On February 4, 2026, the unveiling ceremony for the "XJTLU-Changingtek Robotics Joint Laboratory"—established through a collaborative partnership between Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) and Changingtek Robotics Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.—was successfully held at the XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang). This laboratory will focus on cutting-edge fields such as dexterous robotic manipulation and tactile perception, aiming to foster the deep integration of industry, academia, and research, as well as to drive technological innovation.

The unveiling ceremony was jointly officiated by Professor Zhang Xiaojun, Chief Education Officer at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) and Head of the Leadership Group for the XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang); Dr. Bai Guochao, Chairman of Changingtek Robotics Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.; Professor Mohd Rizal Bin Arshad, Dean of the School of Intelligent Robots; Dr. Li Haoran, Director of the University-Enterprise Joint Laboratory; Ms. Tilina, CEO of Changingtek Robotics; and Ms. Zhao Xueyin, Vice President of Changingtek Robotics.

The ceremony was presided over by Dr. Xiao Bo from the School of Intelligent Robots. In his address, Professor Zhang Xiaojun—Chief Education Officer at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) and Head of the Leadership Group for the XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang)—stated that the establishment of the joint laboratory represents a pivotal strategic initiative for advancing frontier scientific research and cultivating innovative talent. He affirmed that the university would fully support the laboratory's development and expressed his hope that it would serve as a model for collaborative innovation between academia and industry.

Professor Mohd Rizal Bin Arshad, Dean of the School of Intelligent Robotics, noted that the laboratory serves as a pivotal practical component of the School's "Academia-Industry-Talent" integrated educational model. It will facilitate a closer alignment of cutting-edge research with real-world industrial demands, provide students with an invaluable practical platform, and collectively forge new frontiers in the integration of academia and industry.

Dr. Bai Guochao, Chairman of Changingtek Robotics, emphasized that the company will continue to invest resources and open up industrial application scenarios to fully support the laboratory's technological R&D and the commercialization of its research outcomes. He expressed the hope that, through this deep collaboration, they would provide critical technological support for industrial upgrading and achieve a win-win outcome for both the academic institution and the enterprise.

Dr. Li Haoran, Director of the Joint Laboratory, introduced the laboratory's strategic positioning and key achievements, with a particular focus on showcasing the team's independently developed, reversible dexterous hand. This technology breaks through the kinematic limitations of traditional robotic manipulators, enabling adaptive, multi-postural manipulation akin to that of a human hand; it has already demonstrated significant potential for application in scenarios such as precision assembly. Furthermore, the team has made a series of advancements in the fields of tactile perception and intelligent control.

The laboratory will conduct research centered on three key areas: dexterous manipulation, multimodal perception, and intelligent control. Employing a "mentor-plus-project" training model, it enables students to hone their practical skills through real-world industrial projects. The lab is dedicated to overcoming technical bottlenecks in precision robotics operations, thereby providing both talent support and technological reserves for industrial development.