conference Paper Award", "Best Student Paper Award" and "Best Paper in Robotics" The Award is given to scholars who have demonstrated outstanding performance in innovation, technical depth and presentation. The winners went on stage to receive their awards and took photos with the award presenters. The scene was filled with continuous applause and a lively atmosphere.

The event has come to a successful conclusion. We look forward to the future

The successful holding of the ICMTIM 2026 International Academic Conference not only provided a high-level and broad-minded academic exchange platform for scholars in the fields of mechatronics and intelligent manufacturing at home and abroad, but also further promoted in-depth cooperation among domestic and foreign universities, research institutes and industry enterprises. The organizer, the Institute of Intelligent Manufacturing of Guangdong Academy of Sciences, stated that the intellectual achievements gathered and the cooperative ties established at the conference will surely have a positive and far-reaching impact on scientific and technological innovation and industrial development in the fields of intelligent manufacturing, robot technology and high-end equipment in China and even globally. We look forward to gathering again at the next conference, continuing to explore the cutting-edge of technology together and jointly creating a bright future for intelligent manufacturing.