The "AI Smart Hardware Innovation Day" concluded successfully in Luohu on June 30, marking a significant milestone for the technology ecosystem of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. File photo

The "AI Smart Hardware Innovation Day" concluded successfully in Luohu on June 30, marking a significant milestone for the technology ecosystem of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The event served as a high-energy platform for entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts to explore the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and global market expansion.

Designed to bridge the gap between conceptual ideas and commercial reality, the event attracted more than 100 participants, including high-profile industry leaders such as Lao Mai, founder of sspai.com, Chris Pereira, CEO of iMpact, and Wu Qiyu, China project director at HAX Accelerator.

Ye Fei, general manager of Plug and Play China GBA International Innovation Center, said that AI hardware is currently shifting from experimental prototypes to large-scale commercial deployment.

He reaffirmed the center’s commitment to acting as a "cross-border innovation hub," providing startups with end-to-end support, from supply chain coordination to navigating overseas markets.

The event followed a dual-session structure to provide a holistic experience.

The Venture Open Mic session tackled the "hard truths" of the industry. Speakers discussed critical themes such as supply chain risk management, building trust in international markets, and the ethical development of AI. Entrepreneurs shared raw, firsthand accounts of their product iteration journeys, offering practical strategies for survival and growth.

The second half, the AI Hardware Showcase session, shifted focus to tangible innovation. Six startups, including superbobo.com, Guangzhou Scymain AIoT Co., and CYBERSIGHT, demonstrated a diverse range of AI-integrated products.

Highlights included AI-powered companion robots for children, emotion-sensing brain solutions, cycling HUD glasses, and AI-enhanced plant monitors.

In a move away from traditional static exhibitions, the event featured an immersive voting session. Judges and attendees evaluated the demonstrated products across six categories, including user value, data security, and emotional appeal. This "people’s choice" format provided startups with immediate, professional feedback to help refine their products for market readiness.

The innovation day event is a flagship installment of the "Tech Talk" series under Luohu’s new "X-LIFE·Chuanghuo Luohu" brand. By fostering a cycle of "expression, experience, and feedback," the initiative aims to deepen the synergy between government resources, venture capital, and private enterprises.

As Luohu continues to position itself as a hub for high-quality tech development, the Plug and Play China GBA International Innovation Center plans to expand the "X-LIFE" series.

Future efforts will focus on attracting international innovation and supporting local ventures as they scale globally, ensuring the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area remains at the forefront of the global AI revolution.