On the afternoon of October 29th, the Center for Intelligent Autonomous Systems, Tsinghua University (THUIAS), held a working meeting in Conference Room 407 of the central main building. Twelve faculty members and industry representatives from the Department of Automation, Department of Automotive Engineering, Department of Computer Science and Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering and Research & Development Affairs Office, Tsinghua University, as well as TUSHOLDINGS attended the conference. It was presided over by Zhang Tao, director of the THUIAS and Department of Automation, Tsinghua University.

Zhang Tao started off by providing a summary of the status of preliminary work done by the Research Center in 2020, as well as the progress of work and achievements of each cross-functional team. Then, he reviewed the major achievements of the Industry-University-Research Alliance in recent years, and pointed out that despite the outbreak of COVID-19 this year, the work of the alliance has continued to progress and has been recognized by all parties. He also introduced the alliance’s short-term plans for 2021, which mainly include work of the board of directors, the recruitment of new members, and communications with members from industry. Finally, based on the current status of relevant fields in China, he offered suggestions on the direction of development and future expectations for THUIAS, which mainly include undertaking major national research projects and producing high-level interdisciplinary research outcomes.

The creation of a new cross-functional team named " Intelligent Autonomous Medical System" was approved and established during the meeting. Huang Gao, Director of the "Intelligent Autonomous Medical System" and an assistant professor from the Department of Automation at Tsinghua University, gave a detailed introduction of the team covering issues such as work objectives, core team members, research content, and expected output.

Representatives from TUSHOLDINGS said that as a key member of the Industry-University-Research Alliance of intelligent autonomous systems, TUSHOLDINGS will support the center's work by undertaking various activities and promoting the transfer of scientific and technological achievements. Representatives from the Research & Development Affairs Office introduced recent policy plans and guidelines of the University, and the measures taken by the University to promote the work of interdisciplinary institutions. Representatives from various departments also talked about the latest research progress of their teams and research work closely related to the Center.

The Scene of the Conference

The Center for Intelligent Autonomous Systems, Tsinghua University (THUIAS), is an interdisciplinary scientific research institution established by Tsinghua University in 2017. It is affiliated with the Department of Automation, and jointly built by the Department of Computer Science and Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Automotive Engineering, School of Medicine, School of Aerospace Engineering and Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University. Oriented towards the National Artificial Intelligence 2.0 Major Project, the center strives to achieve systematic breakthroughs in key technologies of intelligent autonomous systems in intelligent autonomous factories, service robots and typical intelligent autonomous systems in the fields of space, ground and ocean, and build an internationally leading research center for intelligent autonomous systems.